YING HUNG CHUT SIU NIN (1981)

Sak Sau, Dong Wai, & Wong Hung Sau

Miu Kiu Wai, Wong Yat Wah, & Au Yeung Pai San

The Young Heroes From Shaolin or otherwise known as "Ying Hung Chut Siu Nin" in Cantonese was filmed in 1981. The original series was 20 episodes long. Talented actor Sak Sau got the lead role as the legendary hero of Shaolin, Hung Hei Goon. Dong Wai was cast in the role of the cunning, Fong Sai Yuk, another legendary Shaolin kung fu hero. Acting graduate Miu Kiu Wai was given the role of playing the disgraced Shaolin desciple, Woo Wai Kin. The role of the Emporer, Kin Lung (alias Chin Fok Sau in this series), was played by Felix Wong Yat Wah, appearing in one of his first ever ancient series after graduating from acting school. Cute actress Wong Hung Sau played Fong Wing Chun, the wife of Hung Hei Goon. Finally respected late 70's actress, Au Yeung Pai San, played Yiu Lang Tu, the daughter of the leader of "Heaven and Earth Society". At that time Lau Tak Wah who was beginning his acting career made a cameo appearance as one of the Shaolin students.  

This story is set in Ching Dynasty during the "Heaven and Earth Society" rebellion against the Ching Government. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Manchus from the north invaded China and established the Ching Dynasty, which lasted from (1644 - 1911 AD). Under the rule of Emperor Kang Xi (1661 - 1722 AD), Chinese influence extended to places such as Mongolia and Tibet. Kin Lung (played by Wong Yat Wah) ruled from 1736 - 1795 AD. The early 1800 are China's last Golden period.

The story itself is probably based on a piece of fiction written about some the historical figures at that time. For instance Shaolin legend Hung Hei Goon, Fong Sai Yuk, Fong Wing Chun, Lady Flower Fist (Fong Sai Yuk's mother), are famous figures in kung fu chronicles for establishing a unqiue type of kung fu or opposing the Ching Government. In history Emperor Kin Lung actually gave an order to have the Shaolin temple burnt to the ground. Kin Lung recognised Shaolin as a powerful force which could threaten his rule. It is believed that Fong Sai Yuk died in the battle defending the Shaolin temple along with many of the Shaolin desciples. Hung Hei Goon was one of the few survivors who managed to escape. He would later accept Lok Ah Choi was his main desciple ensuring that his kung fu knowledge was pass down from generation to generation. Lok Ah Choi would later accept Wong Kei Ying as his main desciple. Wong Kei Ying was the farther of Wong Fei Hung another legend in kung fu chronicles.

The story begins with Fong Sai Yuk fooling around on a cart going through town. Woo Wai Kin, a peasant, is also going through town carrying two buckets of water on a stick across his shoulders to put out a fire at the restaurant. Hung Hei Goon, a wanted man, is above the restaurant fighting with Ching soldiers. Hung Hei Goon makes a run for it and jumps over the balcony of the restaurant. He lands on the cart Fong Sai Yuk is riding on. At once Fong Sai Yuk is not happy and starts a fight with Hung Hei Goon. During the fight Hung Hei Goon pushes the cart into Woo Wai Kin, and one of the buckets he was carrying flies into the air. The bucket goes over Fong Sai Yuk, and water splashes onto his head. Hung Hei Goon uses this distraction and escapes from the Ching soldiers. Fong Sai Yuk walks over to Woo Wai Kin, who was in the process of apologizing. He slaps Woo Wai Kin, and walks off. Woo Wai Kin becomes angry with himself and tips the other bucket of water onto the street.

Fong Sai Yuk, then runs into his mother, who is looking for him because it is time to practice kung fu. Fong Sai Yuk is very lazy though and sleeps on some old baskets. His mother catches him, and instructs him to put more effort into learning kung fu. She then decides to test how good Fong Sai Yuk is, with her red cloth. However Fong Sai Yuk is no match yet for her. 

