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Post by kyc on Sept 28, 2018 11:56:15 GMT
Just watched these two movies one after the other. I have watched them before, but this time took more time to enjoy them.
The Romance of the Book and the Sword (書劍恩仇錄/江南書劍情) and Princess Fragrance (香香公主/戈壁恩仇錄) both dates from 1988 and were made in Mainland China by famous Hong Kong director Ann Hui. Ann Hui was a former assistant of King Hu and these two movies were financed by HK and Mainland film companies but used a Mainland Chinese cast. They were based on Louis Cha's (Jin Yong) The Book and the Sword. JY participated in its screenplay, the only time he ever did in adaptations of his fiction.
Unfortunately, both movies bombed at the HK and Mainland Chinese box office, and Ann Hui never attempted another wuxia movie again. Revisiting them after 30 years, there are many virtues in both (really one long movie edited into two). The lead roles were well played, the casting was excellent, with the Qianlong Emperor, Kesili (an Uighur actress), Huo Qingtong (Chinese actress) and Chen Jialuo all fitting their roles especially well. The martial arts choreography is very fine. I suspect both the actors playing Taoist priest Wuchen and Xinyan knew real martial arts. The second feature has some great cinematography from the Gobi Desert (?).
Obviously if you ask me I am more interested in Part 2 because it features two beautiful actresses. Part 1 is more dour and is like a historical drama; it also takes some 20 minutes to settle down. Li Yuanzhi and Zhou Qi have disappeared from the story. Part 2 probably will cause Chen Jialuo haters to hate him even more, since the Uighur actress playing Kesili did really well. She kind of made me feel for the character who in the book is more or less an intellectually disabled beauty.
The movies end even more tragically than in the original novel.
In my opinion both movies can be watched together one after the other and will take no more than 2 1/2 hours ++. Recommended if you: a) want to complete watching all movies of Ann Hui; b) are interested in a mainland Chinese movie of Louis Cha's novel; or c) just like pretty actresses (skip to Part 2 at once). The movies aren't really classics but depending on how you see it, are certainly worth watching in my opinion at least once.
PART 1, Romance of the Book and the Sword, sourced from a English subtitled (Mei Ah?) VCD, is below. There are other, slightly higher definition videos on Youtube which aren't subtitled.
PART 2, Princess Fragrance, without subtitles, is here:
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Post by kyc on Sept 28, 2018 13:10:22 GMT
Time Out London has a review of both movies:
"A two-part historical epic, filmed all over China, centred on conflict between the Manchu Emperor Qianlong and a resistance group who are fighting to restore Chinese rule. (Echoes of contemporary debates about the future of Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty are not entirely coincidental.) This is the nearest thing in present-day Chinese cinema to the spectacles that King Hu made in the 1960s: prodigious use of locations, rousing action climaxes, shameless exoticism, and set pieces that flaunt it because they've got it. Part II gets rather bogged down in folksy frippery about a Muslim tribe in Xinjiang, but the breathtaking act of treachery at the end erases any doubts about Hui's vision and seriousness of purpose."
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Post by reinafu on Sept 28, 2018 17:15:50 GMT
From what you say, Chen Jia luo isn't a very good guy in this adaptation. Is it faithful to the book ?
In the TVB series, he is a good guy....Unless you say that people will hate him because he is more or less responsible of Kesili's death ?
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Post by kyc on Sept 29, 2018 2:13:43 GMT
From what you say, Chen Jia luo isn't a very good guy in this adaptation. Is it faithful to the book ?
In the TVB series, he is a good guy....Unless you say that people will hate him because he is more or less responsible of Kesili's death ?
A lot of Chinese readers don't like Chen Jialuo, especially the girls. He is probably the least popular JY lead. This is because: a) he prefers Kesili although he met Huo Qingtong first. Even though Huo Qingtong and he have a small misunderstanding, a lot of readers prefer Huo Qingtong to Kesili; b) he sort of "pimped" for the Qianlong Emperor by asking Kesili to submit to the emperor. Kesili's death is partly his responsibility. He is, in my opinion, just a "good" guy who isn't very smart. I don't like him much either. This adaptation is faithful, since JY himself was part of the screenwriting team. Just that Chen Jialuo in the book isn't that wonderful either.
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Post by Admin on Nov 28, 2018 8:08:10 GMT
From what you say, Chen Jia luo isn't a very good guy in this adaptation. Is it faithful to the book ?
In the TVB series, he is a good guy....Unless you say that people will hate him because he is more or less responsible of Kesili's death ?
