The Legend (1993)

This Hong Kong martial-arts extravaganza tells of evil emperors and true love. The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. ... See full summary »

Director:

Corey Yuen

Writers:

Kin Chung Chan, Susan Godfrey (english adaptation)

Stars:

Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jet Li	...	Fong Sai Yuk
Josephine Siao	...	Miu Chui Fa
Michelle Reis	...	Ting Ting
Wenzhuo Zhao	...	Governor of Kau Man
Sung Young Chen	...	Tiger Lui
Sibelle Hu	...	Siu-wan
Adam Cheng	...	Chan Ka Lok
Kong Chu	...	Fong Tak
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lung Chan	...	Macu
Xian Gao	...	Support
Tao Guo	...	Bully
Yueming Pan	...	Background Actor
Yankai Yu	...	Yu Tung

Storyline

This Hong Kong martial-arts extravaganza tells of evil emperors and true love. The secret Red Lotus Flower Society is committed to the overthrow of the evil Manchu Emperor and his minions. One of his Governors is sent on a mission to retrieve a list of members of that secret society. Meanwhile, Canton kung fu practitioner Fong Sai-Yuk falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant, recently moved to Canton. Her father, in an attempt to gain influence in the region and thus improve his business, offers his daughter in marriage to the winner of a kung-fu contest. Some interesting gender role-reversals take place during a 'comedy of errors.'

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Plot Keywords:

platform | kung fu | emperor | secret society | martial arts | 

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Taglines:

Fast. Furious. Deadly.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

A comparison of the Hong Kong and American versions of Fong Sai-yuk illustrates the impact of Miramax's tinkering and its effect on the viewing experience. Directed by Corey Yuen Kuei and starring Jet Li, Fong Sai-yuk involves the youthful adventures of the titular hero, a legendary Cantonese martial artist who was trained by his mother and inspired several series of films. Miramax released its version on DVD through its Dimension label, re-titling it The Legend, cutting approximately ten minutes, and adding a new score and a English dubbed dialogue. An analysis of two sample scenes - one involving changes in music and dialogue, the other also featuring excised material - suggests that the American version is not only more taut, inoffensive, and consistent in tone than the Hong Kong original, but also offers a substantially different interpretation of character motivations and relationships. It is also simply not as funny.

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Quotes

Fong Sai-Yuk: [assaults "intruder"] Who are you?
Mother Fong: [removes disguise] I'm your mother.
Fong Sai-Yuk: Wow. Mom! You look just like a man!
Mother Fong: Yeah, and I just won Tiger Lu's daughter's hand in marriage.
Fong Sai-Yuk: Does Dad know?
Mother Fong: Nooo!

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Crazy Credits

In the original Hong Kong cut, the final scene has Tiger throwing the Red Flower scroll into the air where it unfurls. The closing credits then roll down a parchment labeled "Red Flower Society Name List", as if the entire cast and crew were members of it.

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Alternate Versions

UK version was cut by 1 sec. for sight of real animal cruelty (horse tripped so that it falls forward onto head) due to BBFC policy and the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.

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Connections

Followed by The Legend II (1993)

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Soundtracks

Excerpts
from Shu gim yan sau luk (1976)

User Reviews

This is the film that made me fall in love with Hong Kong cinema

Unless you believe that all films must be deep and meaningful, you'll love this film. For just pure entertainment, this film is hard to beat. This beats most action films out of the west. Its special effects are due totally to the stars' martial arts skills, not some gazillion dollar budget and special editing. The plot is wonderful. Besides, who can resist a film where the hero, if he's is in danger, will call on Mom to beat up the enemy? Sit back, get out the popcorn, and be prepared to be wildly entertained.

Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Release Date:

4 March 1993 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

The Legend

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eastern Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 95 min (USA)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1