Rebellious Reign DVD

Starring Jimmy Lee, Norman Chu, Lee Kwan, Kwan Yung Moon, Cheng Fu Hung, Alan Hsu
Directed by Fong Cheung
Produced by Lo Wei
Action - Alan Hsu
Studio - Goodyear Film Co.
Year - 1980

Originally intended as a vehicle for Bruce Lee but shelved until 1978 when Lo Wei resurrected it. Fortunately he only produced and didn't direct as the heavy political undertow could easily have bogged down this film in the wrong hands.

Jimmy Lee displays a level of martial arts skill surprising to someone who best knows him as the villain from 'God of Gamblers' (but checking out his filmography on HKMDB I realise that he had a long career in kung fu films before his starring role here). He plays Nie Kan Tao, an apparently true life Ming revolutionary who gained favour with a Ching prince (prince number 4 played by Norman Chiu) in order to gain power until he was in a position to attempt to overthrow the government.

After performing a number of dubious tasks for the Prince, which allows the Prince to take absolute power as emperor, Nie Kan Tao is promoted to the head of the army but just as he is ready to strike, the Prince becomes suspicious and demotes him again. Before he completely loses the loyalty of his army Nie decides to strike, calling on his old revolutionary colleagues.

Given the potentially heavy subject which provides the premise for this film, full of double dealing, intrigue and conspiracies, director Fong Cheung handles it in just the right way. Dazzle the audience with nearly a full half hour of stunning martial arts action, allow the story to develop in the second half hour of the film before climaxing with some of the best martial arts action seen on the screen. The fight choreography and editing is undoubtably of the highest standard; its fast, fluid and full of long takes of complicated and varied movements. The martial arts ability of the cast is also extremely high; not only does Jimmy Lee impress but there's also Alan Hsu ('Last Hero in China, '2 Fists Against the Law'), whose choreography is of the highest standard, and Korean kicker Kwan Yung Moon. These are just the ones I know however as it seems that the cast is full of people who can flip, kick and spin with perfect timing.

When the story is allowed to develop, its through well developed characterisations that have been brought to life by capable actors. Both Norman Chu and Jimmy Lee carry the main roles perfectly; the former being particularly suited to playing the power hungry prince (he just has that look in his eyes). Sadly we only get to see Norman Chu in one fight scene, and a short one at that.

It's hard to imagine what this film would have been like had Bruce Lee lived to star in it. In retrospect, the period setting may not have been appropriate for Bruce's style (although I appreciate that he was fully capable of portraying whatever kind of martial arts would have been suitable) and by 1980 film making techniques and choreography had moved on just that bit further allowing this film to be the classic that it is.