Ci Ma (1973)

Note Générale:

6,9/10   

Réalisateur:

Cheh Chang

Scénaristes:

Cheh Chang (writer)
Kuang Ni (writer)

Date de sortie:

24 février 1973 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Drame

Plot Keywords:

Ambition | Manchu Dynasty | Blood Brother | Kung Fu | Bandit

Récompenses:

3 wins

Avis des utilisateurs:

Classic of Martial arts cinema.

Ensemble

David Chiang	...	Chang Wen-hsiang
Lung Ti	...	Ma Hsin-yi
Kuan Tai Chen	...	Huang Chung
Li Ching	...	Mi-lan
Ching Tien	...	Ma Chung-hsin
Danny Lee	...	Rebel Chief Tseng Tieng-yang (as Li Hsiu-hsien)
Mei Sheng Fan	...	Rebel Chief Yen Chen-feng
Miao Ching	...	Manchu Prosecutor
Lei Cheng	...	Tseng Chi-jung
Ching Ho Wang	...	Assistant judge
Tse Lin Yang	...	Li Wen
Kuang Yu Wang	...	Ma confidant A
Kang Liu	...	Ma confidant B
Kang-Yeh Cheng	...	Ma confidant C
Yan Tsan Tang	...	Ma confidant D

Autre(s) titre(s):

Assassinating Ma (Hong Kong: Mandarin title) (literal title)
Blood Brothers (Hong Kong: English title) (original subtitled version)
Chinese Vengeance (Australia)
Dynasty of Blood (USA)

Durée:

Hong Kong:118 min | West Germany:86 min | USA:118 min

Pays:

Hong Kong

Langue:

Mandarin

Couleur:

Couleur

Rapport de forme:

2,35 : 1

Son:

Mono

Classification:

UK:18 (video rating) (1995) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | Finland:K-15 | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Spain:13 | West Germany:18 (nf) | Germany:BPjM Restreint

Société:

Shaw Brothers

Connexions:

Refait comme Tau ming chong (2007)

Classic of Martial arts cinema.

THE BLOOD BROTHERS is not only one of the best movies Shaw brothers ever produced, it's also one of the greatest martial arts films ever, full stop.

The story follows three men--Chang, Huang and Ma. The former two are good friends and partners in crime, who make a living stealing from travellers, but Ma is a refined man with great ambition and a desire for power and fame. Chang and Huang, despite having different goals to Ma, become his close friends and join forces with him to conquer a rebel outpost, receiving the surrender of a small army of warriors. All seems to be going well, until an affair starts between Ma and Huang's wife, but is cut short by his decision to join the army, where he can finally make a name for himself. Ma's success in battle leads him to fame and he requests the aid of his two good friends, Huang and Chang, in crushing rebels. But power proves more important to Ma than friendship...

The fight choreography is consistently outstanding, from the lighthearted opening fight scene to the stunning, emotionally charged finale. Weapons are put to good use, Chang's use of the three-section staff stands out in particular. Slow motion is also used well, especially in the last battle.

Production values seem surprisingly high, with thousands of extras, weapons and costumes on display. The sets are well made, although some outdoor scenes are obviously filmed inside a studio.

Despite some minor flaws, THE BLOOD BROTHERS stands out as a highly memorable martial arts epic, with a more involved plot than the usual kung fu movie. Chang Cheh was a talented director and the THE BLOOD BROTHERS is one of his classics.