Awards and festivals

Film description

In the middle of the Ming dynasty, the evil emperor’s chief Eunuch Cao Shaoqin has the loyal Minister of Defense Yu Qian executed. Yu’s children are condemned to exile away from China and travel toward the western borders. Nevertheless Cao has sent his best agent – of the East Espionnage Chamber - to kill them. They all arrive at the Dragon Inn by the border.

At the same time, a wandering swordsman Xiao Shaozi arrives to the inn, followed by two other swordsmen. Cao’s men suspect them to be Yu Qian’s allies. From that moment the inn is turned into a in camera ballet between the protagonists hiding their identity and threatening each other with much courtesy. Flying chopsticks, tables, and fighters all in a small and yet demultiplied space.

This film marks the debut of King Hu in Taiwan when he imported his work method to Taiwan. He formed new actors that will be faithful to him for many years. The success of the film challenged the Hong Kong supremacy. In 1992, Tsui Hark made a remake of the film called "The New Dragon Gate Inn," with an even more feminist tone.

Restored copy screening, DCP courtesy of Taiwan Film Institute.

Wafa Ghermani