The Swordsman (1990)
The Swordsman or Swordsman (Chinese : 笑傲江湖, Pinyin : Xiào Ào Jiāng Hú) is a 1990 Hong Kong martial arts-action film. King Hu was credited as the director but he had allegedly left the project, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark. The film is based on Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The theme song of the film, Chong Hoi Yat Sing Siu / Cang Hai Yi Sheng Xiao (滄海一聲笑) or "A Laugh At The World" aka "Hero of Heroes" aka "A Single Laughter in the Sea"), was written by Wong Jim and performed by lead actor Sam Hui.
Swordsman is a film that can stand on its own, but it works even better as a prequel for viewers who have only seen Swordsman II and/or III. The film provides a lot of helpful backstory, such as how Ling learned his distinctive swordplay style, how he became friendly with the Sun Moon Sect, why he and his buddies are retiring from the martial world in II, where the song "Hero of Heroes" ("A Single Laughter in the Sea") comes from, and ultimately how much blood was shed in pursuit of the Sacred Scroll before it fell into the hands of Asia the Invincible.
Though Fennie Yuen is the only actor who appears in both films as the same character, the difference in casts shouldn't be a turnoff for the uninitiated. Sam Hui and company acquit themselves quite nicely in their respective roles, turning in several noteworthy performances.
One of the more interesting aspects of the film is the fact that Swordsman has the peculiar distinction of having six different directors! Though rumors of "creative differences" abound, the official story is that original director King Hu became ill and had to be replaced midway through shooting. To complete the film, Tsui Hark split up directorial duties between himself, Ching Siu-Tung, and Raymond Lee. Though uncredited, Ann Hui and Andrew Kam also lent helping hands to finish the movie. In all this confusion, it's a miracle that Swordsman is even a coherent film, but even more amazing is the fact that it's a pretty good one, too.
As the opening statement of the film suggests, this film has an underlying message. One character laments, "Another lot of victims under the sword. We are all made of flesh and blood. Why do we make such a mess of our own world?" As evidenced by the unrelenting quest for the Sacred Scroll, the film suggests that all the problems of the world can be traced back to the guiding principle embraced by many of the film's characters, the obsession with "Name" recognition. The movie shows that the true "Hero of Heroes" is the one who does not seek recognition for his actions. It is remarkable that Swordsman, a film that could be written off as mindless HK entertainment, can still retain some moral resonance. (Calvin McMillin 2002)
Plot
During the Ming Dynasty, the Sunflower Manual (葵花寶典) was stolen from the Chinese palace and a team of Jinyi Wei is sent to retrieve it. They attack Lin Zhennan and his son, Lin Pingzhi, and the Lins separate to avoid their pursuers. Lin Zhennan meets Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan from the Mount Hua Sect, requesting them to inform his son about where the manual is hidden. Just then, Zuo Lengchan appears and a fight ensues, but Linghu and Yue manage to escape.
They journey to meet Yue Buqun at a retirement ceremony and encounter Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang along the way. Linghu strikes up a friendship with them and they perform their musical piece Xiaoao Jianghu (笑傲江湖). On the day of the ceremony, Zuo shows up and attempts to force Liu to hand over Linghu, accusing Liu of conspiring with the Demonic Cult. Liu and Qu manage to fight their way out despite being surrounded by several enemies. At the same time, Linghu is wounded by Zuo and he escapes and hides near the river. He hears Liu and Qu playing their musical piece and finds them. Liu and Qu present Linghu with their instruments and the music score.
Cast
* Sam Hui as Linghu Chong
* Cecilia Yip as Yue Lingshan
* Jacky Cheung as Ouyang Quan
* Sharla Cheung as Ren Yingying
* Fennie Yuen as Lan Fenghuang
* Lau Siu-ming as Yue Buqun
* Yuen Wah as Zuo Lengchan
* Lam Ching-ying as Qu Yang
* Wu Ma as Liu Zhengfeng
* Lau Shun as Gu Jinfu
Awards
10th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Winner - Best Action Choreography (Ching Siu-Tung)
• Winner - Best Song ("A Single Laughter in the Sea", performed by Sam Hui Koon-Kit)
• Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau)
• Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Lau Shun)
• Nomination - Best Editing (David Wu Dai-Wai, Marco Mak Chi-Sin)
• Nomination - Best Art Direction (Leung Wah-Sang)
• Nomination - Best Original Score (James Wong Jim, Tai Lok-Man)
27th Annual Golden Horse Awards
• Winner - Outstanding Feature
• Winner - Best Supporting Actor (Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau)
• Winner - Best Song ("A Single Laughter in the Sea", performed by Sam Hui Koon-Kit)
Box Office
The film grossed HK $16,052,552 at the Hong Kong box office.
