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Recommend me some Wuxia Gaf

F

freeofgreed

Member
Wuxia has always been a genre I've had a passing interest in but never actually indulged in. Partially because i'm not all that interested in classical China but also because I've heard a lot that the genre is largely trash. But I feel I am a bit more open minded in regards to the type of films I watch and want to give it a solid chance. Only Wuxia film i have seen is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Which I did enjoy a lot. So what are some other good ones?
 
L

Llyranor

Member
Are you interested in novels as well? The Deer and Cauldron 3-volume books are great and translated in English. It's really a shame that more novels by Jin Yong or Gu Long aren't translated.
 
bengraven

bengraven

Member
Sir_Crocodile said:
Iron Monkey is about ten million times better then crouching tiger to me, but then I do love comedy & donnie yen
Click to expand...

The scene where the Monkey dresses up as the diplomat is straight up Chinese opera and so damn hilarious.

The "papers blowing away" scene is nearly more beautiful than any scene in CTHD.
 
M

massoluk

Banned
Llyranor said:
Are you interested in novels as well? The Deer and Cauldron 3-volume books are great and translated in English. It's really a shame that more novels by Jin Yong or Gu Long aren't translated.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it is such a shame. There was a fan translation of Smiling Proud Wanderer last I checked, not sure how far the translator got to.

There are English fansub of the best version of Legend of the Condor Hero, I think it was 2003?

What a badass op
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=8hL4CJdqRyc

I have thought about asking to make wuxia ot thread, but I don't speak native chinese and I haven't read many of the recent authors' works


PS: The English version of the Deer and the Cauldron left out a lot of details.
 
andythinkpad

andythinkpad

Member
If you want funny ones, Stephen Chow has about 5-10. I don't know how good is the Eng subtitle. But the best ones are Flirting Scholar, and Royal Tramp Duology. Also Beggar King.

As far as non comedic ones, I go to the classic Jet Li Bride of White Hair.

You can also do an anthology run on 20-30 movies based entirely on Jin Rong's works.

Jin Rong is the Shakespear of Wuxia novels.
 
4

4Tran

Member
freeofgreed said:
Wuxia has always been a genre I've had a passing interest in but never actually indulged in. Partially because i'm not all that interested in classical China but also because I've heard a lot that the genre is largely trash. But I feel I am a bit more open minded in regards to the type of films I watch and want to give it a solid chance. Only Wuxia film i have seen is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Which I did enjoy a lot. So what are some other good ones?
Click to expand...
Wuxia films are a bit on the trashy side. But they're also pretty far removed from the core of the wuxia genre which lies in novels. They're largely long form works so films aren't going to do a very good job of capturing their stronger qualities. Sadly, the novels and TV shows that best exemplify the genre are mostly only available in Chinese and other East Asian languages. English translations aren't common and are often only exist as fan works. If you can read Chinese, check out Jin Yong's novels - he's by far the biggest name in the genre.

If you're restricted to films, then I prefer older Hong Kong films over the newer Chinese ones. Check out Once Upon a Time in China 2 with Jet Li and Donnie Yen, or for a more wuxia feel, Brigette Lin's Swordsman II (also featuring Jet Li) and Bride with the White Hair.
 
S

Sir_Crocodile

Member
Last Hero in China & The New Legend of Shaolin are good too (though that may be closer to classic eighties kung fu films then wuxia). They've got lots of names, just check out the Jet Li bio.
 
andythinkpad

andythinkpad

Member
Llyranor said:
Are you interested in novels as well? The Deer and Cauldron 3-volume books are great and translated in English. It's really a shame that more novels by Jin Yong or Gu Long aren't translated.
Click to expand...

Many, including me consider Deee and Cauldron Jin Rong's best wprk. Although its half historical fiction hald Wuxia. I think Conder Hero is a lot more beginner friendly.

If you like Deer and Cauldron, I think you will like 12 Kingdoms the anime.
 
C

call_kotaku

Member
Swordsman 1 & 2
Duel to the Death

Wuxia films are actually generally alright (either shaw era or the 90s wirework stuff) if you like HK films. The TV shows are usually low budget trash, yeah.
 
