Swordsman II

Last updated

Swordsman II
Swordsman II.jpg
Theatrical poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 笑傲江湖之東方不敗
Simplified Chinese 笑傲江湖之东方不敗
Directed by Ching Siu-tung
Screenplay byHanson Chan
Tang Pik-yin
Tsui Hark
Based on The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
by Louis Cha
Produced byTsui Hark
Starring Jet Li
Brigitte Lin
Rosamund Kwan
Michelle Reis
CinematographyTom Lau
Edited by Marco Mak
Music by Richard Yuen
Production
companies
Distributed byGolden Princess Amusement
Release date
  • 26 June 1992 (1992-06-26)
Running time
107 minutes (HK)
99 minutes (U.S)
112 minutes (Taiwan)
CountryHong Kong
LanguagesCantonese
Japanese
Sichuanese
Mandarin-dubbed version
Box officeHK$34,462,861

Swordsman II, also known as The Legend of the Swordsman, is a 1992 Hong Kong wuxia film very loosely adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer . It was the second part of a trilogy: preceded by The Swordsman (1990) and followed by The East Is Red (1993). Directed by Ching Siu-tung, [1] Swordsman II starred Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Rosamund Kwan and Michelle Reis in the leading roles. None of the original cast from the previous film return except Fennie Yuen.

Contents

Plot

Linghu Chong, Yue Lingshan and members of the Mount Hua School are planning to retire from the jianghu (martial artists' community). They learn that Dongfang Bubai has seized control of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and is secretly plotting with some Japanese rōnin to rebel against the Ming Empire and dominate China. Dongfang Bubai had castrated himself in order to master the skills in the Sunflower Manual, and his appearance has become more feminine, even though he is now a formidable martial artist.

Linghu Chong meets Dongfang Bubai by chance without knowing his true identity, mistakes him for a beautiful young woman, and falls in love with "her". Dongfang Bubai knocks out Linghu Chong while he is not looking and imprisons him in an underground dungeon. In the dungeon, by coincidence, Linghu Chong meets Ren Woxing, Ren Yingying's father and the former leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. They escape from captivity together. One night, while Linghu Chong is distracted by Dongfang Bubai's lover Shishi, Dongfang tracks down his Mount Hua School fellows and kills them.

Linghu Chong brings Yue Lingshan, Ren Yingying, Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian with him to confront Dongfang Bubai at Black Woods Cliff. In the ensuing battle, Dongfang Bubai apparently dies after refusing Linghu Chong's help and falling off the cliff. Ren Woxing regains control of the cult and starts killing the traitors who defected to Dongfang Bubai. Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan secretly escape with help from Xiang Wentian and Ren Yingying because they know that Ren Woxing cannot tolerate them.

Cast

Alternative versions

The United States version has nine minutes of the original film cut and was released under the title Legend of the Swordsman. It is dubbed in English and retains the original music score.

The Hong Kong version is in Cantonese and it retains the nine minutes of extended footage and gory violence.

The Taiwanese version, which is dubbed in Mandarin, contains an additional four minutes of rare extended and gory footage that was removed in the United States and Hong Kong releases, bringing the total runtime to 112 minutes. It has some different music scores and features Jet Li's original voice. It has aired on Chinese Television System many times.

Production

In the Mandarin-dubbed version of the film, Rosamund Kwan and Fennie Yuen speak Sichuanese instead of Standard Mandarin. This was meant to enhance the fact that their characters are of the Miao ethnic group.

Music

The original soundtrack album for the film, "Ching Hsia Lin/ Swordsman 2" (traditional Chinese: 東方不敗 - 林青霞 電影音樂紀實; simplified Chinese: 东方不败 -林青霞 电影音乐纪实; pinyin: Dōngfāng bù bài - línqīngxiá diànyǐng yīnyuè jìshí) was released by BMG Music Taiwan in 1992. It contains 20 tracks with 3 sound recordings at the scene.

