fantasy elements
oriental wizards, superior sword fighting ability
Review
In this TV adaptation of a famous Chinese folk legend -- a kind of 'Robin Hood in China' -- hero-outlaws fight a corrupt government "in a world very different from our own", with minor fantasy elements (set in China, made in Japan, dubbed into English) -- it's now out on video, so I get to watch it again.
Gradually, over the 26 episodes, wicked Kao Chui forces each of the 'nine dozen heroes', one way or another, into outlawry, thereby sealing his own fate. For they go to join the rebel band living in the water margins of Liang Shan Po, forming a steadily growing force of opposition to Kao. After numerous adventures, sword fights, complex plots, counter-plots, sub-plots, and gobs of opaque oriental philosophy, the heroes eventually overthrow him.
Every episode features at least one set-piece sword fight, as our heroes carve their way through ever-increasing numbers of soldiers, bandits, or whoever else is in their way. But it's not just the fighting, fun though it is: the characters develop -- Lin Chung grows from a conscientious army officer into a great hero -- Kao Chiu descends from a small time bully to a terrible tyrant. The complex story of how various law-abiding, upright citizens are forced onto the wrong side of the law -- but manage to keep to the moral high ground -- how they are forced into rebellion against the corrupt government, holds the attention.
The dubbing is exquisite, virtually lip-synched throughout, so you can easily forget it is dubbed. This does force the dialogue to be a bit bizarre and disjointed in places, but that's just part of the charm. Also, the dubbing uses (mostly fake) Chinese accents, greatly helping the realism -- English or American accents would just have been jarring.
Rating: 2.5
Main characters
-
Lin
Chung
suffers much, but maintains his honour and nobility throughout. He consistently refuses to be the leader of Liang Shan Po, feeling himself unworthy -- but he is the driving moral force of the tale. -
Kao
Chiu
starts as a small-time bully, and grows in power and wickedness, over-taxing and murdering the peasants, until he is Prime Minister with designs on the Imperial Throne.
-
Hu
San-niang
the only female hero. As a sop to femininity, she fights with two short lightweight swords, but is just as lethal as the other heroes. Every other female character, good or bad, is destined barely to survive one episode. - Sung Chiang -- the Good Judge
- Lu Ta -- the 'Flower Priest' -- comic relief
- Shih Chin -- the Tattooed Dragon
Episode guide
- Nine dozen heroes and one wicked man
- None will ever escape alive
- Both at last will reach the sea
- Ever busy are the gods of love
- A treasure of Gold and Jade
- Bandits who steal are executed
- How easy to die, how hard to live
- A man's only happiness
- A dutiful son and the love of a brother
- Escape is not freedom
- The girl who loved the Flower Priest
- Kao Chiu loses his heart
- When Liang Shan Po robbed the poor
- A death for love, more deaths from greed
- The bravest tiger is first killed
- Heaven aims the master's arrow
- The traps of love and hate
- A foolish sage who got involved
- Mourn the slaughter of so many
- A war to end all wars
- Death of a great man
- Lin Chung is beaten
- A concubine's dowry
- Liang Shan Po and the millionaire
- Knight of the long sword
- The dynasty of Kao