San suk san geen hap (1983)

Director:

Hark Tsui

Writers:

Shui Chung Yuet (writer)
Jerrold Mundis (writer)

Release Date:

5 February 1983 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Horror | Adventure | Action | Fantasy

Plot:

Chinese soldiers in an ancient civil war get caught up in a fantastical quest to save the universe.

Plot Keywords:

Mountain | Magic | Ghost | Quest | Sword

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Biao Yuen	...	Ti Ming Chi
Hoi Mang	...	Yi Chen (as Hoi Man)
Adam Cheng	...	Ting Yin
Moon Lee	...	Mu Sang, Countess's Guard
Brigitte Lin	...	Countess
Damian Lau	...	Abbott Hsiao Yu
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo	...	Fat Man / Chang Mei
Judy Ongg	...	Li I chi
Norman Chu	...	Heaven's Blade
Hark Tsui	...	Guy fighting Fat Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hark-On Fung	...	Evil Disciple
Kwan-Li Shen	...	Chi Wu-Shuang

Also Known As:

Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Xin shu shan jian xia (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Zu Mountain: New Legend of the Zu Mountain Swordsmen (Hong Kong: English title) (literal title)
Zu Time Warrior (International: English title) (dubbed version)
Zu Warriors
Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

USA:95 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG | South Korea:15 (2006) | USA:Unrated

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Best of the Martial Arts Films (1990)

The films which finally woke up the West

If you are a fan of Hong Kong action films and you haven't seen this i would suggest you track a copy down right now.

As an opening paragraph it sums up the importance of this landmark title. Conceived by its' makers as a production to rival Western films for technical (behind the camera) as well as beating them technically in front as well.

Although it fails to rival the level of sophistication with its' effects (due to bane of all Hong Kong films, its' limited budget)to match those of Hollywood films of its' time is irrelevant, it looks and feels so Far Eastern as well as using cutting edge (for 1982)it is simply unique.

The story is set in mythical times in China, where constant wars threaten to consume everyone, soldier or otherwise. One such soldier (ably played by Yuen Biao) manages to alienate himself from his commanders and ends up getting lost in the mystical region of Zu, fabled for its' magic mountain.

He becomes embroiled in a quest to find a pair of magical swords to kill a blood demon which threatens the whole of humanity. The blood demon draws its' power from pain and suffering and there is enough in the world to allow it to destroy all mankind.

The film contains so much energy, unparallelled visual flair and a cast which has the skill and experience to make it all work. The directors' vision and imagination are easy to see and appreciate, if you take the time to look. It is too easy to watch the action and miss the subtleties. It is a film which is difficult to describe, but unforgettable once watched.