Return of the Condor Heroes (1983)

(Photo: tvbsidsation.blogspot.com)

At the moment we're in a very nostalgic moment: 25 years ago, there was a very popular TVB serial calling "Return of the Condor Heroes" from the well known (in South-East) Jin Yong Louis Cha, Chinese Wuxia author.
We've remembered the excellent Martial Arts and for his time special effects of this movie. But especially the (erotic) chemistry between the two main characters, namely Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü.
What this movie makes it special are not their unbalanced acting skills, but the semi forbidden themes of the movie like 1) equality between man and woman: in Hong Kong and China, woman were and still are in an oppressing role, 2) the disobedience of a (orphan) child towards their teacher's and tutor's, 3) the love-relationship between a female master and her disciple, and 4) many, many metaphors (the serial had to be suitable for children too) for adult-themes, like the rape-scene... Shortly: it's a well-dozed Chinese (fairy)-tale
One point of critic: the screen-adaptation from the famous book. It is sometimes non-consistent (for keeping up the cliffhangers maybe).
But hey! Who cares about, if we were 10 years old and (still) very loving the beautiful Idy Chan!

TVB Theme Song "Return of the Condor Heroes (1983)


Idy Chan