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Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
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Wikipedia article
'Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain' (Chinese: ) is a 1983 Hong Kong supernatural 'wuxia' fantasy film directed by Tsui Hark and based on the xianxia novel 'Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu' by Huanzhulouzhu. The film has been noted for combining elements of Hong Kong action cinema with special effects technology provided by a team of Western artists including Robert Blalack. It served as an influence for the 1986 American film 'Big Trouble in Little China'.
'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.
Premise
During the Tang Dynasty, army deserter Dik Ming-kei, who was chased by vampires in the mountain of Zu, is rescued by Master Ding Yan and becomes his pupil. When they were ambushed by the Blood Devil, devil chaser Siu Yu and his pupil Yat Jan came to their assistance. They managed to hold off the Blood Devil but they need to find the Dual Swords to destroy it.
Master Ding took the wounded Siu Yu to Celestial Fort and sought help from the Mistress, but was in turned poisoned by the Blood Devil and he surrendered 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, a Red Army soldier
* Yuen Biao as Di Ming-qi / Dik Ming-kei
* Adam Cheng as Ding Yin / Ding Yan
* Brigitte Lin as the Ice Queen
* 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
Reception and 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."
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". Lines praised the actors' performances and the martial arts choreography, and noted the film's "warm, full-hearted message of kindness and acceptance".
American filmmaker John Carpenter has stated that 'Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain' was an influence on his 1986 film 'Big Trouble in Little China'.
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.
References
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