M

massoluk

Banned
call_kotaku said:
Swordsman 1 & 2
Duel to the Death

Wuxia films are actually generally alright (either shaw era or the 90s wirework stuff) if you like HK films. The TV shows are usually low budget trash, yeah.
Click to expand...

When was the last time you watch wuxia tv shows? Ever since CCTV rendition, the genre really stepped up their games
 
L

Llyranor

Member
massoluk said:
Yeah, it is such a shame. There was a fan translation of Smiling Proud Wanderer last I checked, not sure how far the translator got to.

There are English fansub of the best Legend of the Condor Hero, I think it was 2003?

What a badass op
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=8hL4CJdqRyc

I have thought about asking to make wuxia ot thread, but I don't speak native chinese and I haven't read many of the recent authors' works


PS: The English version of the Deer and the Cauldron left out a lot of details.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's because I grew up with the 1982 version, but the 2003 version didn't do it for me. I found it was weirdly edited in some parts, and I would have been confused if I didn't know the gist of the story beforehand. Great music, though. For the most part, though, I hate how modern Wuxia series have replaced intricate fight choreography with shaky cams and CG overuse.

As for D&C, beggars can't be choosers :(((



4Tran said:
Wuxia films are a bit on the trashy side. But they're also pretty far removed from the core of the wuxia genre which lies in novels. They're largely long form works so films aren't going to do a very good job of capturing their stronger qualities. Sadly, the novels and TV shows that best exemplify the genre are mostly only available in Chinese and other East Asian languages. English translations aren't common and are often only exist as fan works. If you can read Chinese, check out Jin Yong's novels - he's by far the biggest name in the genre.
Click to expand...
Honestly, as much as I love Wuxia films, I mostly just watch them for the fights for the most part. The pacing of the films are all over the place (trying to squeeze a Jin Yong novel into 1-2 movies is just ridiculous).

It doesn't help that the poetic language of Wuxia is completely lost because of Engrish/Chinglish subs. Imagine watching a Shakespeare play translated by an ESL intern at the bottom of his class.
 
F

freeofgreed

Member
I don't mind older films. In fact I love 80s and 90s HK films so recommendations from that era are A-ok with me.

So far it's looking like I'm starting with Hero and Iron Monkey first, but I'm open to more recommendations. I want to have a nice list.

4Tran said:
Wuxia films are a bit on the trashy side. But they're also pretty far removed from the core of the wuxia genre which lies in novels. They're largely long form works so films aren't going to do a very good job of capturing their stronger qualities. Sadly, the novels and TV shows that best exemplify the genre are mostly only available in Chinese and other East Asian languages. English translations aren't common and are often only exist as fan works. If you can read Chinese, check out Jin Yong's novels - he's by far the biggest name in the genre.

If you're restricted to films, then I prefer older Hong Kong films over the newer Chinese ones. Check out Once Upon a Time in China 2 with Jet Li and Donnie Yen, or for a more wuxia feel, Brigette Lin's Swordsman II (also featuring Jet Li) and Bride with the White Hair.
Click to expand...

I've seen this film recommended a lot online but is the 1st one not good/required?
 
C

call_kotaku

Member
massoluk said:
When was the last time you watch wuxia tv shows? Ever since CCTV rendition, the genre really stepped up their games
Click to expand...

Sword Stained with Royal Blood in 2007 (I think?). There was just a huge amount of bad CGI and slow-mo in the shows after that and it just got too obnoxious for me to watch.
 
D

dragonflys545

Member
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

forgot to add my favorite: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_in_the_Wind) The best series with awesome wuxia choreography(I think they have a sub version of the series on youtube), the one that came out recently sucks major ass!

I love Jin Yong's work.
 
M

meltingparappa

Member
May I recommend the thoroughly unironically fantastic puppet 'anime' Thunderbolt Fantasy, currently airing and available on crunchyroll.com

7ezUkVsR4onu.gif
 
N

Norwegian Rudo

Member
dragonflys545 said:
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

forgot to add my favorite: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_in_the_Wind) The best series with awesome wuxia choreography(I think they have a sub version of the series on youtube), the one that came out recently sucks major ass!

