Yong zheng yu nian geng yao

THE REBELLIOUS REIGN is a Taiwanese-shot historical martial arts episode with lots of convoluted political machinations to act as a plot. Some say that this was originally lined up as a vehicle for Bruce Lee although I find it hard to imagine him starring in a historical movie like this. The story is about a dying Qing Emperor and the attempts to alter his will so some political rivals can gain power as a result.

Nondescript kung fu star Jimmy Lee is the pawn caught up in this game and the film charts his journey to self-realisation and eventual resistance against his foes. As a historical romp this is just about acceptable, although the lack of money is apparent in the limited use of sets and costumes; it's quite small scale despite the characters talking at length about grand matters. There's plenty of action here, but the choreography never really wows you and I've seen better elsewhere. Where the film does pick up is for the hard-hitting climax which ends in a genuinely surprising way; a great touch, so a pity the rest of the movie hadn't followed suit.

THE REBELLIOUS REIGN (1980) boasts a good historical kung fu plot, with court intrigue and familial rivalry reminiscent of Chang Cheh's THE HEROIC ONES and BLOOD BROTHERS. Jimmy Lee (aka Lung Fong) plays Ming Kang Yau, a kung fu expert who allies himself with the 4th Prince (Tsui Siu Keung/Norman Chu) in a struggle for power as the Emperor is dying during the Ching dynasty. The Emperor has willed succession to the 14th prince, but 4th Prince has Ming steal the chest containing the will and then forces the Chamberlain to open the chest so he can alter the will with ink strokes in order to give him the power of succession. Ming eventually breaks with the 4th Prince and joins the patriots opposing the Ching dynasty. There are lots of short but exciting fights throughout the film, leading up to a ferocious final battle, all well staged and fought. There's a bleak, unhappy ending.

This is the best role I've seen Jimmy Lee (GREEN JADE STATUETTE) play, while Norman Chu (THE SWORD) is great as always. Chien Yuet San (THUNDERING MANTIS) plays Jimmy Lee's teacher and Kwan Young Moon (SUPER POWER) plays the 4th Prince's chief henchman.

The sets and costumes are quite impressive for a comparatively low-budget film. Unlike Chang Cheh's films, however, there are far fewer extras, which means that large armies are frequently discussed, but we never actually see them. Nor are there any spectacular weapons like we used to see in Shaw Bros. films. There is an original music score, but it's too loud and bombastic to be truly effective. Overall, though, this is quite a rousing historical drama of a type that had become increasingly rare by 1980. Lo Wei produced the film while Fong Ching is credited as director. According to `The Essential Guide to Hong Kong Movies,' this was originally written for Bruce Lee.