Ching Hsia Lin/ Swordsman II OST
東方不敗-林青霞 電影音樂紀實
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released1992
LanguageMandarin
Cantonese
Label BMG Taiwan Music Inc
No.Traditional Chinese titleSimplified Chinese titlePinyinEnglish translationRemarks
1"東方不敗就在附近""东方不败就在附近"Dōngfāng bù bài jiù zài fùjìn"Dongfang Bubai is nearby"Sound recording at the scene.
2只記今朝笑(粵語)只记今朝笑(粤语)Zhǐ jì jīnzhāo xiàoOnly remember the smile todayEnding theme; Cantonese version (vocals by Rosanne Lui).
3退隱退隐TuìyǐnRetirement
4斷弦(粵語)断弦(粤语)DuànxiánBroken stringCantonese version (vocals by 周小君).
5"原來是你""原来是你"Yuánlái shì nǐ"It's you"Sound recording at the scene.
6伏擊伏击FújíAmbush
7邂逅邂逅XièhòuEncounter
8燒寶典烧宝典Shāo bǎodiǎnBurning the scroll
9濃情浓情Nóng qíngPassion
10天地醉(音樂版)天地醉(音乐版)Tiāndì zuìDrunkenness of heaven and earth
11"望青霞""望青霞"Wàng qīng xiá"Looking at Brigitte"Sound recording at the scene.
12天地醉(國語)天地醉(国语)Tiāndì zuìDrunkenness of heaven and earthMandarin version performed by Brigitte Lin (not in the film).
13告別告别GàobiéBiding farewell
14比劍比剑Bǐ jiànSword match
15只記今朝笑(國語)只记今朝笑(国语)Zhǐ jì jīnzhāo xiàoOnly remember the smile todayEnding theme; Mandarin version performed by Brigitte Lin.
16圍攻围攻WéigōngLaying siege
17傾心倾心QīngxīnAdmiration
18曲諧曲谐Qū xiéHarmonic tune
19斷弦(國語)断弦(国语)DuànxiánBroken stringMandarin version
20只記今朝笑(音樂版)只记今朝笑(音乐版)Zhǐ jì jīnzhāo xiàoOnly remember the smile todayMusic version

The theme song from The Swordsman , Chong Hoi Yat Sing Siu (traditional Chinese :滄海一聲笑; simplified Chinese :沧海一声笑; pinyin :Cānghǎi Yī Shēng Xiào; Jyutping :Cong1-hoi2 Jat1 Sing1 Siu3; lit. 'A Sound of Laughter in the Vast Sea'), performed in Cantonese by Samuel Hui in the first film, was played in a few scenes in Swordsman II.

Reception

Critical reception

Brigitte Lin's performance was listed as one of the "Great Performances" by Richard Corliss under TIME magazine's "All-TIME 100 Movies". [2] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 71% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 6.79/10. [3]

Box office

The film grossed HK$34,462,861 at the Hong Kong box office and remains Jet Li's highest-grossing film in Hong Kong to date.

Accolades

AwardDate of CeremonyCategoryRecipient(s) and Nominee(s)Result
12th Hong Kong Film Awards 23 April 1993 Best Actress Brigitte Lin Nominated
Best Film Editing Marco Mak Nominated
Best Art Direction James Leung, Chung Yee-fungNominated
Best Costume Make Up Design William Chang, Bruce YuWon
Best Action Choreography Tony Ching, Yuen Bun, Ma Yuk-sing, Cheung Yiu-singNominated
Best Original Film Score Richard YuenNominated
Best Original Film Song 只記今朝笑—Swordsman II
  • Composer: James Wong
  • Lyricist: James Wong
  • Singer: Rosanne Lui
Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brigitte Lin</span> Taiwanese actress

Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia is a Taiwanese actress. She is regarded as an icon of Chinese language cinema for her extensive and varied roles in both Taiwanese and Hong Kong films.

<i>The Smiling, Proud Wanderer</i> 1967 wuxia novel by Jin Yong

The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong. It was first serialised in Hong Kong in the newspaper Ming Pao from 20 April 1967 to 12 October 1969. The Chinese title of the novel, Xiao Ao Jiang Hu, literally means to live a carefree life in a mundane world of strife. Alternate English translations of the title include The Wandering Swordsman, Laughing in the Wind, The Peerless Gallant Errant, and The Proud and Gallant Wanderer. Another alternative title, State of Divinity, is used for some of the novel's adaptations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosamund Kwan</span> Hong Kong actress

Rosamund Kwan Chi Lam is a Hong Kong former actress, best known for starring as the female lead "Thirteenth Aunt" in the 1990s Once Upon a Time in China film series. She had since retired from acting in 2007.

<i>Laughing in the Wind</i> Chinese TV series or program

Laughing in the Wind is a 2001 Chinese television series produced by Zhang Jizhong, starring Li Yapeng and Xu Qing in the leading roles. The series is an adaptation of Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was first broadcast on CCTV in China in 2001.

<i>The Swordsman</i> (1990 film) 1990 Hong Kong film

The Swordsman, also known as Swordsman, is a 1990 Hong Kong wuxia film. King Hu was credited as the director but allegedly left the project midway, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark. The film is loosely adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The film was followed by two sequels: Swordsman II (1992) and The East Is Red (1993).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dongfang Bubai</span> Fictional character

Dongfang Bubai, literally "Invincible East", is a fictional character in the wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer by Jin Yong. He is the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult (日月神教), an "unorthodox" martial arts school. In his quest to dominate the wulin, he castrated himself to fulfil the prerequisite for learning the skills in a martial arts manual known as the Sunflower Manual (葵花寶典), and became a formidable martial artist after mastering those skills. His castration and supreme prowess in martial arts make him one of the most memorable characters in Jin Yong's wuxia universe even though he appears in only one chapter of the novel. His name has also become virtually synonymous with homosexuality and LGBT sexual orientations in Chinese popular culture.

