Movie

The Water Margin

1972 · 125 min

A classic martial arts epic with intricate plotting, fierce duels, and a brooding sense of honor and betrayal.

Directed by: Wu Ma, Pao Hsueh-Li
Genres: Action, Drama
Starring: David Chiang Da-wei, Tetsuro Tamba, Toshio Kurosawa

Tagline: Seven masters with a thousand ways to kill!
Overview: The corruption in the Sung Dynasty of 11th century China is so rampant that it inspires a band of Oriental Robin Hoods - the Honorable 108. Mountain bandits who nevertheless live by a scrupulous code of conduct, the Honorable 108 pledge to end the repression of the brutal overlords.

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Directed by: Wu Ma, Pao Hsueh-Li
Genres: Action, Drama
Starring: David Chiang Da-wei, Tetsuro Tamba, Toshio Kurosawa

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How it feels

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Tone: tensestrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
darkstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: revenge
loyalty
betrayal
justice
corruption
Places: countryside
small town
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: ensemble
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language mild
Violence strong
Sex mild

All scales, 0 to 10

Scales, 0 to 10
Scale	Value	0 to 10
Action	8
Horror	2
Humour	3
Realism	5
Romance	2
Tension	7
Darkness	6
Complexity	6
Emotional weight	6

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Details

Genres: action, drama
Directed by: Wu Ma, Pao Hsueh-Li, Chang Cheh
Written by: Ni Kuang
Starring: David Chiang Da-wei, Tetsuro Tamba, Toshio Kurosawa, Tung Lin, Ku Feng, Chin Feng, Elliot Ngok Wah, Wong Chung
Music: Frankie Chan Fan-kei
Cinematography: Kung Mu-To
Runtime: 125 min
Country: Hong Kong
Languages: Mandarin

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The Water Margin

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