A lot of Chinese readers don't like Chen Jialuo, especially the girls. He is probably the least popular JY lead. This is because: a) he prefers Kesili although he met Huo Qingtong first. Even though Huo Qingtong and he have a small misunderstanding, a lot of readers prefer Huo Qingtong to Kesili; b) he sort of "pimped" for the Qianlong Emperor by asking Kesili to submit to the emperor. Kesili's death is partly his responsibility. So true about that two reasons.
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Post by kyc on Sept 6, 2023 1:19:52 GMT
I'm updating the links with HD versions of the two-part film: Below is an example of the Jin Yong films they are churning out nowadays. It makes me want to puke.
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Post by Admin on Sept 18, 2023 3:37:18 GMT
wow...thanks a lot for the link.
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Post by Admin on Sept 18, 2023 4:35:25 GMT
From what you say, Chen Jia luo isn't a very good guy in this adaptation. Is it faithful to the book ?
In the TVB series, he is a good guy....Unless you say that people will hate him because he is more or less responsible of Kesili's death ?
A lot of Chinese readers don't like Chen Jialuo, especially the girls. He is probably the least popular JY lead. This is because: a) he prefers Kesili although he met Huo Qingtong first. Even though Huo Qingtong and he have a small misunderstanding, a lot of readers prefer Huo Qingtong to Kesili; b) he sort of "pimped" for the Qianlong Emperor by asking Kesili to submit to the emperor. Kesili's death is partly his responsibility. He is, in my opinion, just a "good" guy who isn't very smart. I don't like him much either. This adaptation is faithful, since JY himself was part of the screenwriting team. Just that Chen Jialuo in the book isn't that wonderful either. Once I visited Jin Yong's hometown in Haining, including visiting the Chen Gelao Mansion - Chen Gelao was Chen Jialuo's father in the novel. Apparently people in this city, really believed the folktales about Qian Long that he was not the real son of Yong Zheng. He was the son of Prime Minister Chen; who was about the same age as the daughter of Yong Zheng. Yong Zheng and his wife then exchanged their baby daughter with the Prime Minister's baby son. Apparently, this folktales inspired Jin Yong to write his first novel, The Legend of the Book and The Sword (书剑恩仇录) There are reasons why the people there really believe that QL was Prime Minister Chen's son, such as : 1. Qian Long always managed to visit and stay at PM Chen's house during his six Jiangnan trips. 2. PM Chen's 3rd daughter, was the same age as QL. She's the third child in the family, but even her older siblings and the rest of the family were really polite and treated her especially. This daughter's wedding was personally arranged by the Empress (Yong Zheng's wife), and the wedding ceremony was so grand that the treatment was more like a wedding ceremony for the Emperor's children rather than a Prime Minister. 3. QL wrote a poem about filial piety during his visit to Chen's mansion. The poem is still hung in the house. 4. Yong Zheng bestowed a jade carving tablet for PM Chen's wife, in which he wrote implicitly that PM Chen's wife was a virtuous woman whose son would rule the world - something really odd. As for Chen Jialuo, although he's a pure fictional character, but Kesheli - Princess Fragrance was a real historical account. She was one of Qianlong's favorite concubines - that QL had her painted by the Italian painter Lang Shining. Therefore...I guess it's fair enough that CJL had to 'pimp' Kesheli to Qianlong. Otherwise, JY had to twisted the history - something that he wouldn't do. Alright...but to be honest, looking at another prespective, CJL was not a bad guy at all. 1. It's true that he met Huo Qingtong first. But I don't remember if in the novel he ever declared his love to her. He respected and admired Huo Qingtone, but I'm not sure if he ever loved her. And if later he liked Huo Qingtong's sister better, ...well, love could not be forced, right? 2. He kind of sacrificed Princess Fragrance, by 'giving' her to Qianlong. But what could he do? QL lied to Chen Jialuo by promising him that he would change the Manchu dynasty back to Han dynasty in a peaceful way and also release the people in the Red Flower Society who were put into prison, with the cost of Princess Fragrance. If only QL kept his promise, this was the best option of all. Sacrificing one person - although that the person was the one that he loved - for the sake of avoiding revolution and bloodshed, and the life of his friends. I'm sorry for Princess Fragrance; but it's not like CJL sold her to brothel. He let her marry an emperor of one of the richest countries in the world at that time. So instead of being a weak man who ignored or neglected his mission in life because of women, he was an unselfish man who was willing to sacrifice his personal happiness for the sake of his people, his idealism, and his friends. 3. Chen Jialuo had never married in his life. Perhaps he had guilty feelings for Princess Fragrance, or because he loved her too much? We don't know. But it proves that he's not a bad jerk like what the girl readers think of him.
