This is the latest production by Zhang Ji Zhong the China maestro of wuxia pians, and completes Jin Yong’s Condor Trilogy which started with The Legend of the Condor Heroes, follwed by The Return of the Condor Heroes.
HSDS09 stars Deng Chao as Zhang Wuji, Ady An as Zhao Min, and Liu Jing as Zhao Zhirou. The story centres on the legendary set of weapons comprising of the Heaven Sword and the Dragon Sabre which were forged by Yang Guo and Huang Rong
This story takes place roughly 100 years before the Qin Shihuang Di launched his campaign to conquer all the other states during the Warring States Period of China’s history. The states during this period of constant conflicts were Qin (?) Qi (?), Yan (?), Chu (?), Han (?), Zhao (?), and Wei (?). The Qin state at the start of the series was weak both militarily as well as economically although the drafted peasant soldiers displayed an unusually strong martial spirit.
Qin’s main antagonizer was the Wei state which was the strongest amongst all the states at that time and sought to subjugate the Qin state. Into this picture came a young scholar, Shang Yang (??) from Wei who was welcomed to Qin by Duke Xiao and was made his Chief Advisor. Shang Yang instituted wide ranging reforms from laws of the state to agricultural reforms. The basic tenant of his reforms follow that the Laws of the state are paramount over the people regardless of rank. He took land reforms to the extreme of taking land from the nobility and giving them to the peasants as private land.
Da Tang You Xia Zhuan (Paladins in Troubled Times)
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Adapted by China director/producer Zhang Ji Zhong from Liang Yu Sheng’s wuxia trilogy and released in Aug 2008. This is the producer’s latest work right after his epic Bi Xue Jian.
It tells the story of Tie Mo Le’s adventure in wu ling as he hunts the killer of his family. Brought up from young by a leader in the Flying Tiger Mountain clan he was schooled in martial arts but endowed with a hot temper that controlled him.
He was repeatedly defeated by the henchmen surrounding his sworn enemy An Lu Shan but fortunately encountered a very highly skilled begger who imparted to him various martial arts skills. As he became better in his martial arts he also was able to restrained his bad temper. He made friends with other righteous fighters as well as some court officials of the Tang Dynasty.
A classic tale of a chivalrous swordswoman seeking revenge and ended up falling for the son of her sworn enemy. A further sub-plot of the tragic romance between a Princess and her imperial guard captain.
Very unique ending theme song.
Rating: 3.5 of 5
Great acting from all except for some very draggy moments.
Chu Liu Xiang
Ken Chu of F4 makes his period drama debut in the highly anticipated wuxia series Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi (”The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang”). Dashing, carefree, and chivalrous swordsman Chu Liu Xiang has previously been portrayed by stars like Adam Cheng, Michael Miu, Ti Lung, and Richie Jen, and this time Ken Chu brings his own unique charisma to the role. In comparison to previous depictions of Chu Liu Xiang, the storied hero walks closer to earth in this drama, painting a more realistic character who feels, falters, and at times fails, but always stays true to his heart and principles. Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi co-stars idol drama heartthrob Kingone Wang (Why Why Love), Mainland starlet Hu Jing, and Hong Kong television star Benny Chan Ho Man (Gods of Honour). Featuring a talented cast, high-caliber special effects, and location shooting in Xinjiang, Yunnan, and Hengdian, Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi sets a new high standard for fusion period dramas.
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