After practicing kung fu his mother takes Fong Sai Yuk, to the theater, where her brother is working. Woo Wai Kin, and his farther is also at the theater. They sit right behind a bunch of gangsters who creates some trouble for them. Woo Wai Kin is a very brash young man and warn the gangsters to behave. His farther steps in to calm the situation. Things settle down when the show begins. Fong Sai Yuk creates trouble when he dresses up as a tiger, and runs off the stage. His uncle becomes angry and chases him off the stage. A fight then breaks out between Fong Sai Yuk and the gangsters. Woo Wai Kin is impressed with Fong Sai Yuk's kung fu. After leaving the theater together Woo Wai Kin, asks Fong Sai Yuk, to teach him kung fu and accept him as a student. Fong Sai Yuk tells Woo Wai Kin that he must give him money and two roast pigs before he would be accepted as a student. 

As soon as he arrives home, Woo Wai Kin, decides to use all of his father's savings to give to Fong Sai Yuk so he can be accepted as a student. However his farther tells him that he is stupid because good kung fu masters are not money hungry, only kung fu masters with poor kung fu are money hungry. Woo Wai Kin decides that his old man is right.

In the meantime, Hung Hei Goon, returns to the "Red Flower Society", who wants to overthrow the Ching Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty. Hung Hei Goon is given the task of protecting a golden insignia, which once belonged to a Ming Emperor. Later the "Red Flower Society", is surrounded by the Ching army led by Cheut Boon Si. Most of the men from the "Red Flower Society", are killed by Cheut Boon Si and his student, Cheut Lin Kap. Only Hung Hei Goon manages to escape. 

The next day Fong Sai Yuk is practicing kung fu in the process of washing and drying clothes. His mother instructs him not to leave unless he has finished washing and drying all of the clothes. Woo Wai Kin, wanders by and asks Fong Sai Yuk why he is washing clothes. In reply Fong Sai Yuk, tells Woo Wai Kin, that he is learning top kung fu. Woo Wai Kin does not believe him and decides to test him. They fight and Fong Sai Yuk throws Woo Wai Kin into the water. Woo Wai Kin, believes him, and asks once more to be accepted as a student. Not wanting to spend time and effort washing the clothes, the cunning Fong Sai Yuk, decides to accept Woo Wai Kin as a student. He orders Woo Wai Kin to wash and dry the clothes as his first task.

Now free of his chores, Fong Sai Yuk wonders through town. During this time a man named, Chow Chun, is on the street showing off with his foot bag skills. Fong Sai Yuk challenges him to a contest and easily defeats him. In the meantime Hung Hei Goon, dresses up as an old laborer, working for the gangsters in an attempt to hide from the Ching army. However Cheut Boon Si's student, Cheut Lin Kap, arrives at the gangsters hideout. He wants to use the gang to locate Hung Hei Goon and capture him. Hung Hei Goon overhears this conversation but decide that it is safer to remain with the gang. 

Fong Sai Yuk begins teaching Woo Wai Kin some kung fu. After 10 days of learning kung fu from Fong Sai Yuk, Woo Wai Kin, decides to set out and get even with the gangsters. Woo Wai Kin is very lucky because his kung fu isn't really good enough yet. All the gangsters have an accident and injure themselves whilst trying to attack him. Hung Hei Goon was caught in the middle but helps keep the situation under control. He prevents both sides from being seriously injured. Woo Wai Kin looses and decides to get Fong Sai Yuk to help. 

During this time, Chuet Lin Kap, the Taoist was using a flying lantern to try and locate where Hung Hei Goon was hiding. Meanwhile Woo Wai Kin and Fong Sai Yuk return to the gangster’s hideout to teach Hung Hei Goon a lesson. Fong Sai Yuk, steals Hung Hei Goon's golden insignia whilst he was asleep. Woo Wai Kin attempts to tip a bucket of red paint over Hung Hei Goon but hits the flying lantern instead. Realizing that they were unsuccessful both of them run. Hung Hei Goon picks up the lantern realizing that his cover had been blown. He too leaves the gangster’s hideout. Cheut Lin Kap becomes mad because his plan had been foiled by Woo Wai Kin and Fong Sai Yuk. 

