14 Blades From The 14th Century Secret Service

Posted by Megan On November - 19 - 2009

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Another upcoming film from the most sought after Kung Fu star in Chinese cinema today, Donnie Yen, is “14 Blades”. And it’s a mix of martial arts and espionage flick that quite sounds like a potential spectacle. The Chinese title for the film, “Jinyiwei”, means “The Brocaded Robe Guards” was a nickname to the Ming emperors’ own version of the CIA. The organization was set up in the late 14th century by Ming dynasty founder Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor Hongwu), first as his own personal guards numbering in the hundreds, and later gaining many more other responsibilities (including intelligence, of course), reaching their apex in the 16th century with a total force around the low six figures. “14 Blades” is the latest from Hong Kong director Daniel Lee, who made the brainless “Dragon Squad” and the much improved “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon”. Beside Yen, other cast members feature a mix of new and veteran performers. The film is expected to contain heavy doses of stylized fight sequences as it populated by a large number of veteran martial arts stars. Veteran genre actors who make appearances include Chen Kuan-tai, one of Shaw Brothers’ top kung fu stars of the 1970s who starred in cult Kung Fu classic “Flying Guillotine which are very similar in plot to this film, Wu Ma (The Dead and The Deadly), Sammo Hung (Martial Law, Resurrection of the Dragon), mainland wushu champion Xu Xiang-dong (“Wing Chun” TV series), Chen Zhi-hua (Ip Man), and Damian Lau (Duel to the Death). However, all of the young stars featured are idols rather than dedicated martial artists. Wu Chun is a member of Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit and has starred in several TV series. Qi Yuwu is a former Star Search China winner from Singapore. As the leading lady is mainland actress Vicki Zhao Wei who made appearances in John Woo’s “Red Cliff” as well as the forthcoming “Mulan”, Chinese live version for the country’s legendary epic tale. Donnie Yen has suggested that “14 Blades” has some of the most plentiful and challenging fight sequences from among his recent films. A likely reason for the injury and the challenge might be Ku Huan-chiu, who as action director is reportedly pushing the film’s fighting stars.

Set in the final years of China’s Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), the Imperial Guards are raised and trained to be ruthless killing machines since childhood, to execute whatever questionable orders from the Imperial Court or Emperor without questions, and Green Dragon (Yen), being the most highly skilled of them all, is no exception. Each of them possesses a chest containing 14 blades, and the Imperial Guards would use different weapons under different situations, with 8 being used for all forms of tortures, and another 5 for killings, and the last one for hara kiri. And they are also experts at psychological warfare, negotiating or weakening the enemies’ minds in order to accomplish their missions. But deep within his heart, there’s still an iota of conscience left in Green Dragon, who begins to question its motives and runs away from the organization while being hunted down, when he discovers a big conspiracy as an evil eunuch gains control of the Imperial Court and Imperial Guards. While on the run, Green Dragon becomes acquainted with Qiao Hua (Zhao), daughter of the chief of an Armed Escort Agency. Initially, like all Imperial Guards do, he’s merely making use of her. However, he gradually falls for her while she finds out that she’s being made use of.

According to wu-jing.org site, which has described some other roles in the film, actor Law Kar Ying is playing villainous character eunuch Jia, one who is scheming, treacherous and insatiable. His portrayal of one who is vile and effeminate is very piercing. Sammo Hung plays a prince stationed at the frontiers defending the nation. Though he is of royal blood, and a lofty prince with great ambitions, his aspirations could never be fulfilled. While he doesn’t get any action here, his mannerism is very imposing. As the elder armed escort Qiao Yong, Wu Ma has the most scenes among the cameo roles. He is a doting and kind father to his daughter Zhao Wei. Being the more cautious and suspicious type, he objects to Zhao Wei having any connections with Imperial Guard Donnie Yen when they first meet.
Meanwhile, legendary star Chen Kuan Tai plays Reverend Tong Ming, one of Donnie Yen’s enemies. He makes a very grand entrance, fighting Yen to a very fierce death duel. His character hired by eunuch Jia to get rid of Green Dragon. With a really exceptional martial arts ability, Chen Kuan Tai still displayed great prowess in his one week shoot, despite being over 60 years old. Finally, Xu Xiang Dong plays a commander under Sammo Hung but he later conspires with eunuch Jia.