A general who'd rather sign treaties than swing swords? The establishment HATES him!
Upon becoming Prince Regent, the bellicose Lord Biu of Wu sends commander-general Si Ching-wan to rage wars between the Zhao and Chen Kingdoms. A small state that is long on literary excellence but short on military might, Chen is defenceless against the invading forces. The compassionate general answers the pleading of the Chen princess, Fung-ming, to sign a treaty of peace. In his speech to the lord, Deputy General Lau Mo-yeung accuses Si of treason so as to lay claim to Chen. The lord dispatches the valiant fighter Lui Chen-sing to Chen on an assassination mission, but the assassin is vanquished. Si prevails on Lui of his patriotism. Lord Biu fights Chen. In a dire attempt to redeem Chen, Si surrenders to the Wu camp. Lui pretends to have blinded Si to extricate him. The duo ally with a band of chivalrous fighters to overturn the corrupt regime. Dispossessed of his throne, Biu commits suicide. Si returns to his land to serve as an aide to the young king and marry Fung-ming.
Acting
Yam Kim-Fai's gender-bending general—legendary opera star bringing the drama
Costume
Ming dynasty drip that puts your historical dramas to shame
Direction
Fung Fung squeezing epic scope into tight studio sets, 1961 magic
Director
Fung Fung
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yam Kim-Fai was a Cantonese opera superstar famous for male roles (wen wu sheng)—this film preserves her iconic androgynous presence for posterity.
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