The Pirate | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Film poster | |||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 大海盜 | ||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 大海盗 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Directed by | Chang Cheh Pao Hsueh-li Wu Ma | ||||||||||
Screenplay by | Ni Kuang | ||||||||||
Produced by | Runme Shaw | ||||||||||
Starring | Ti Lung David Chiang Tin Ching Dean Shek Yuen Man-tzu Fan Mei-sheng Yue Feng | ||||||||||
Cinematography | Kuang Han-lu Yuen Teng-bong | ||||||||||
Edited by | Kwok Ting-hung | ||||||||||
Music by | Frankie Chan | ||||||||||
Production company | |||||||||||
Distributed by | Shaw Brothers Studio | ||||||||||
Release date |
| ||||||||||
Running time | 96 minutes | ||||||||||
Country | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
Language | Mandarin |
The Pirate is a 1973 Hong Kong action martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh, Pao Hsueh-li and Wu Ma. The film is based on the life of 19th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who is portrayed by Ti Lung. [1]
Pirate Cheung Po Tsai sails to a shoreline southern China disguised as a rich trader. There, the villagers live in poverty due to struggle against exploitation and corruption by the government. At the same time, Cheung attracts the attention of merchant Xiang You-lin (Tin Ching) and his sister, who are keen on killing him for a bounty offered on Cheung. Cheung then agrees to expedite funds to them in the form of cash and goods stolen from foreign invading colonists. While still on land, Cheung discovers that one of his former crew member Hua Er-dao (Fan Mei-sheng), who is an escaped convict, has captured his ship, goods and his crew. As Hua determines to seek vengeance on him, Cheung flees and seeks refuge in a casino.
The admiral of the Qing imperial court sends young general Wu Yee (David Chiang) to investigate where pirates are hiding and ultimately finds Cheung. As the two encounter each other, each of them display their skills in duel while also appreciating each other. Wu eventually grows respect for Cheung for his righteous nature and begins to question his own conscience. He decides to let Cheung escape the government forces tracking him, facilitating Cheung a boat. Cheung promises Wu Yee that they will meet again and finish their fight on their next encounter.
James Mudge of Beyond Hollywood gave the film a positive review and writes "Well made and featuring charismatic turns from two of the studio’s biggest stars, it should appeal not only to Shaw Brothers aficionados, but to all fans of the pirate film." [1] Matthew Le-feuvre of City on Fire rated the film 8 stars out of 10 and writes "the defining novelty of both Ti Lung and David Chiang spearheading their eighteenth collaboration for an indelible saga of obligation, revenge and misguided loyalties, is itself a landmark achievement even by Hollywood conventions." [2]
Eagle King is a 1971 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio.
The Empress Dowager is a 1975 Hong Kong historical film directed by Li Han-hsiang and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, starring Lisa Lu as Empress Dowager Cixi.
Shek Wing-cheung, better known by his stage name Shih Kien, Sek Kin, Sek Gin or Shek Kin, was a Hong Kong actor and martial artist. Shih is best known for playing antagonists and villains in several early Hong Kong wuxia and martial arts films that dated back to the black-and-white period, and is most familiar to Western audiences for his portrayal of the primary villain, Han, in the 1973 martial arts film Enter the Dragon, which starred Bruce Lee.
The Water Margin, also known Outlaws of the Marsh and Seven Blows Of The Dragon, is a 1972 Hong Kong film adapted from the Chinese classical 14th-century novel Water Margin. It was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Chang Cheh. Godfrey Ho was assistant director.
The Sentimental Swordsman is a 1977 Hong Kong wuxia film written and directed by Chor Yuen and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio. It stars Ti Lung, Derek Yee, Ching Li, Yueh Hua, Fan Mei-sheng and Ku Feng. The film is based on Duoqing Jianke Wuqing Jian of Gu Long's Xiaoli Feidao Series of novels.
The Twelve Gold Medallions is a 1970 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Cheng Gang and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, starring Yueh Hua, Chin Ping, Cheng Miu, Lisa Chiao Chiao and Fan Mei-sheng.
The Wandering Swordsman is a 1970 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, starring David Chiang and Lily Li.
The Deadly Duo is a 1971 Hong Kong Wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh, and starring David Chiang and Ti Lung.
Death Duel is a 1977 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chor Yuen under the Shaw Brothers Studio banner. The film stars Derek Yee, Ling Yun, and marked the debut of Candice Yu for Shaw Studio where she plays a prostitute. The film based on the Gu Long's novel of the same name. It was remade in 2016 as Sword Master, directed by Derek Yee.
Legend of the Bat, also known as Bat Island Adventure or Clans of Intrigue 2, is a 1978 Hong Kong wuxia film adapted from Bianfu Chuanqi of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was directed and written by Chor Yuen, produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, and starred Ti Lung as the lead character. It was preceded by Clans of Intrigue (1977) and followed by Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman (1982).
The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1998.
Where's Officer Tuba? is a 1986 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Philip Chan and Ricky Lau. The screenplay was written by Barry Wong, and starring Sammo Hung, who also produced. The film co-stars Jacky Cheung, David Chiang and Joey Wong. The film was later remade as Look Out, Officer! in 1990 starring Stephen Chow.
Gunmen is a 1988 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced by Tsui Hark, directed by Kirk Wong and starring Tony Leung, Adam Cheng and Waise Lee. The film was released in Hong Kong theatrically before Hong Kong motion picture rating system took effort; afterwards, the film was rated Category III for the home video release.
Dead End is a 1969 Hong Kong action drama film directed by Chang Cheh and starring Ti Lung, Lee Ching, David Chiang, Chan Hung-lit, and Angela Yu Chien. Dead End marks the first film that Chang directed set in modern day, Ti's first leading role, and the first collaboration of director Chang with stars Ti and Chiang, dubbed "The Iron Triangle," because of their successful line of films together which would last several years.
The Duel, also known as Duel of the Iron Fist, is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh and starring Ti Lung, Wang Ping, Yue Wai and David Chiang.
ICAC Investigators 1996 is a 1996 Hong Kong crime television miniseries co-produced by Television Broadcasts Limited and the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong, and the eighth installment of the ICAC Investigators series.
The Bare-Footed Kid is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Johnnie To and starring Aaron Kwok, Maggie Cheung, Ti Lung and Jacklyn Wu. The film is a remake of the 1975 film, Disciples of Shaolin, which was directed by Chang Cheh.
Man from Guangdong is a 1991 Hong Kong martial arts television series produced by TVB and tells the story of Leung Kan, portrayed by Aaron Kwok, the fictitious son of famed martial artist Leung Foon, whom was a favored disciple of folk hero Wong Fei-hung, portrayed by Shih Kien. Shih, who portrayed Wong in the series, was known for portraying antagonists in a series of Wong Fei-hung-related films during the 1940s to 1970s, while the series also features Sai Gwa-Pau reprising his role as "Buckteeth So" from the aforementioned series of films.