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“Visionary” barely begins to describe this masterpiece of Chinese cinema and martial arts moviemaking. A Touch of Zen (Xia nu) by King Hu depicts the journey of Yang, a fugitive noblewoman in disguise who seeks refuge in a remote, and allegedly haunted, village. The sanctuary she and her three companions find with a shy scholar is shattered when a nefarious swordsman uncovers her identity, pitting the five against legions of blade-wielding opponents. At once a wuxia film, the tale of a spiritual quest, and a study in human nature, A Touch of Zen is an unparalleled work in Hu’s formidable career and an epic of the highest order, characterized by breathtaking action choreography, stunning widescreen landscapes, and innovative editing.
Original Release
11/18/1971
US Release
06/16/1972
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Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Feng Hsu | Yang Hui-ching / Miss Yang Hui-ching |
Chun Shih | Ku Shen Chai / Ku Shen Chai the Calligrapher |
Ying Bai | General Shih / Shih Wen-chiao the Fortune-teller |
Peng Tien | Ouyang Nin / Commander Ou-yang Yin |
Miao Tien | (as Tien Miao) / Mun Ta's Advisor |
Ping-Yu Chang | Mrs. Ku the Mother of Shen-Chai / Shen Chai's Mother |
Han Hsieh | Lu Meng the Herbalist / General Lu Ting-Yen |
Jui Wang | Mun Ta / Mun Ta the Eunuch |
Chung-Shan Wan | |
Ming Kao |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Feng Hsu | Yang Hui-ching / Miss Yang Hui-ching |
Chun Shih | Ku Shen Chai / Ku Shen Chai the Calligrapher |
Ying Bai | General Shih / Shih Wen-chiao the Fortune-teller |
Peng Tien | Ouyang Nin / Commander Ou-yang Yin |
Miao Tien | (as Tien Miao) / Mun Ta's Advisor |
Ping-Yu Chang | Mrs. Ku the Mother of Shen-Chai / Shen Chai's Mother |
Han Hsieh | Lu Meng the Herbalist / General Lu Ting-Yen |
Jui Wang | Mun Ta / Mun Ta the Eunuch |
Chung-Shan Wan | |
Ming Kao | |
Chu Liu | Magistrate / Magistrate's Man |
Jia Lu-shek | |
Chu-Hua Men | |
Ming-Wai Chan | (as Ming-Wei Chen) |
Liu Zhuo | |
Shih-Wei Chen | (as Shih Wei Chen) |
Wei-Ho Tu | |
Roy Chiao | Abbot Hui Yuan / Monk Hui Yuan |
Billy Chan | Su's Slim Bodyguard |
Yi-Kuei Chang | East Chamber Guard |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Yang Hsi-Ching | Executive Producer |
Liang Fang Hsia-Wu | Producer |
Jou-Yin Chang | Producer |