The next day Fong Sai Yuk and Woo Wai Kin wander through town and run into the Cheut Lin Kap, who demands them to hand over the golden insignia. Fong Sai Yuk refuses to do so and they attempt to elude the Cheut Lin Kap. They end up hiding in a basket, but unfortunately Cheut Lin Kap manages to find them. Eventually they are able to escape from Cheut Lin Kap through some stroke of luck. Upon arriving home, Hung Hei Goon and Fong Sai Yuk's mother are waiting for them. She asks Fong Sai Yuk to hand the golden insignia back to Hung Hei Goon. However Fong Sai Yuk said that he had lost it whilst running away from Cheut Lin Kap. Hung Hei Goon tells, Fong Sai Yuk and Woo Wai Kin that they are in deep trouble because Cheut Boon Si, is going to chase after them. He also tells the two men to go to Shaolin to with him.

The three men head up to Shaolin together, but not for long because Fong Sai Yuk comes up with various plans to escape from Hung Hei Goon. They set a trap for Hung Hei Goon and eventually manage to run away from him. On the journey to Shaolin the two friends stop at a roadside restaurant to buy something to eat. A rich man is sitting down drinking some tea and playing with his bird, his names Ching Fok Sau. Fong Sai Yuk dislikes him and ignores him, and they finally arrive at Shaolin. The rich man is at Shaolin also but does not enter the contest. Today Shaolin are accepting their first set of non-monk students. However to become a student of Shaolin the men must pass 4 sets of test, to determine their ability to be Shaolin students. 

Hung Hei Goon is the first man to enter the contest. His kung fu and intelligence is really good and manages to pass the four tests easily. Fong Sai Yuk was the second man to enter the contest. His kung fu is not that good, but he uses his brains to out smart the Shaolin monks, to get through the first two contests. At the third contest he runs into a monk, Guy Jun, who he was gambling with earlier. He blackmails Guy Jun and therefore does not have to participate in the next two contests. He also bribes the Guy Jun into accepting Woo Wai Kin as a student without entering the contest. Left with no other alternative Guy Jun reluctantly agrees to it.

Right away the monks get the students to do a horse stance in water. However Fong Sai Yuk, had anticipated this move and had hidden some food behind the bushes. Woo Wai Kin is sent to fetch the food and they share it around with their classmates. At this stage Hung Hei looks like a very serious man. He walks over to Fong Sai Yuk and demands him to hand over the golden insignia. Fong Sai Yuk refuses and they fight. At this stage the monks come back, and find the students fighting. Guy Hung, the senior to all the normal student's master, Guy Jun, punishes them by not allowing them to have dinner. They are sent to clean up in the library instead.

Hung Hei Goon approaches Fong Sai Yuk in the library, again asking Fong Sai Yuk, to hand over the golden insignia. However Fong Sai Yuk, will not give the golden insignia back unless, Hung Hei Goon can beat him in a fight. Seeing that there is no resolve to the problem, Hung Hei Goon accepts the challenge. All the students decide to bet on Fong Sai Yuk winning the battle except for Woo Wai Kin, who bet his shoes on Hung Hei Goon winning. Hung Hei Goon ends up winning, but they are caught fighting yet again by Guy Hung, who asks the senior monks at Shaolin, to kick all the non-monk students out. His plea is refused though.

At Shaolin all the normal students don't get along with the monk students, because each school has to follow different rules. On one evening all of the normal students of Shaolin decide to go down the mountain to hunt, "Tigers". Or rather women, after hearing of a rather funny story from their master, Guy Jun. They come across an old mill, and the other students dare Hung Hei Goon, or Fong Sai Yuk to sleep in the mill for one night. Hung Hei Goon, is not frightened by the ghost stories, and walks into the mill. Fong Sai Yuk, drags Woo Wai Kin into the mill with him also. Out of the three men Woo Wai Kin has the least guts and is frightened. 

The three guys hear some noises and decide to search around, and open the coffins. Inside one of the coffins, Fong Sai Yuk, finds the body of a woman. He becomes very frightened, however Hung Hei Goon walked over to take a closer look and realized it was a young girl. He helps her out of the coffin, and at once both Fong Sai Yuk and Woo Wai Kin are taken by her beauty. Some men dressed as ghost decide to scare the three men, but are beaten. Fong Sai Yuk offers to take the young girl home, but somehow along the way he looses her, and Woo Wai Kin ends up taking her home instead. He asks for her name. In reply the girl told Woo Wai Kin that her name is Lau Yin. 

