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The Water Margin (1972)

Shui hu zhuan (original title)
R | | Action , Drama | September 1973 (USA)
The Water Margin Poster
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 | 1 more credit »

Writers:

Guanzhong Luo (novel), Kuang Ni

Stars:

David Chiang, Lung Ti, Kuan Tai Chen | See full cast & crew »
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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 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 Pin Chang ... Tseng Tu
Yang Chang ... Little Whirlwind Chai Chin
Chuan Chen ... Tseng Kuei
See full cast »
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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.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

epic | martial arts | based on novel | See All (3) »

Genres:

Action | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

September 1973 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Seven Blows of the Dragon See more »

Filming Locations:

Clearwater Bay Studios, Hong Kong, China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shaw Brothers See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (restored) | (restored)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

Connections

Followed by Dong kai ji (1975) See more »

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User Reviews

Becomes more and more powerful
24 March 2007 | by unbrokenmetal – See all my reviews

Based on historical events of the 12th century, "Water Margin" tells the story of 108 heroes referred to (by their enemies) as the "Liangshan bandits". They want to fight against a corrupt government, and therefore they ask 2 famous fighters to join them. These 2 are reluctant at first, but get into trouble with the so-called law very soon. Thus they don't really have freedom of choice anymore.

"Water Margin" is a fine example of Eastern classics produced by Shaw Brothers who got a cast full of stars together including Tetsuro Tamba as Master Lu. The best role, however, went to David Chiang as his right hand man Yen Ching, the Young Dragon. With irresistible charm, he defeats anybody - from pretty ladies to fierce fighters. The movie begins slow, introducing countless characters, but becomes very powerful and gripping in the second half. One recurring theme of the musical score seems to be inspired by Carlo Rustichelli's music for "I quattro dell'Ave Maria", which reminds the audience once again how often western movies and kung-fu cinema influenced each other. "Water Margin" was later followed by the sequel "All Men Are Brothers".
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