The East Is Red (1993 film)

The East Is Red, also known as Swordsman III, is a 1993 Hong Kong wuxia film. The main character in the film is loosely based on Dongfang Bubai, a character in Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The film was produced by Tsui Hark, directed by Ching Siu-tung, and starred Brigitte Lin, Joey Wong and Yu Rongguang. The film is regarded as a sequel to The Swordsman and Swordsman II.[1]

The East Is Red
Theatrical poster
Traditional東方不敗 - 風雲再起
Simplified东方不败 - 风云再起
MandarinDōngfāng Bùbài - Fēngyún Zàiqǐ
Directed byChing Siu-tung
Raymond Lee
Produced byTsui Hark
Screenplay byRoy Sze-to
Charcoal Tan
Tsui Hark
StarringBrigitte Lin
Joey Wong
Yu Rongguang
Music byWilliam Hu
CinematographyTom Lau
Edited byChun Yu
Keung Chuen-tak
Production
company
Film Workshop
Long Shong Pictures Ltd
Golden Princess Film Production Ltd
Distributed byNewport Entertainment Ltd
Release date
  • 21 January 1993 (1993-01-21)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Mandarin
Box officeHK$11,248,503.00

Plot

Following Dongfang Bubai's apparent death in Swordsman II, the jianghu (martial artists' community) disintegrates into chaos as it lacks a dominant figure to serve as a de facto leader. Several imposters use Dongfang Bubai's name to rally supporters, form their own sects, and fight for power. One of Dongfang Bubai's devoted lovers, Xue Qianxun, rebuilds the Sun Moon Holy Cult by impersonating Dongfang Bubai.

The Ming imperial court sends a naval admiral, Gu Changfeng, to assist the Spanish in searching for the remains of a Dutch warship sunk near Black Woods Cliff, the site of Dongfang Bubai's death in Swordsman II. At Black Woods Cliff, Gu Changfeng discovers that Dongfang Bubai is still alive in disguise as an elderly woman, and manages to convince him to return to the jianghu.

Dongfang Bubai unleashes his fury and starts a bloodbath in eliminating all those who impersonate him. He discovers that Xue Qianxun has been pretending to be him, and seriously injures her in anger. Consumed by his desire for power, Dongfang Bubai decides to continue his ambitious plan to unite the jianghu under his rule and dominate China.

Gu Changfeng realises that Dongfang Bubai has gone out of control so he leads the Ming imperial navy to fight Dongfang and his Spanish and Japanese allies. In the ensuing naval battle, all the warships are destroyed and Dongfang Bubai emerges victorious after defeating and killing Gu Changfeng. However, Xue Qianxun loses her life in the process. Dongfang Bubai realises his mistake and embraces his dead lover as he retires from the jianghu again.

Cast

Reception

The film received a positive review from the Los Angeles Times.[1]

References
  1. "Movie Review : 'Swordsman 3': Martial Arts and Heart Both Play a Role". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
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