The Water Margin (1972)

Tells the story of the 108 Heroes who stood up against a corrupt government. Each hero has his own unique fighting skill, but they are all willing to die to uphold justice.

Directors:

Cheh Chang, Hsueh Li Pao

Writers:

Guanzhong Luo (novel), Kuang Ni

Stars:

David Chiang, Lung Ti, Kuan Tai Chen

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
David Chiang	...	Yen Ching
Lung Ti	...	Tiger Killer Wu Sung
Kuan Tai Chen	...	Tattooed Dragon Shih Chien
Chung Wang	...	Shih Hsiu
Tetsurô Tanba	...	Jade Unicorn Lu Chun I
Feng Ku	...	Welcome Rain Sung Chiang
Lily Ho	...	Green Snake Lu San Niang
Toshio Kurosawa	...	Shih Wen Kung
Feng Chin	...	Clever Star Wu Yung
Miao Ching	...	Tseng Chang Kuen
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chi Ping Chang	...	(as Chi Ping Cheung)
Hsi Chang
Pin Chang	...	Tseng Tu
Yang Chang	...	Little Whirlwind Chai Chin
Chuan Chen	...	Tseng Kuei

Storyline

Tells the story of the 108 Heroes who stood up against a corrupt government. Each hero has his own unique fighting skill, but they are all willing to die to uphold justice.

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Plot Keywords:

epic | martial arts | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

September 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Seven Blows of the Dragon

Filming Locations:

Clearwater Bay Studios, Hong Kong, China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shaw Brothers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 120 min (restored) 125 min (restored)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Selected by Quentin Tarantino for the First Quentin Tarantino Film Fest in Austin, Texas, 1996.

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Box: Christmas Evil (2011)

User Reviews

A Classic...

This movie was released in the US in the mid-seventies as Seven Blows of the Dragon as there are seven bandit warriors, though barbaric, are considered the heroes. They have names like Young Dragon (David Chiang (the only cast member I recognize), Tigress, Red Devil, etc. There are also a few "old-master" types who provide much of the drama and action.

Seven Blows of the Dragon was one of the biggest budgeted Hong Kong films of the time, and the story is a true epic scale presentation. Unlike most movies of the time inspired by Bruce Lee films, where the lone hero usually battles against bad guys with a revenge style motive, Seven Blows of the Dragon involves the old masters, the mountain outlaw band, and marauding kung fu armies, and the clash in the end features all three parties going at it, until only the old masters make for a satisfying conclusion.

The version of Seven Blows I saw was a pan and scanned cable TV print which had horrible video transfer quality. Perhaps someday the film will get an international release in its widescreen glory. The dubbing is not bad for a movie of this type. The voices are a little cartoonish, but somehow it adds to the larger than life characters portrayed in the film.

Seven Blows of the Dragon is a classic of the genre. The martial arts action is non-stop, and the film captures the flavor of ancient China. I don't believe it's currently available on video, but check your old mom'n pop videostore for a copy from the eighties. Or keep your eyes peeled on late night TV. I saw it on TNT a couple years back at 3 in the morning.