俠新蜀山劍 Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain

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Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain ( Chinese : 俠 新蜀山劍) is a 1983 Hong Kong supernatural xianxia fantasy film directed by Tsui Hark and based on the xianxia novel Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu by Huanzhulouzhu . Premise During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Qiao Shu [ zh ] army deserter Dik Ming-kei is being pursued by vampires in the mountain of Zu and is rescued by Master Ding Yan and then becomes his pupil. When they are ambushed by the Blood Devil, devil chaser Siu Yu and his pupil Yat Jan come to their assistance. They manage to hold off the Blood Devil, but they need to find the Dual Swords to destroy him. Master Ding takes the wounded Siu Yu to Celestial Fort and seeks help from the Mistress, but he is poisoned by the Blood Devil and surrenders to the Dark Force. Will Ming-kei and Yat Jan find the Dual Swords and destroy the Blood Devil? Cast Sammo Hung as Chang Mei / Red Army soldier Yuen Biao as Di Ming-qi / Dik Ming-kei Brigitte Lin as the Ice Queen Adam Cheng as Ding Yin / Ding Yan Moon Lee as one of the Ice Queen's guards Judy Ongg as Lady Li I-chi Corey Yuen as Devil Disciple Leader Damian Lau as Xiao Ru / Siu Yu Mang Hoi as Yi Zhen / Yat Jan Norman Chui as the Heaven's Blade Chung Fat as a Blue Army Commander Dick Wei as a Blue Army Commander Ha Kwong-li as Ji Wu-shuang / Chi Wu-chuang Ka Lee as an Orange Army soldier Fung Hak-on as a Devil Disciple leader Yuen Miu as an Orange Army soldier Sai Gwa-Pau as the boatman Tsui Hark as a Blue Army soldier Jørn Bertram as the Doctor Production The film was produced and distributed by Golden Harvest , with Leonard Ho putting forward HK$30 Million towards its production, making it the most expensive film ever made in Hong Kong at the time. [ 1 ] Director Tsui Hark hired out western special effects artists such as Robert Balack , Peter Kuran , John Scheele , and Arnie Wong , famous for their work with ILM and Disney's Tron to act as consultants and help train Hong Kong film students to create the special effects required for the film, such as miniatures , optical compositing , rotoscoping , and matte painting . [ 1 ] Golden Harvest demanded changes for the international export market, having Tsui Hark shoot additional scenes to bookend the film and recontextualize it as a dream sequence from Yuen Biao, who plays a college student learning about Chinese history. This version was released overseas as Zu: Time Warriors . [ 1 ] Reception Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain received five nominations at the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards : Best Action Choreography for Corey Yuen , Best Actress for Brigitte Lin , Best Art Direction for William Chang , Best Film Editing for Peter Cheung, and Best Picture. Despite its critical praise, the film was a financial failure, grossing an estimated HK$3 Million on a budget of HK$30 Million in its original theatrical run. [ 1 ] Influence In a 1991 Fangoria article by Tim Paxton and Dave Todarello, Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain is referred to as "a film which freely intertwines Chinese myth and lore with Hollywood special FX and comic-book action. It's the proverbial rollercoaster of kung fu , magic, monsters, humor, tension, visual spectacle and gruesome bits." [ 2 ] Craig Lines of Den of Geek wrote that Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain "was a significant film for the Hong Kong 'New Wave' movement that revolutionized the industry in the late '70s", characterized by "young filmmakers [who] broke free from the traditional studio system to create weird, energetic and experimental movies". [ 3 ] Lines praised the actors' performances and the martial arts choreography, and noted the film's "warm, full-hearted message of kindness and acceptance". [ 3 ] John Carpenter has cited Zu: Warriors From the Magic Mountain as being responsible for the visual design of his film Big Trouble in Little China [ 3 ] , and Sam Raimi cited its imaginative and effective special effects on a relatively low budget as an influence for Evil Dead II . [ 1 ] Home media The U.K. release of the DVD by Hong Kong Legends features an audio commentary with Tsui Hark and film critic Bey Logan. The Hong Kong release of the DVD by Fortune Star Media features the Cantonese version of the film's trailer, as well as an interview with actor Yuen Biao . One of the most important cinematic achievements in Hong Kong cinema, Tsui Hark’s Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain birthed the modern-day special effects industry in Hong Kong, and influenced filmmakers around the world, including John Carpenter (who credited the film as the inspiration for Big Trouble in Little China). Featuring an all-star cast led by Yuen Biao ( Wheels on Meals , Project A ) as young soldier Dik Ming-kei, currently caught in a war between two rival armies during Tang Dynasty. Taking sanctuary in a cave within the ominous Zu Mountain, he becomes entangled in a battle with supernatural forces beyond his comprehension. Featuring breath-taking art design, stunning cinematography