Hu Jun, Lin Zhiying, Gao Hu, Liu Yifei and other stars of Tianlong eight is the best version of the remake so far. The sagacity, boldness and wisdom of the people in the Jianghu, the actors who have got the essence of the characters in the original, as well as the actual shooting and respect for the original plot, all give points to this TV series.
5 Reviews
Heaven Dragon -- The Eighth Episode
nakataohana14 April 2005
If you enjoy sword-fighting epics with a flair of fantasy, this 40 episode drama will be a delight. It has a good "wu xia" story line, characters, color, sword fights, kidnapping, intrigue, betrayals, vengeance, armies, contests, assassinations, romances and comedic moments. The characters range from kings and princes to sword fighters, monks and beggars, both among the heroes and villains. (Women are also among the rulers, sword fighters, servants, heroes and villains.) The characters use their wit, intelligence, disguises and talents to reach their goals. It is slightly choppy because of its length since there are several stories being told. Sometimes I wanted to know more about what was happening with the other characters.
The story evolves around Qiao Feng and 2 of his sworn blood brothers, Duan Yu and Xu Zhu. It begins with the tragedy that befell his parents and his rise to the leadership of the Beggar's Guild at the age of 30. An intelligent, honorable rough young man who loves his people, he enjoys drinking with friends. He becomes famous for his skill in the martial arts and for his deeds. When the secret of his parentage comes out, it causes a division in the Beggar's Guild. He decides to leave to make his way in the world. When it seems everyone has deserted him, he discovers his true love and friendship. He gains the friendship of the king of his people and rises to power in another land, only to be faced with a test of loyalties at the end -- to stick to his principles and to the people of his former land or to his oath of allegiance to the king of his people. His friends rally their resources as they come to his side.
Duan Yu, 21, is a scholarly rich young nobleman who prefers studying the Classics to mastering his family's famous martial arts skills. Somewhat naive in this society that honors the martial arts, he believes that discussion rather than fighting is the best way to settle arguments. The unintentional results of his father's many affairs continue to surface and periodically impact Duan Yu's life. Along the way, he also acquires unusual skills that help him master some of the forms of the martial arts in unexpected ways. He falls in love and you want to cheer him on in this very Confucian and proper society (eg. kissing scenes are missing and for a woman to be touched by a man is definitely not proper). Despite his family's pressures, he follows after his own heart. When he finds the woman of his dreams, complications ensue.
Xu Zhu, 24, who was abandoned as a baby, has grown into a humble young monk whose whole life evolves around the Shaolin Temple. A godly young man who strives to overcome his temptations, he is not that skillful in the martial arts. With the best of intentions, he interferes with an unusual chess game to which the renowned heroes of the martial arts world have been invited with unexpected consequences for him. He acquires skills in the martial arts, faces temptations, is offered leadership of a clan, learns more about the world than he ever wanted and falls in love.
Although It is normally available in Mandarin with simplified Chinese subtitles, I did find one that also had English subtitles.
The story evolves around Qiao Feng and 2 of his sworn blood brothers, Duan Yu and Xu Zhu. It begins with the tragedy that befell his parents and his rise to the leadership of the Beggar's Guild at the age of 30. An intelligent, honorable rough young man who loves his people, he enjoys drinking with friends. He becomes famous for his skill in the martial arts and for his deeds. When the secret of his parentage comes out, it causes a division in the Beggar's Guild. He decides to leave to make his way in the world. When it seems everyone has deserted him, he discovers his true love and friendship. He gains the friendship of the king of his people and rises to power in another land, only to be faced with a test of loyalties at the end -- to stick to his principles and to the people of his former land or to his oath of allegiance to the king of his people. His friends rally their resources as they come to his side.
Duan Yu, 21, is a scholarly rich young nobleman who prefers studying the Classics to mastering his family's famous martial arts skills. Somewhat naive in this society that honors the martial arts, he believes that discussion rather than fighting is the best way to settle arguments. The unintentional results of his father's many affairs continue to surface and periodically impact Duan Yu's life. Along the way, he also acquires unusual skills that help him master some of the forms of the martial arts in unexpected ways. He falls in love and you want to cheer him on in this very Confucian and proper society (eg. kissing scenes are missing and for a woman to be touched by a man is definitely not proper). Despite his family's pressures, he follows after his own heart. When he finds the woman of his dreams, complications ensue.
Xu Zhu, 24, who was abandoned as a baby, has grown into a humble young monk whose whole life evolves around the Shaolin Temple. A godly young man who strives to overcome his temptations, he is not that skillful in the martial arts. With the best of intentions, he interferes with an unusual chess game to which the renowned heroes of the martial arts world have been invited with unexpected consequences for him. He acquires skills in the martial arts, faces temptations, is offered leadership of a clan, learns more about the world than he ever wanted and falls in love.
