Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain

Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain 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.[1] It served as an influence for the 1986 American film Big Trouble in Little China.

This article is about the 1983 film. For the 2001 film, see The Legend of Zu.

Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Hong Kong promotional release poster
Traditional新蜀山劍俠
Simplified新蜀山剑侠
MandarinXīn Shǔ Shān Jiàn Xiá
CantoneseSan1 Suk6 Saan1 Gim3 Hap6
Directed byTsui Hark
Produced byRaymond Chow
Written byShui Chung-yuet
Sze-to Cheuk-hon
Based onLegend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu
by Huanzhulouzhu
StarringYuen Biao
Adam Cheng
Corey Yuen
Brigitte Lin
Moon Lee
Damian Lau
Judy Ongg
Sammo Hung
Mang Hoi
Music byKwan Sing-yau
Tang Siu-lam
CinematographyBill Wong
Edited byPeter Cheung
Production
company
Paragon Films Ltd.
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
  • 5 February 1983 (1983-02-05)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

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 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. With the help of Master Cheung mui, 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 Dik and Yat jan find the Dual Swords and destroy the Blood Devil?

Cast

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."[2]

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".[1] Lines praised the actors' performances and the martial arts choreography, and noted the film's "warm, full-hearted message of kindness and acceptance".[1]

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.[1]

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
  1. Lines, Craig (2 July 2018). "Zu: The Movie That Inspired Big Trouble In Little China". Den of Geek. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. Paxton, Tim; Todarello, Dave (October 1991). "From Asia with Blood - Part One". Fangoria. No. 107. Starlog Group, Inc. p. 58. ISSN 0164-2111.
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