I love Jin Yong's work.
Click to expand...

Thanks. If I may ask, any particular versions you recommend? Looking around there seems to be at least a couple of each of them. For example I can find 1983, 1994 & 2008 versions of Legend of the Condor Heroes?
 
D

dragonflys545

Member
Norwegian Rudo said:
Thanks. If I may ask, any particular versions you recommend? Looking around there seems to be at least a couple of each of them. For example I can find 1983, 1994 & 2008 versions of Legend of the Condor Heroes?
Click to expand...

The Legend of the Condor Heroes: 2003 was my favorite, 2008 was decent.

They're currently working on a 2016/2017 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes which I'm sort of excited for.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Best version is 2003.

The Return of the Condor Heroes 1995 (I like this one more) and 2006

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: 2009
 
N

Norwegian Rudo

Member
dragonflys545 said:
The Legend of the Condor Heroes: 2003 was my favorite, 2008 was decent.

They're currently working on a 2016/2017 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes which I'm sort of excited for.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Best version is 2003.

The Return of the Condor Heroes 1995 (I like this one more) and 2006

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: 2009
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Romance of the Condor Heroes is not any good?
 
M

massoluk

Banned
dragonflys545 said:
The Legend of the Condor Heroes: 2003 was my favorite, 2008 was decent.

They're currently working on a 2016/2017 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes which I'm sort of excited for.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Best version is 2003.

The Return of the Condor Heroes 1995 (I like this one more) and 2006

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: 2009
Click to expand...

Hey, same taste as me. But I give Demi-Gods and Semi-Devil 1997 and 2003 a draw.
 
L

Llyranor

Member
I'll be the voice of dissent. Condor Heroes trilogy 80's TVB versions are the best, as is Deer and Cauldron's (Tony Leung as Wei Xiaobao is soooo good). Demi-Gods and Proud Smiling Wanderer 90's TVB versions are the best.

I haven't really found the mainland productions nearly as good, despite their bigger budgets. The old series may be dated in parts, but I consider the new shaky cams/CG extravaganzas a regression.
 
N

Nightengale

Member
80s/90s HK production of TVB imo, easily holds its own even today. They're dated, but quality.

Is the 2013 version of Smiling Proud Wanderer any good?
 
F

firehawk12

Subete no aware
Llyranor said:
I'll be the voice of dissent. Condor Heroes trilogy 80's TVB versions are the best, as is Deer and Cauldron's (Tony Leung as Wei Xiaobao is soooo good). Demi-Gods and Proud Smiling Wanderer 90's TVB versions are the best.

I haven't really found the mainland productions nearly as good, despite their bigger budgets. The old series may be dated in parts, but I consider the new shaky cams/CG extravaganzas a regression.
Click to expand...
The current mainland stuff is so... sterile, I dunno.
 
C

chillybright

Banned
dragonflys545 said:
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

forgot to add my favorite: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_in_the_Wind) The best series with awesome wuxia choreography(I think they have a sub version of the series on youtube), the one that came out recently sucks major ass!

I love Jin Yong's work.
Click to expand...

This.

You cannot go wrong with any of his work. The world building and attention to detail is still unmatched by any other Wuxia author. There are some controversial plots to get through but overall the experience is amazing and can hardly be found anywhere else.
 
M

massoluk

Banned
Llyranor said:
I'll be the voice of dissent. Condor Heroes trilogy 80's TVB versions are the best, as is Deer and Cauldron's (Tony Leung as Wei Xiaobao is soooo good). Demi-Gods and Proud Smiling Wanderer 90's TVB versions are the best.

I haven't really found the mainland productions nearly as good, despite their bigger budgets. The old series may be dated in parts, but I consider the new shaky cams/CG extravaganzas a regression.
Click to expand...
Well, nothing is perfect. But for unknown reason, I'm more willing to overlook Hologram Go than Kungfu Polar Bear
 
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