The three men become good friends after that episode. One day Cheut Boon Si, comes to Shaolin to ask the monks to hand over Hung Hei Goon. Naturally Shaolin monks refuse, so Cheut Boon Si, creates trouble. He easily defeats Guy Hung and all of the other eldest monks. Hung Hei Goon, Fong Sai Yuk, and Woo Wai decides to challenge him to a fight. Cheut Boon Si, accepts and tells the men that in 10 moves, if they were able to touch him and make his body dirty he would let them go. Fong Sai Yuk, comes up with a brilliant plan to beat him. He puts black ink on Woo Wai Kin's shirt and pushed him forward to fight Cheut Boon Si. In his last move Cheut Boon Si, hits Woo Wai Kin and dirties his hand and looses. He then promises not to go after Hung Hei Goon as long as Hung Hei Goon does not leave Shaolin.

Later the grand master of Shaolin, takes a young girl in as student. Her name is Yiu Lang Tu, and she is the daughter of the leader of, the "Heaven and Earth Society". Her main motive in becoming a Shaolin student is to contact Hung Hei Goon. Fong Sai Yuk loves Yiu Lang Tu very much, and spends most of his time coming up with methods of spending time with her. Most of Fong Sai Yuk's plans are unsuccessful though. Yiu Lang Tu falls in love with Hung Hei Goon instead, because he is a gentleman. Meanwhile Woo Wai Kin has fallen in love with Lau Yin and spends much of his time sneaking down the mountain to see her. 

On one occasion the grand master decided to test the students kung fu. Guy Hung decides that the contest will be between his monk school against the normal Shaolin school. In order to win the contest the two groups of students must come up with a way of stealing Guy Hung's shoes. This time Hung Hei Goon thinks of a brilliant plan and is able to steal Guy Hung's shoes. Guy Hung is very unhappy that he was out thought by Hung Hei Goon. The Grand Master rewards the students by allowing the students to have an opportunity to leave Shaolin six months earlier than any other students.

In order to leave Shaolin, the students are put through various tests. This includes testing their kung fu, power, balance, evasion, intelligence, and endurance skills. Of all the students only Woo Wai Kin, Fong Sai Yuk, and Hung Hei Goon past through to the final stage of the test. However before they enter the final stage of the test, a letter arrives for Woo Wai Kin. In the letter Woo Wai Kin finds out that the gangsters have killed his old man. His mind becomes sidetracked because he wants to leave Shaolin immediately to get revenge for his old man. The final test, involves testing the students, kung fu and endurance. They must fight their way out against some of Shaolin's top kung fu experts. 

On the first attempt Woo Wai Kin is defeated and Hung Hei Goon and Fong Sai Yuk stop fighting the monks. They do not want to leave their friend behind. However before the second attempt Woo Wai Kin get his friends to promise not to worry about him during the fight. Woo Wai Kin is defeated again on the second attempt. However Hung Hei Goon and Fong Sai Yuk, battle their way through and is allowed to leave as the first normal students of Shaolin. Realizing that he had to wait another year before he was able to attempt to leave Shaolin, Woo Wai Kin dresses up as a woman and attempts to escape. However he was caught by Guy Hung, and was forced to leave Shaolin through the dog hole as a disgraced student.

Hung Hei Goon and Fong Sai Yuk, decides to help Woo Wai Kin get revenge for his farther. They go to the gangster’s hangout and kill everyone there. After succeeding in helping Woo Wai Kin get his revenge, the three friends decide to go their separate way. Woo Wai Kin, goes back to find Lau Yin. Hung Hei Goon goes to find the leader of the "Heaven and Earth Society". Fong Sai Yuk goes to look for Yiu Lang Tu. Upon arriving at her house, Fong Sai Yuk, is surprised to see Hung Hei Goon there also. After seeing Yiu Lang Tu, Fong Sai Yuk realized that he had been tricked into joining the "Heaven and Earth Society", by Yiu Lang Tu. He refuses to join and therefore decides to leave. 