From Wikipedia, LoveHKFilm.com
Swordsman is a film that can stand on its own, but it works even better as a prequel for viewers who have only seen Swordsman II and/or III. The film provides a lot of helpful backstory, such as how Ling learned his distinctive swordplay style, how he became friendly with the Sun Moon Sect, why he and his buddies are retiring from the martial world in II, where the song "Hero of Heroes" ("A Single Laughter in the Sea") comes from, and ultimately how much blood was shed in pursuit of the Sacred Scroll before it fell into the hands of Asia the Invincible.
Though Fennie Yuen is the only actor who appears in both films as the same character, the difference in casts shouldn't be a turnoff for the uninitiated. Sam Hui and company acquit themselves quite nicely in their respective roles, turning in several noteworthy performances.
One of the more interesting aspects of the film is the fact that Swordsman has the peculiar distinction of having six different directors! Though rumors of "creative differences" abound, the official story is that original director King Hu became ill and had to be replaced midway through shooting. To complete the film, Tsui Hark split up directorial duties between himself, Ching Siu-Tung, and Raymond Lee. Though uncredited, Ann Hui and Andrew Kam also lent helping hands to finish the movie. In all this confusion, it's a miracle that Swordsman is even a coherent film, but even more amazing is the fact that it's a pretty good one, too.
As the opening statement of the film suggests, this film has an underlying message. One character laments, "Another lot of victims under the sword. We are all made of flesh and blood. Why do we make such a mess of our own world?" As evidenced by the unrelenting quest for the Sacred Scroll, the film suggests that all the problems of the world can be traced back to the guiding principle embraced by many of the film's characters, the obsession with "Name" recognition. The movie shows that the true "Hero of Heroes" is the one who does not seek recognition for his actions. It is remarkable that Swordsman, a film that could be written off as mindless HK entertainment, can still retain some moral resonance. (Calvin McMillin 2002)
Plot
During the Ming Dynasty, the Sunflower Manual (葵花寶典) was stolen from the Chinese palace and a team of Jinyi Wei is sent to retrieve it. They attack Lin Zhennan and his son, Lin Pingzhi, and the Lins separate to avoid their pursuers. Lin Zhennan meets Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan from the Mount Hua Sect, requesting them to inform his son about where the manual is hidden. Just then, Zuo Lengchan appears and a fight ensues, but Linghu and Yue manage to escape.
They journey to meet Yue Buqun at a retirement ceremony and encounter Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang along the way. Linghu strikes up a friendship with them and they perform their musical piece Xiaoao Jianghu (笑傲江湖). On the day of the ceremony, Zuo shows up and attempts to force Liu to hand over Linghu, accusing Liu of conspiring with the Demonic Cult. Liu and Qu manage to fight their way out despite being surrounded by several enemies. At the same time, Linghu is wounded by Zuo and he escapes and hides near the river. He hears Liu and Qu playing their musical piece and finds them. Liu and Qu present Linghu with their instruments and the music score.
Cast
* Sam Hui as Linghu Chong
* Cecilia Yip as Yue Lingshan
* Jacky Cheung as Ouyang Quan
* Sharla Cheung as Ren Yingying
* Fennie Yuen as Lan Fenghuang
* Lau Siu-ming as Yue Buqun
* Yuen Wah as Zuo Lengchan
* Lam Ching-ying as Qu Yang
* Wu Ma as Liu Zhengfeng
* Lau Shun as Gu Jinfu
Awards
10th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Winner - Best Action Choreography (Ching Siu-Tung)
• Winner - Best Song ("A Single Laughter in the Sea", performed by Sam Hui Koon-Kit)
• Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau)
• Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Lau Shun)
• Nomination - Best Editing (David Wu Dai-Wai, Marco Mak Chi-Sin)
• Nomination - Best Art Direction (Leung Wah-Sang)
• Nomination - Best Original Score (James Wong Jim, Tai Lok-Man)
27th Annual Golden Horse Awards
• Winner - Outstanding Feature
• Winner - Best Supporting Actor (Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau)
• Winner - Best Song ("A Single Laughter in the Sea", performed by Sam Hui Koon-Kit)
Box Office
The film grossed HK $16,052,552 at the Hong Kong box office.
From Wikipedia, LoveHKFilm.com
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