Although It is normally available in Mandarin with simplified Chinese subtitles, I did find one that also had English subtitles.
This is definitely the best remake I have ever seen!
Mnemosyne1521 March 2020
The martial arts world has a very high status in the hearts of the Chinese, because it represents the chivalry and strength that the Chinese desire. In martial arts films you can see all kinds of characters who practice different martial arts. In the place called jianghu, martial arts heroes live not for wealth but for their own reputation. Responsible for saving the world like a superhero.
Xiao Feng is my favorite hero. He has very strong strength and a righteous heart. He sacrificed himself for peace between the two nations. He is a great hero! I also like the other protagonists in this TV series. They look very good. The characters in the play are colorful, kind, upright, eccentric, and cruel.
Worst out of the three TV adaption
ultimitsu7 February 2008
As usual, CCTV production always has the top quality scenery, make up and costume, but this production fails at its useless cast, terrible direction, laughable dialogs and unbearable special effect and fighting scenes.
Hu Jun as Xiao Feng has got the right body size, but not the right brain size, he has no understanding of Xiao Feng, does not have any qualities the character suppose to have - honorable and intelligent, all his got is bitterness and unconvincing anger.
Lin Zhi Ying's Duan Yu also has little resemblance of the character, this guy can not distinguish the difference between naive to stupid, being humorous to being a clown. Xiu Qing as Mu Rong Fu looks 10 years too old, apart from that, you don't get much of a impression from him. Hao Chen way over-acted as A-Zi, this character suppose to be cruel and cold, but attractive and smart, Chen is just plain annoying. Liu Yi Fei and Liu Tao are the only two main cast worth watching.
In regards to dialogs, I don't understand why cant they just use the original from the book, they are after all very easy to understand, and since all Chinese TV shows always comes with subtitle, no audience will ever have trouble understand, so why ruin it by change them all to silly modernised stuff and repeat the same thing several times in each scene!?
Martial arts and Qi Gong are completely unwatchable, endless spinning-on-a-wire and everyone-can-fly with explosions-on-demand, you'd wonder haven't these choreographers watched any 80s classics?
All in all, I am very disappointed, my advice is don't bother with this one, watch either the 1983 version or the 1997 version, both vastly superior in different ways.
Or read Huang Yu Lang's comic book, by far the most entertaining adaption.
Hu Jun as Xiao Feng has got the right body size, but not the right brain size, he has no understanding of Xiao Feng, does not have any qualities the character suppose to have - honorable and intelligent, all his got is bitterness and unconvincing anger.
Lin Zhi Ying's Duan Yu also has little resemblance of the character, this guy can not distinguish the difference between naive to stupid, being humorous to being a clown. Xiu Qing as Mu Rong Fu looks 10 years too old, apart from that, you don't get much of a impression from him. Hao Chen way over-acted as A-Zi, this character suppose to be cruel and cold, but attractive and smart, Chen is just plain annoying. Liu Yi Fei and Liu Tao are the only two main cast worth watching.
In regards to dialogs, I don't understand why cant they just use the original from the book, they are after all very easy to understand, and since all Chinese TV shows always comes with subtitle, no audience will ever have trouble understand, so why ruin it by change them all to silly modernised stuff and repeat the same thing several times in each scene!?
Martial arts and Qi Gong are completely unwatchable, endless spinning-on-a-wire and everyone-can-fly with explosions-on-demand, you'd wonder haven't these choreographers watched any 80s classics?
All in all, I am very disappointed, my advice is don't bother with this one, watch either the 1983 version or the 1997 version, both vastly superior in different ways.
Or read Huang Yu Lang's comic book, by far the most entertaining adaption.
Based on the famous martial arts novel
zzmale26 April 2004
The literal translation of the title of this movie is: Celestial Dragon Eight Parts.
This movie is based on the famous contemporary martial arts novel written by the most popular Hong Kong (and possibly, for the China and Taiwan as well) martial arts Author, Mr. Yong Jin, and many of his work, including this one, was also made into cartoons, TV series as well.
Moreover, some of his popular martial arts novels were made into movies and televisions for more than once. For example, the same novel was made into movies three times, respectively in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
This movie is based on the famous contemporary martial arts novel written by the most popular Hong Kong (and possibly, for the China and Taiwan as well) martial arts Author, Mr. Yong Jin, and many of his work, including this one, was also made into cartoons, TV series as well.
Moreover, some of his popular martial arts novels were made into movies and televisions for more than once. For example, the same novel was made into movies three times, respectively in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
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