Later Fong Sai Yuk, runs into his classmate from Shaolin, Chow Chun who is involved in a marriage by contest. Chow Chun really loves Fong Wing Chun. However, Fong Wing Chun will only marry someone who can defeat her in kung fu. Chow Chun looses the battle. Chow Chun then asks Fong Sai Yuk for help, and he thinks of a master plan. In order to win the love of Yiu Lang Tu, Fong Sai Yuk seeks the help of Hung Hei Goon. Fong Wing Chun challenged and lost the fight with Hung Hei Goon. After the fight she wanted to marry Hung Hei Goon, however Hung Hei Goon did not know what was going on and attempts to run away. 

Fong Sai Yuk is now very happy because Fong Wing Chun is chasing all over town to find Hung Hei Goon. This leaves plenty of time for him to spend time with Yiu Lang Tu. However Yiu Lang Tu does not love Fong Sai Yuk, and is jealous of Fong Wing Chun. Chin Fok Sau, is always around trying to console Fong Sai Yuk, and they become good friends. At this stage Fong Sai Yuk only knows that Chin Fok Sau is a very rich man. As the two friends where wandering around the street a monk comes by to create trouble. He sets up a contest and kills all the participants, including Fong Sai Yuk's uncle. 

Fong Sai Yuk gets revenge by killing Liu Lo Fu, but falls into the trap of Cheut Boon Si, who wanted to get rid of Shaolin and Mo Dong, by starting a war between the two schools. Luckily for Fong Sai Yuk, the leader of "Heaven and Earth Society", stepped in as a peacemaker between the two sides. Shortly after Yiu Lang Tu fights with Fong Wing Chun over Hung Hei Goon. Yiu Lang Tu wins and Fong Wing Chun agrees not to see Hung Hei Goon for three years. Realizing that Yiu Lang Tu loves Hung Hei Goon only Fong Sai Yuk, goes to see his good friend Woo Wai Kin. At this stage Woo Wai Kin has become the hero of the village, protecting all the villagers from bad people. After sorting out a misunderstanding Woo Wai Kin, marries Lau Yin.

Soon a man called Wong Siu comes to town and creates more trouble. He is under the control of Cheut Boon Si. Wong Siu kills most of Fong Wing Chun's classmates, and Fong Wing Chun decides to seek Hung Hei Goon's help. However Hung Hei Goon refuses because he does not know where Wong Siu traps are set. Fong Wing Chun then decides to risk her life, to discover where all of Wong Siu's traps are set. Hung Hei Goon goes to find her and together they kill Wong Siu. Hung Hei Goon was taken by the fact that Fong Wing Chun, would risk her life for him, and decides to marry her. Woo Wai Kin and Fong Sai Yuk also attends the wedding. Once again Fong Sai Yuk is happy because, Hung Hei Goon's marriage opens the door for him. He is still in love with Yiu Lang Tu.

Shortly after, Guy Hung, sends his men to kill Fong Sai Yuk, Hung Hei Goon, and Woo Wai Kin's master, Guy Jun. Guy Hung was being used by Cheut Boon Si. They capture Lau Yin and forced Woo Wai Kin to seek Guy Jun's help. However unknown to Woo Wai Kin a trap is set for Guy Jun. Once Guy Jun arrives Woo Wai Kin accidentally hits him in the chest and injures him. He thought it was Cheut Boon Si, coming across to kill Lau Yin. Cheut Boon Si, then kills Guy Jun and his wife, but Woo Wai Kin manages to escape. He later becomes the leader of a group of mountain robbers.

In the meantime Ching soldiers are also trying to get rid of the, "Heaven and Earth Society". Yiu Lang Tu, goes with Chin Fok Sau, to hide from the Chin soldiers. Chin Fok Sau and Yiu Lang Tu end up falling in love with each other. However unknown to Yiu Lang Tu, Chin Fok Sau is actually the King Chin Lung. Later Fong Sai Yuk finds out that Chin Fok Sau is the King Chin Lung, as is very disappointed. He feels betrayed by his best friend, who also steals his only love Yiu Lang Tu. During this time the Ching soldiers make life very difficult for the, "Heaven and Earth Society". 