<i>The Legend of Brown Sugar Chivalries</i> 2008 Taiwanese television drama series

The Legend of Brown Sugar Chivalries, alias Kungfu Macchiato, is a Taiwanese television drama series, broadcast by Star TV in 2008. This show features most members from the Taiwanese music bands, Lollipop, Hey Girl, Choc7, and guest stars actresses Amanda Chou, Carmen Tang, Michelle Zhang, and FanFan.

Herman Kwan Hoi-San was a Hong Kong actor. His English name was Herman Kwan. Kwan started off as a Cantonese opera actor in street theatre before joining New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團). He also started singing for early Hong Kong film soundtracks and moved on to act in films, mostly adaption of opera in Cantonese. He became famous and acted in many lead roles. When Hong Kong films started to move towards Mandarin, Kwan's career faltered and joined TVB and acted in various roles. Directors and filmmakers rediscovered his talent and cast him in many supporting roles in films. In 2001, Kwan suffered a stroke and was left mute and paralysed. He died in 2006.

The Five Mountain Sword Schools Alliance is a fictional alliance formed by five "orthodox" martial arts schools in the wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer by Jin Yong. The five schools specialise in swordplay and are based on the Five Great Mountains in Taoism: Mount Hua, Mount Tai, (South) Mount Heng, (North) Mount Heng and Mount Song. The alliance was initially established to counter the "evil" Sun Moon Holy Cult. However, as the story progresses, the alliance ultimately disintegrates due to mutual distrust and infighting.

<i>Return of the One-Armed Swordsman</i> 1969 Hong Kong film

Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, also known as One-Armed Swordsman Return, is a 1969 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio. The film is a sequel to the 1967 film The One-Armed Swordsman, with Jimmy Wang and Lisa Chiao Chiao reprising their roles.

<i>The Legendary Swordsman</i> Singaporean TV series or program

The Legendary Swordsman is a Singaporean television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was first broadcast on TCS-8 in Singapore in 2000. It stars Steve Ma, Fann Wong, Ivy Lee, Chew Chor Meng, Jacelyn Tay, Florence Tan, Chen Tianwen, Priscelia Chan & Zheng Geping as the casts of the series.

<i>State of Divinity</i> (2000 TV series) Chinese TV series or program

State of Divinity is a Taiwanese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was first broadcast on CTV in Taiwan in 2000.

The Proud Youth is a 1978 Hong Kong film loosely based on Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, directed by Sun Chung and starred Wong Yue, Shih Szu, Michael Chan and Ling Yun.

<i>The East Is Red</i> (1993 film) 1993 Hong Kong film

The East Is Red, is a 1993 Hong Kong wuxia film. The main character in the film is loosely based on Dongfang Bubai, a character in Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The film was produced by Tsui Hark, was co-directed by Ching Siu-tung and Raymond Lee and starred Brigitte Lin, Joey Wong and Yu Rongguang. The film is regarded as a sequel to The Swordsman and Swordsman II.

<i>Swordsman</i> (TV series) Chinese TV series or program

Swordsman is a 2013 Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The series is written and produced by Yu Zheng, and stars Wallace Huo, Joe Chen, Yuan Shanshan, Chen Xiao and Yang Rong. Shooting started on 24 March 2015 in Xiandu, Jinyun County, Lishui, Zhejiang. It was first aired in China on Hunan Television from 6 February to 4 March 2013. The plot deviates significantly from the novel, with Dongfang Bubai depicted as a woman and having a romantic affair with Linghu Chong.

Kwan Shan was a Hong Kong film actor. Kwan appeared as a romantic lead actor in Mandarin-language films created in Hong Kong, especially during the 1960s. His roles included several Shaw Brothers Studio productions.

Phillip Ko-fei was a Hong Kong based actor, screenwriter and film director.

<i>The Pirate</i> (1973 film) 1973 Hong Kong film

The Pirate is a 1973 Hong Kong action martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh, Pao Huseh-li and Wu Ma. The film is based on the life of 19th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who is portrayed by Ti Lung.

References

  1. "Swordsman 2 (1992)". Hong Kong Cinemagic . Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  2. Corliss, Richard. "All-TIME 100 Movies". Time. ISSN   0040-781X. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  3. "THE LEGEND OF THE SWORDSMAN (XIAO AO JIANG HU ZHI: DONG FANG BU BAI) (SWORDSMAN II)". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.