The Pirate (1973 film)

1973 Hong Kong film by Chang Cheh, Pao Hsueh-li and Wu Ma

The Pirate

Film poster

Chinese name
Traditional Chinese| 大海盜
Simplified Chinese| 大海盗
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Dà Hǎi Dào
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping| Daai6 Hoi2 Dou6
Directed by| Chang Cheh
Pao Hsueh-li
Wu Ma
Screenplay by| Ni Kuang
Produced by| Runme Shaw
Starring| Ti Lung
David Chiang
Tin Ching
Dean Shek
Yuen Man-tzu
Fan Mei-sheng
Yue Feng
Cinematography| Kuang Han-lu
Yuen Teng-bong
Edited by| Kwok Ting-hung
Music by| Frankie Chan

Production
company

Shaw Brothers Studio

Distributed by| Shaw Brothers Studio

Release date

* 27 July 1973 (1973-07-27)

Running time

| 96 minutes
Country| Hong Kong
Language| Mandarin

The Pirate is a 1973 Hong Kong action martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh, Pao Hsueh-li and Wu Ma. The film is based on the life of 19th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who is portrayed by Ti Lung.[1]

## Plot synopsis

[edit]

Pirate Cheung Po Tsai sails to a shoreline southern China disguised as a rich trader. There, the villagers live in poverty due to struggle against exploitation and corruption by the government. At the same time, Cheung attracts the attention of merchant Xiang You-lin (Tin Ching) and his sister, who are keen on killing him for a bounty offered on Cheung. Cheung then agrees to expedite funds to them in the form of cash and goods stolen from foreign invading colonists. While still on land, Cheung discovers that one of his former crew member Hua Er-dao (Fan Mei-sheng), who is an escaped convict, has captured his ship, goods and his crew. As Hua determines to seek vengeance on him, Cheung flees and seeks refuge in a casino.

The admiral of the Qing imperial court sends young general Wu Yee (David Chiang) to investigate where pirates are hiding and ultimately finds Cheung. As the two encounter each other, each of them display their skills in duel while also appreciating each other. Wu eventually grows respect for Cheung for his righteous nature and begins to question his own conscience. He decides to let Cheung escape the government forces tracking him, facilitating Cheung a boat. Cheung promises Wu Yee that they will meet again and finish their fight on their next encounter.

## Cast

[edit]

* Ti Lung as Cheung Po Tsai
* David Chiang as General Wu Yee
* Tin Ching as Xiang You-lin
* Dean Shek as Master Bai
* Yuen Man-tzu as Hai Tang
* Fan Mei-shang as Hua Er-dao
* Yue Fung as 2nd Miss
* Lau Gong as Zeng Guo-xiong
* Bruce Tong as Ma Ping
* Wu Chi-chin as corrupt policeman
* Yeung Chak-lam as corrupt policeman
* Lo Dik as Leader at the ship docks
* Wang Kuang-yu as secret agent
* Cheng Keng-yeh as secret agent
* Ko Hung as Xiao Bao
* Wong Ching-ho as Desperate fisherman
* Liu Wai as Brothel Boss
* Shum Lo as Casino clerk
* Chui Fat as Pirate
* Lee Yung-kit as Pirate who gambles in casino
* Leung Seung-wan as Master Shing
* Tung Choi-bo as Casino Guard
* Tino Wong as thug
* Lau Chun-fai as thug
* Yuen Shun-yi as Pirate
* Lee Chiu as Pirate

## Critical reception

[edit]

James Mudge of Beyond Hollywood gave the film a positive review and writes "Well made and featuring charismatic turns from two of the studio’s biggest stars, it should appeal not only to Shaw Brothers aficionados, but to all fans of the pirate film."[1] Matthew Le-feuvre of City on Fire rated the film 8 stars out of 10 and writes "the defining novelty of both Ti Lung and David Chiang spearheading their eighteenth collaboration for an indelible saga of obligation, revenge and misguided loyalties, is itself a landmark achievement even by Hollywood conventions."[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "The Pirate (1973) Movie Review".
2. ^ "Pirate, The (1974) Review".

## External links

[edit]

* The Pirate at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
* The Pirate at Hong Kong Cinemagic
* The Pirate at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Chang Cheh

* One-Armed Swordsman (1967)
* Golden Swallow (1968)
* Return of the One-Armed Swordsman (1969)
* Dead End (1969)
* Have Sword, Will Travel (1969)
* The Wandering Swordsman (1970)
* Vengeance (1970)
* The Heroic Ones (1970)
* King Eagle (1971)
* The New One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
* The Duel (1971)
* The Anonymous Heroes (1971)
* Duel of Fists (1971)
* The Deadly Duo (1971)
* Boxer from Shantung (1972)
* Angry Guest (1972)
* The Water Margin (1972)
* Young People (1972)
* Delightful Forest (1972)
* Man of Iron (1972)
* Four Riders (1972)
* The Blood Brothers (1973)
* The Pirate (1973)
* Iron Bodyguard (1973)
* Heroes Two (1974)
* The Savage Five (1974)
* The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
* Five Shaolin Masters (1974)
* All Men Are Brothers (1975)
* The Fantastic Magic Baby (1975)
* 7-Man Army (1976)
* Shaolin Temple (1976)
* The Naval Commandos (1977)
* The Brave Archer (1977)
* Chinatown Kid (1977)
* The Brave Archer 2 (1978)
* Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
* Invincible Shaolin (1978)
* Crippled Avengers (1978)
* Life Gamble (1979)
* Shaolin Rescuers (1979)
* Shaolin Daredevils (1979)
* Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)
* Ten Tigers from Kwangtung (1979)
* 2 Champions of Shaolin (1980)
* Flag of Iron (1980)
* The Rebel Intruders (1980)
* Legend of the Fox (1980)
* Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981)
* Masked Avengers (1981)
* The Brave Archer 3 (1981)
* House of Traps (1982)
* The Brave Archer and His Mate (1982)
* Five Elements Ninjas (1982)
* Ode to Gallantry (1982)
* Shanghai 13 (1984)

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