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THE
LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES (1983)
CAST
INTRODUCTION "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", is the first novel of a trilogy written by the famous Kung Fu writer Jin Yong. The sequel is "The Return of the Condor Heroes", and final the novel is called "The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber". The original version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was filmed in the 1970's. I was too young to see that series so I won't make any comments on it. Michelle Mei Suet was the first ever actress to take on the role of Wong Yung, and Kwok Jing was played by Wong Man Biu. In 1982 TVB reproduced, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" in three parts "Tit Hit Dan Sum", "Dung Che Sai Duk", and "Wah San Lum Kim". Overall the series was 59 episodes long. The cast consisted of Wong Yat Wah as Kwok Jing, Yung Mei Ling as Wong Yung, Miu Kiu Wai as Yeung Hong, and Yeung Pan Pan as Mok Dim Chi. The 1982 version was an all time classic for many reasons. Infact the Legend of the Condor Heroes was the second most watched TVB Series ever behind "Looking Back in Anger", which also starred Felix Wong Yat Wah. The series was adapted by TVB for the third time in 1994 starring Cheung Siu Lam, Athena Chu Yan, and Gallen Lo Ka Leung. The 1994 version followed the novel more closley than the 1982 counterpart. Despite this the 1982 version is still held in the opinion of most to be the best "Legend of the Condor Heroes", series ever made. In 1983 TVB produced, "The Return of the Condor Heroes", which starred the likes of Andy Lau Tuk Wah as Yeung Gor, Idy Chan Yuk Lin as Siu Long Liu, Simon Yam Tuk Wah as Yer Lok Tai, Kent Tong Chun Yip as Fok Do, Au Yeung Pai San as Wong Yung and Leung Ka Yan as Kwok Jing. This TVB Series was also regarded as an all time classic. However I tend to disagree. The way TVB went about filming this series disappointed me the most. Firstly there seem to be no emotion conveyed what so ever by the actors. It almost seem as if they were just reading the words of the script. The acting was terrible and the supporting actors such as those playing Hung Chut Kung and Dung Che actually outperformed the main cast. Another part that was really of putting was seeing a fully grown woman, Siu Long Liu, meet and would later fall in love with someone who looks about 8 years of age. TVB must have forgotten that Siu Long Liu was 18 at that time and Yeung Gor should be around 13 to 16 years of age by that time. However the series was still worth watching and yes I have watched the series in full. The Series is still a classic regardless of the flaws, and was very popular during the 1980's as already stated. In 1995 TVB reproduced the series with the likes of Louis Koo Tin Lok as Yeung Gor, Carmen Lee Yuk Tung as Siu Long Liu, Gigi Fu as Kwok Fu and Cheung Hor Yee as Ching Ying. Wong Man Biu, the original Kwok Jing in the 70's stars as Kwok Jing once more in this series. The cast performed exceptionally well and will take a good effort to beat. The 1995 series made many dramatic improvements on the 1983 series and followed the novel more closely than the 1983 counterpart. The couple of Koo Tin Lok and Lee Yuk Tung conveyed more emotion and the audience was draw closer to the lead characters more so then were with Lau Tuk Wah and Chan Yuk Lin. Margie Cheung put more life into Cheung Ying and made here more noticeable than the previous TVB series. Gigi Fu was absolutely superb in her portray of Kwok Fu. The supporting cast did a better job also despite their low profiles compared to the 1983 supporting cast. Overall the acting, casting, costumes, music, deviation from the novel, emotion, and language of the 1995 version was better. It was back in 1978 that TVB produced, "The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber", for the first time. The original cast includes Chueng Siu Chao, Wong Ming Chin and Chiu Ngar Chi. Idy Chan Yuk Lin the 80's Siu Long Liu also played a minor role in this series. I did not see the series personally so I can't make any comments about it. In 1987 TVB decided to reproduce the series. The main cast included Leung Chiu Wai as Cheung Mo Kei, Tang Siu Man as Chow Chi Yek, Lei Mei Han as Jiu Mun, Yam Tuk Wah as Cheung Tu San, and Cheng Yut Ling as Yan So So. Leung Chiu Wai did a superb job as Cheung Mo Kei and Sheren Tang was excellent in her portray of Chow Chi Yek. For the third time TVB has reproduced the series in the year 2000. The first ever Wong Yung in the 70's Michelle Mei Suet leads the cast as Yan So So and Daimian Lau as Cheung Tu San. The main cast includes vetran 80's actor Lawerence Ng Kai Wah as the young Cheung Mo Ky. Charmaine Sheh Si Mun plays the role of Chow Chi Yek, and Gigi Lai plays Jiu Mun. The supporting cast includes Eddie Cheung Siu Fai as Yeung Siu and Jocye Tang as Yeung But Fu and Kei Yee Fu. "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", trilogy, is a very complex story because it is set through 3 Dynasties of China, Sung, Yuan and the Ming Dynasties. The first novel, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", is based in the Southern Sung Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). The Sung Dynasty was weak and collaborated with the Manchuria northern Chin Dynasty to fight off invaders. However once the invaders were defeated the Manchurians turned on the Sung Dynasty and forced the Sung Dynasty South in 1135 AD. The Manchurians established the Chin (or Gum) Dynasty in northern China. During this time Ngowk Fei, a southern Sung General, became famous for fighting the Chin Dynasty. He was regarded in history as a very tragic hero. In 1206 Genghis Khan united Mongolia, by defeating the other two kings Wong Hau and Jak Mok Hup. Genghis began conquering surrounding land to form one of the largest empires in history. Eventually Genghis Khan captured the Northern Chin (or Gum) Dynasty. However Southern Sung was not captured until 1279 AD, when Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai Khan took control. Kublai Khan established the Yaun Dynasty (1279-1368 AD) in China. The Yaun Dynasty was very vast and stretched from eastern Europe, Korea, and India. "The Return of the Condor Heroes", covers the period after the death of Genghis Khan. The final story, "The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber", covers the downfall of the Yaun Dynasty in 1368. Rebels drove out the Mongolians and established the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). SERIES REVIEW
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