The trio of Chang Cheh, Ti Lung and David Chiang have given us a number of the most iconic HK movies, with titles like “Have Sword, Will Travel” , “Dynasty of Blood” and the “One Armed-Swordsman” entries being among the most memorable. “The Heroic Ones” is another movie that feature the three, in a title that is entertaining, but does not reach the levels of the aforementioned titles.
The story is set in ancient China and is based on historical events, although it moves quite far from historical truth. In the 880s, the Tang dynasty did not have full control of its empire, with Huang Chao and his vast rebel army posing a significant problem, even sizing the national capital Chang'an. Li Keyong, a Shatuo chieftain loyal to the Tang cause, decides to task his 13 generals, essentially all his adopted sons, with liberating the city and driving Huang Chao's army back. In the meantime, manipulative Bianliang governor Zhu Wen plans to exploit the outcome of the clash for his own benefits. The 13 eventually succeed, but Zhu Wen's role changes the whole story.
As was quite usual in Shaw Bros films, the story does not stand up to much scrutiny (not to mention any kind of historical truth) with the plot holes and the illogicality found all over. Furthermore, some issues with the pacing do exist here, while one could say that the loans from westerns (and Kurosawa to some point) are quite intense. Apart from these, however, the movie actually thrives on a number of other levels.
The most obvious trait, and in another trademark of Shaw Bros productions, the interiors presented throughout the movie are all exquisitely set and depicted, with the intricate maximalism courtesy of Kamber Huang's art direction and Johnson Tsao's set decoration resulting a series of truly magnificent sets. This time, however, and although some issues with the exterior shoots do exist, in general this aspect also works well, with the desert providing a very fitting setting for the horse riders that are the protagonists of the story and the castle being a set that allows the action to be presented in the most impressive fashion, with Kung Mu-to's cinematography capturing all in the best way possible.
And talking about the action, its scale here is truly epic. Starting with the initial one-on-one that sees Li Tsun Hsiao, one of Li Keyong's favorite winning against his enemy, and continuing with a series of battles where Shin Ching-Szu, the second favorite, and the rest of the generals fight scores of enemies, the battles are as impressive as they are intricate. Martial arts choreographers Lar Kar-wing (who also plays 10th General Li Tsun Shou), Lau Kar-leung and Tong Kai really outdid themselves, particularly in the group fights, while Chang Cheh highlighted once more how adept he was in directing many actors at the same time.
Furthermore, as treachery becomes an integral part of the narrative, and the fact that a number of the generals are true bastards, induces the action with a dramatic sense that also works in its favor, particularly because it is proven, particularly after a point, that the protagonists are not exactly invincible. Furthermore, the way the slight romance between Li Tsun Hsiao and Tsui Yen becomes the beginning of the rift among the heroes, adds even more to this extra level of action.
The acting is also on a high level, for the most part. Ti Lung as Shin Ching Szu is definitely underused here, buth his drunken scenes are among the most memorable in the whole movie. David Chiang as Li Tsun Hsiao, on the other hand, shines throughout the film, with his charisma being evident from beginning to end, especially every time he smiles cheekily, which he does do repeatedly. He is rather slow in the action scenes, but the rest of his performance definitely compensates. The one who truly steals the show, though, is definitely Sing Chen in the role of the villainous Zhu Wen, whose malice is emitted from every movement and facial expression, in a truly excellent performance that is quite fittingly over-the-top.
The issues with the direction and the writing do not allow “The Heroic Ones” to reach the top of Chang Cheh-David Chiang-Ti Lung-Shaw Brothers collaborations, but the action scenes here are intricate and impressive enough to make the film another must for fans of wuxia.
