THE REBELLIOUS REIGN (1980) boasts a good historical kung fu plot, with court intrigue and familial rivalry reminiscent of Chang Cheh's THE HEROIC ONES and BLOOD BROTHERS. Jimmy Lee (aka Lung Fong) plays Ming Kang Yau, a kung fu expert who allies himself with the 4th Prince (Tsui Siu Keung/Norman Chu) in a struggle for power as the Emperor is dying during the Ching dynasty. The Emperor has willed succession to the 14th prince, but 4th Prince has Ming steal the chest containing the will and then forces the Chamberlain to open the chest so he can alter the will with ink strokes in order to give him the power of succession. Ming eventually breaks with the 4th Prince and joins the patriots opposing the Ching dynasty. There are lots of short but exciting fights throughout the film, leading up to a ferocious final battle, all well staged and fought. There's a bleak, unhappy ending.
This is the best role I've seen Jimmy Lee (GREEN JADE STATUETTE) play, while Norman Chu (THE SWORD) is great as always. Chien Yuet San (THUNDERING MANTIS) plays Jimmy Lee's teacher and Kwan Young Moon (SUPER POWER) plays the 4th Prince's chief henchman.
The sets and costumes are quite impressive for a comparatively low-budget film. Unlike Chang Cheh's films, however, there are far fewer extras, which means that large armies are frequently discussed, but we never actually see them. Nor are there any spectacular weapons like we used to see in Shaw Bros. films. There is an original music score, but it's too loud and bombastic to be truly effective. Overall, though, this is quite a rousing historical drama of a type that had become increasingly rare by 1980. Lo Wei produced the film while Fong Ching is credited as director. According to `The Essential Guide to Hong Kong Movies,' this was originally written for Bruce Lee.