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Post by kyc on Sept 18, 2023 8:20:04 GMT
A lot of Chinese readers don't like Chen Jialuo, especially the girls. He is probably the least popular JY lead. This is because: a) he prefers Kesili although he met Huo Qingtong first. Even though Huo Qingtong and he have a small misunderstanding, a lot of readers prefer Huo Qingtong to Kesili; b) he sort of "pimped" for the Qianlong Emperor by asking Kesili to submit to the emperor. Kesili's death is partly his responsibility. He is, in my opinion, just a "good" guy who isn't very smart. I don't like him much either. This adaptation is faithful, since JY himself was part of the screenwriting team. Just that Chen Jialuo in the book isn't that wonderful either. Once I visited Jin Yong's hometown in Haining, including visiting the Chen Gelao Mansion - Chen Gelao was Chen Jialuo's father in the novel. Apparently people in this city, really believed the folktales about Qian Long that he was not the real son of Yong Zheng. He was the son of Prime Minister Chen; who was about the same age as the daughter of Yong Zheng. Yong Zheng and his wife then exchanged their baby daughter with the Prime Minister's baby son. Apparently, this folktales inspired Jin Yong to write his first novel, The Legend of the Book and The Sword (书剑恩仇录) There are reasons why the people there really believe that QL was Prime Minister Chen's son, such as : 1. Qian Long always managed to visit and stay at PM Chen's house during his six Jiangnan trips. 2. PM Chen's 3rd daughter, was the same age as QL. She's the third child in the family, but even her older siblings and the rest of the family were really polite and treated her especially. This daughter's wedding was personally arranged by the Empress (Yong Zheng's wife), and the wedding ceremony was so grand that the treatment was more like a wedding ceremony for the Emperor's children rather than a Prime Minister. 3. QL wrote a poem about filial piety during his visit to Chen's mansion. The poem is still hung in the house. 4. Yong Zheng bestowed a jade carving tablet for PM Chen's wife, in which he wrote implicitly that PM Chen's wife was a virtuous woman whose son would rule the world - something really odd. As for Chen Jialuo, although he's a pure fictional character, but Kesheli - Princess Fragrance was a real historical account. She was one of Qianlong's favorite concubines - that QL had her painted by the Italian painter Lang Shining. Therefore...I guess it's fair enough that CJL had to 'pimp' Kesheli to Qianlong. Otherwise, JY had to twisted the history - something that he wouldn't do. Alright...but to be honest, looking at another prespective, CJL was not a bad guy at all. 1. It's true that he met Huo Qingtong first. But I don't remember if in the novel he ever declared his love to her. He respected and admired Huo Qingtone, but I'm not sure if he ever loved her. And if later he liked Huo Qingtong's sister better, ...well, love could not be forced, right? 2. He kind of sacrificed Princess Fragrance, by 'giving' her to Qianlong. But what could he do? QL lied to Chen Jialuo by promising him that he would change the Manchu dynasty back to Han dynasty in a peaceful way and also release the people in the Red Flower Society who were put into prison, with the cost of Princess Fragrance. If only QL kept his promise, this was the best option of all. Sacrificing one person - although that the person was the one that he loved - for the sake of avoiding revolution and bloodshed, and the life of his friends. I'm sorry for Princess Fragrance; but it's not like CJL sold her to brothel. He let her marry an emperor of one of the richest countries in the world at that time. So instead of being a weak man who ignored or neglected his mission in life because of women, he was an unselfish man who was willing to sacrifice his personal happiness for the sake of his people, his idealism, and his friends. 3. Chen Jialuo had never married in his life. Perhaps he had guilty feelings for Princess Fragrance, or because he loved her too much? We don't know. But it proves that he's not a bad jerk like what the girl readers think of him. I agree Chen Jialuo is not as bad as what people made him out to be. But the "pimping" still cannot be justified. Kesili is not a Han girl, so how can he make her sacrifice herself for the Han people in general? Furthermore, he used her love for him to get her to marry Qianlong, which is quite despicable. Ni Kuang once said Chen Jialuo has no brains enticing Qianlong with something he already has. Qianlong already is the emperor, it doesn't matter if he's a Han one or a Manchu one. But then I don't really hate Chen Jialuo like the girl readers, just find him pitiful, that's all.