However every time that Cheut Boon Si captures a friend of Chin Fok Sau, such as Fong Sai Yuk, or Yiu Lang Tu, Chin Fok Sau uses his status as King to let them go. This is because he loves Yiu Lang Tu very much. Infact Chin Fok Sau ends up solving most of his friend’s problems. He presents Woo Wai Kin with the opportunity to get revenge on the Taoist that kills his master. Chin Fok Sau also tell Fong Sai Yuk, and Hung Hei Goon, Cheut Boon Si's weakness and they are able to kill him in the end, to get revenge for the leader of the "Heaven and Earth Society". 

After all these events, Fong Sai Yuk forgives Chin Fok Sau, and they are good friends again. By this time, Fong Sai Yuk, had fallen in love with Chin Fok Sau's cousin, princess Ping Ping. However Hung Hei Goon is very cautious of Chin Fok Sau. He thinks Chin Fok Sau has been using them all along to do his dirty work, and sets out to kill him. However he is prevented from doing so, because Yiu Lang Tu steps in the way and is seriously injured. However she survives and Chin Fok Sau ends up marrying her. Hung Hei Goon and Chin Fok Sau also end up being friends in the end. The only one with a sad ending is Woo Wai Kin, who was the first to marry, but his wife is now dead. However all is forgiven and forgotten as the friends, Fong Sai Yuk, Woo Wai Kin, Hung Hei Goon, Chin Fok Sau, Yiu Lang Tu, Fong Wing Chun, princess Ping Ping, leave Shaolin together. 

"Ying Hung Chut Siu Nin", is one of the best TVB Series I have ever seen. The plot is new and refreshing. All the friendships formed at the beginning of the story lasts till the end of the story, although some misunderstandings did occur throughout the story. I was sick and tired of watching TVB Serials where friendships are betrayed when the two friends fight over the love of the same woman. This series was also very funny and yet tragic. However it also had a happy ending which was unlike the actual events that took place in history.  Despite this the series was fully entertaining.

In terms of the acting and the cast, this series is right up there. After all it did feature two of the late 1970's best actors in Sak Sau, and Dong Wai, to go along with rising stars Miu Kiu Wai and Wong Yat Wah. It also featured two lovely ladies in Wong Haung Sau, and Au Yeung Pai San. Not to mention, a cameo from the famous, Lau Tuk Wah (go Andy!). Sak Sau acted very well, and was convincing as the serious Hung Hei Goon. Dong Wai was very funny as Fong Sai Yuk. Not funny as in talking in a silly voice and pulling funny faces, but very funny in an elegant way because Fong Sai Yuk uses his brains. Miu Kiu Wai was brilliant as the dumb Woo Wai Kin. Wong Yat Wah was good also.

Costumes, sets, and songs used for this series matched the mood of the series. Therefore I consider this series to be one of the 1980's all time classics. It fully deserves 8 out of 10, and I strongly recommend hiring this serial out if possible. 

In this cast Wong Yat Wah was fourth in line, supporting Sak Sau, Dong Wai, and Miu Kiu Wai. Chin Fok Sau is not at all a very complex character to play. He is a simple man and yet complex. He is rich, the King Chein Lung and seems to be everywhere during the series. However Chein Lung is also a very cunning and intelligent man. Chein Lung is also strong enough to stand up to Cheut Boon Sit to save his friends on many occasions. However Chein Lung may also be using his friends kung fu to kill off his enemy Chuet Boon Sit. Even at the end we are not sure whether Hung Hei Goon is right, or that Chin Fok Sau is really a good person at heart.

This is where Wong Yat Wah is good at strutting his stuff. Wong Yat Wah added a touch of mystery to Chin Fok Sau, by changing his eye movements and his tone of voice, to divert our attention. Therefore we as the audience don't really know the true motives behind the character Chin Fok Sau. 

To sum another brilliant acting performance on Wong Yat Wah's behalf. Major credit has to be given to the rest of the cast also for putting on a terrific and entertaining Series.

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