The Deadly Breaking Sword

The Deadly Breaking Sword
Film poster
Traditional Chinese風流斷劍小小刀
Simplified Chinese风流断剑小小刀
Hanyu PinyinFeng Liú Duàn Jiàn Xiao Xiao Dao
JyutpingFung1 Lau4 Dyun3 Gim3 Siu2 Siu2 Dou1
Directed bySun Chung
Screenplay byNi Kuang
Produced byRun Run Shaw
StarringTi Lung
Alexander Fu Sheng
Shih Szu
Ku Feng
Michael Chan
Lily Li
CinematographyCho On-sun
Lam Ngai Kai
Edited byChiang Hsing-lung
Yu Siu-fung
Music byFrankie Chan
Joseph Koo
Production
company
Distributed byShaw Brothers Studio
Release date
  • 12 April 1979 (1979-04-12)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageMandarin
Box officeHK$2,716,494

The Deadly Breaking Sword is a 1979 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Sun Chung and starring Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng.

In the film, a courtesan convinces a warrior to kill an underworld master for her. The warrior proceeds with breaking and entering into his target's household.

Plot

Warrior Tuan Changqing (Ti Lung) meets courtesan Liu Yinxi (Shih Szu) in a small town. Liu pleads Tuan to kill underworld master Guo Tiansheng (Ku Feng), known as the "Killer Doctor", in order to avenge the death of her fiancé. Tuan and casino security guard Xiao Dao (Alexander Fu Sheng) break into Guo's household and trigger the battle of good against evil.

Cast

  • Ti Lung as Tuan Changqing, the Deadly Breaking Sword
  • Alexander Fu Sheng as Xiao Dao
  • Shih Szu as Liu Yinxu
  • Ku Feng as Dr. Guo Tiansheng, the Killer Doctor
  • Michael Chan as Lian San, the Throat Piercing Halberd
  • Lily Li as Luo Jinhua
  • Shum Lo as Boss Luo
  • Chan Shen as Officer Fan Fei
  • Ngai Fei as Chen Yinggang
  • Teresa Ha as Madam Li Xing
  • Kara Hui as Xiaoqin
  • Keung Hon as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
  • Eddy Ko as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
  • Ng Hong-sang as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
  • Yuen Wah as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
  • Chow Kin-ping as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
  • Austin Wai as Sword Spirits Duo (red)
  • Yuen Bun as Sword Spirits Duo (gold)
  • Cheung Kwok-wa as Diao Qi
  • Lam Fai-wong as Troublemaker at the casino
  • Jamie Luk as Troublemaker at the casino
  • Wong Ching-ho as Conman
  • Ting Tung as Prison Guard
  • Tang Wai-ho as Prison guard
  • Cheung Hei as Innkeeper
  • Man Man as Inn waiter
  • Wong Kung-miu as Inn waiter
  • Fong Yue as Prostitute
  • Sai Gwa-pau as Brothel worker
  • Kam Tin-chue as Brothel guest
  • Tony Lee as Gambler
  • Tam Wai-man as Casino bouncer
  • Lam Chi-tai as Prison guard
  • Robert Mak as Prison guard
  • Wong Chi-ming as Prison guard
  • Hung Ling-ling as Prostitute
  • Lui Hung as Prostitute
  • Alan Chan

Theme song

  • True Colors of a Beautiful Hero (美雄本色) (Cantonese) / Beauty Renowned to the World (五湖四海美名揚) (Mandarin)

Reception

Critical

Ian Jane of DVD Talk gave the film a positive review and writes "The film might seem a little dated considering that it came out in the mid-eighties, past the genre's prime by a bit of a margin, but it stands as a good example of how fun and exciting a well made Shaw Brothers swordplay could be when delivered by a dedicated director and a talented cast."[1]

Box office

The film grossed HK$2,716,494 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 12 to 26 April 1979 in Hong Kong.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Legendary Heroes : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video".