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Post by Admin on Sept 19, 2023 6:07:19 GMT
I agree Chen Jialuo is not as bad as what people made him out to be. But the "pimping" still cannot be justified. Kesili is not a Han girl, so how can he make her sacrifice herself for the Han people in general? Furthermore, he used her love for him to get her to marry Qianlong, which is quite despicable. Ni Kuang once said Chen Jialuo has no brains enticing Qianlong with something he already has. Qianlong already is the emperor, it doesn't matter if he's a Han one or a Manchu one. But then I don't really hate Chen Jialuo like the girl readers, just found him pitiful, that's all. LOL... I totally agree with Ni Kuang. CJL was so dumb believing that Qianlong would agree with his conditions. He's a combination of pitiful, brainless, and naive!
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Post by reinafu on Sept 25, 2023 9:59:52 GMT
I agree Chen Jialuo is not as bad as what people made him out to be. But the "pimping" still cannot be justified. Kesili is not a Han girl, so how can he make her sacrifice herself for the Han people in general? Furthermore, he used her love for him to get her to marry Qianlong, which is quite despicable. Ni Kuang once said Chen Jialuo has no brains enticing Qianlong with something he already has. Qianlong already is the emperor, it doesn't matter if he's a Han one or a Manchu one. But then I don't really hate Chen Jialuo like the girl readers, just found him pitiful, that's all. LOL... I totally agree with Ni Kuang. CJL was so dumb believing that Qianlong would agree with his conditions. He's a combination of pitiful, brainless, and naive! Because he had a too good heart... As Qian Long was his brother or half brother, he thought that he was reliable... The bad guy in this matter is Qian Long, it's him who should be hated by the readers.
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Post by atumiwa on Sept 26, 2023 18:43:54 GMT
Alright...but to be honest, looking at another prespective, CJL was not a bad guy at all. 1. It's true that he met Huo Qingtong first. But I don't remember if in the novel he ever declared his love to her. He respected and admired Huo Qingtone, but I'm not sure if he ever loved her. And if later he liked Huo Qingtong's sister better, ...well, love could not be forced, right? 2. He kind of sacrificed Princess Fragrance, by 'giving' her to Qianlong. But what could he do? QL lied to Chen Jialuo by promising him that he would change the Manchu dynasty back to Han dynasty in a peaceful way and also release the people in the Red Flower Society who were put into prison, with the cost of Princess Fragrance. If only QL kept his promise, this was the best option of all. Sacrificing one person - although that the person was the one that he loved - for the sake of avoiding revolution and bloodshed, and the life of his friends. I'm sorry for Princess Fragrance; but it's not like CJL sold her to brothel. He let her marry an emperor of one of the richest countries in the world at that time. So instead of being a weak man who ignored or neglected his mission in life because of women, he was an unselfish man who was willing to sacrifice his personal happiness for the sake of his people, his idealism, and his friends. 3. Chen Jialuo had never married in his life. Perhaps he had guilty feelings for Princess Fragrance, or because he loved her too much? We don't know. But it proves that he's not a bad jerk like what the girl readers think of him. 1. yes, CJL never declared his love to her, they never talked about it. yes, CJL loves her, one time CJL got jealous when Li Yuanzhi had a close relationship with HQT because he thought Li Yuanzhi was a man. Both of them never talked about it, so it's more like heart-to-heart situation, then HQT saw that her sis likes CJL, so as her older sister, she gave up for her sister sake. 2. "If only QL kept his promise" , = Qianlong in novel had his own problem, somehow his pact with CJL leaked to empress dowager's ears, he was threatened by empress dowager, his military power (8 banners) removed by empress dowager, if he really continue, he would be dethroned because the empress dowager had an evidence by late emperor about his birth background, after that, Qianlong character changed totally, he swore that he didnt want to be controlled by anyone (empress dowager or CJL) anymore, he want to become what emperor should be, then he became more evil 3. probably also feel guilty, Jin Yong added extra chapter in third edition just to show how stress Chen Jialuo was
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Post by kyc on Sept 29, 2023 10:19:20 GMT
The funny thing is Chen Jialuo could have easily married both sisters. Muslims can have four wives, not to mention wealthy Chinese back in the 19th century. Of course, JY will risk being cursed by girl readers like they did to Zhang Wuji.
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Post by atumiwa on Sept 29, 2023 13:47:45 GMT
i just watched The Book and the Sword 2023, just aired on iQiyi, there is no Huo Qingtong or Kasili , instead.... exist the third woman that Chen Jialuo loves, she is Yu Ruyi
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Post by kyc on Oct 8, 2023 12:14:26 GMT
i just watched The Book and the Sword 2023, just aired on iQiyi, there is no Huo Qingtong or Kasili , instead.... exist the third woman that Chen Jialuo loves, she is Yu Ruyi The movie is terrible right? 😤
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