The East Is Red (1993 film)
The East is Red (alternate title Swordsman III) is a 1993 Hong Kong Wuxia film loosely based on Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The film was produced by Tsui Hark, directed by Ching Siu-tung, and starred Brigitte Lin and Joey Wong. The film was seen as a sequel to The Swordsman and Swordsman II.
Plot
Following Dongfang Bubai's apparent death in Swordsman II, the Wulin sinks into chaos as it is without a strong leader. Several impostors start using Dongfang Bubai's name to rally supporters and form their own sects, and Dongfang's lover Xue Qianxun rebuilds the Sun Moon Holy Cult in an attempt to restore the cult to its former glory.
The imperial court sends naval official commander, Gu Changfeng, to accompany the Portuguese in search of Dongfang Bubai. They arrive at Black Woods Cliff, the site of Dongfang's death in the earlier film, and Gu discovers that Dongfang is actually still alive at the cliff's base. Gu Changfeng manages to persuade Dongfang Bubai to return to the Jianghu and Dongfang seeks to destroy all the impostors.
Dongfang Bubai unleashes his fury on the pugilists and starts a bloodbath in eliminating all the impostors. He discovers that Xue Qianxun is also one of the impostors and injures her severely in fury. Dongfang plans to unite the Jianghu once more but Gu Changfeng attempts to stop her and leads the imperial navy to fight her. Dongfang emerges victorious and Xue Qianxun sacrifices herself to save his life. Dongfang realizes his mistake and embraces his dead lover as he retires from the Jianghu once more.
Cast
- Brigitte Lin as Dongfang Bubai (Invincible Asia)
- Joey Wong as Xue Qianxun (Snow)
- Yu Rongguang as Gu Changfeng
- Lau Shun as Dongfang Bubai impostor
- Eddy Ko
- Jean Wang
- Lee Ka-ting
- Kingdom Yuen
- Yen Shi-kwan