Suikoden

Now this is the best series ever shown of its kind. From being a school kid to having become a grown-up to me, this classic still has a magic to it. Often referred to as the Robin Hood of Liang Shan Po in the South chinese marsh lands Lin Chung leads his "army" of just men (and one woman). All joined him because of the faith they all met with and shared. Without spoiling anything it is safe to say the story is set in a corrupt ancient imperial china, in which a loyal and just army officer becomes a rival to a corrupt man named Kao Chiu who later even works his evil ways up to becoming a governor of the province. All members of Lin Chungs band are outlaws in the eyes of the corrupt powers that be. And so they fight a war of justice, which is not always easy. The "bad guys" are the good and the really bad are bad. Each member has his/her own specialty be it a fast runner, excellent archer, marvellous swordsman, or a great strategic mind. All characters develop from their wronged positions into free souls formerly belonging to knights, bringing out the good in (most) people. Often their fighting can be and is being compared to "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" for the flighing through the air and all martial arts moves...... Well, I remember loads of it and ordered the 24 out of 26 available parts from Amazon Video. It will be great to enjoy it all again from time to time. The voices have been dubbed and even that had been done in a great way, which makes us understand the dialogues and still gives the play its authenticity. NHK produced it in 1977. The star role of Lin Chung played by Atsuo Nakamura. Also there's comic relief in the overweight form of Lu-Ta a Buddhist "flower priest" an asian "Friar Tuck". Watch Wu Sung the Tiger man he is a lot of laughs too, eventhough I don't hear many comments on him. Hu San-Niang is the only feminine hero. It seems all other women die in the one episode they happen to appear in. At one stage we even saw Hu San-Niangs "kid" sister. Best other hero Shih Chin Tatooed dragon. All according to the chinese saga. Shih Chin always represented what I, then a schoolkid wanted to be like. Except for the tattoos. Well, I am no "yakuza".

So the Water Margin eventhough a while back, remains yet another oriental feast to watch, especially for people, who like me are very much into "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" stuff. BANZAI ! - a Ten out of Ten in my rating book.

I grew up in England and watched The Water Margin when it was first broadcast on British TV. I found the series gripping and the characters fascinating, particularly the interplay between the hero and the honorable villain. I must admit to having forgotten the program for some years until my son rented the video of The Seven Samurai and that brought it back to my mind. What a pity that the series is available only in European format.

... for Who is to Say it Will Not Become a Dragon?

The Water Margin is justly regarded as a cult TV show in the UK where the entire 26 episode run has been shown 3 times since 1976. Originally a 13th century Chinese epic, this TV series was made in Japanese and then dubbed into English before screening by the BBC.

I'm not going to include any spoilers, but simply say it's a tale of chivalry. If you try it your curiosity will be well rewarded. Also it has what must be the most heroic TV theme ever...

Oh ~ and it shouldn't be confused with either the 1972 Shaw Brothers film of the same name, or the oddball 1999 'Water Margin: Heroes' Sex Stories'.

'...One wrong can move a people, and a wronged people can move the world.'

When I saw the series the very first time I was eleven years old and I enjoyed the fightings and the honourful men and women. Three years later I had the chance to see it again and it filled my heart. Due to this movie I started drinking tea. ;-)

Now, as the series is also available on DVD I bought the DVD boxes and saw them again and again. Especially in these "interesting" times we are in, this world will need the rebells again, to fight against cruelty (by terrorists) and corruption (within the countries we all live in). Rebells, who stand for honour and fairness. And we need love to see that there are still good things in live which are worth living for.

I can absolutely recommend this series. Especially when you are interested in China. The actors have done a very good job and they played very well.

I remember this series well. It was broadcast on Dutch television (as on British television as I gather from their: I love the 70's TV-series). It's about a sort of Robin Hood-like character called Lin Chung and his band of merry men and women. It had I recall beautiful fight-scenes and a very good plot. If you loved "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" try to get a hold of this somehow.