Xiao ao jiang hu (1990)

Director:

King Hu

Writers:

Louis Cha (novel) and
Man-Leung Kwan (writer)

Release Date:

22 May 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Action | History | Romance

Plot:

When a scroll containing valuable martial arts secrets is stolen from the Emperor, an army detachment is sent to recover it...

Plot Keywords:

Martial Arts | Kung Fu | Swordsman | Wuxia | Historical

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Samuel Hui	...	Ling Wu Chung
Cecilia Yip	...	Kiddo
Jacky Cheung	...	Au Yeung
Sharla Cheung	...	Ren Ying Ying
Fennie Yuen	...	Blue Phoenix (as Fanny Yuen)
Siu-Ming Lau	...	Ngok (as Siu Ming Lau)
Ma Wu	...	Lau (as Ma Wo)
Ching-Ying Lam	...	Kuk (as Ching Ying Lam)
Wah Yuen	...	Zhor
Shun Lau	...	The Eunuch
Ming Man Cheung	...	Luk Ta Yau

Also Known As:

Swordsman (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Hong Kong | Taiwan

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:PG | Germany:16 | South Korea:15

Company:

Film Workshop

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Bu wen sao (1992)

Great adventure movie!

When talking about the Asian movie "Swordsman", people usually tend to think about Jet Li, who stars the first sequel. This first movie however is better in every department.

First and foremost, while still being a wuxia movie, the Swordman is paced, shot and cut in such a way that everyone can enjoy and appreciate it. The story is clear and you don't have to do guesswork on what's what, and why, like with some Asian movies with insufficient translation or constrained scenes. The adventure unfolds effortlessly and feels whole, which has to be a miracle of sorts when considering the difficulties it faced while in production (changing directors).

The movie has such a good soundtrack that the themes are used in the latter movies too, and features few music scenes which add to the story very nicely and let's you get a breather between all the adventuring.

Sam Hui obviously isn't a martial arts kinda guy and comparisons between Jet Li and him are a bit silly, but on his defence, he doesn't shy away from jumping around and about. He displays his physical side more than adequately. He's a comedy actor and while Jet Li portrays a pretty solid and cheerful Ling too, I prefer Hui's who is more human and softer around the edges.

Because the action isn't anywhere as fierce and raw as in the sequels, this first Swordman movie is much more viewer friendly.

This is not an action movie! This is an adventure movie!