''Butterfly and Sword'' (also known as ''Butterfly Sword'' on home media releases) is a 1993 Hong Kong ''

wuxia ( , literally "martial arts and chivalry") is a genre of Chinese literature, Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although is traditionally a form of historical fantasy literature, its popularity ha ...

'' film loosely based on the novel '' Liuxing Hudie Jian'' by

Gu Long Xiong Yaohua (7 June 1938 – 21 September 1985), better known by his pen name Gu Long, was a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese novelist, screenwriter, film producer and director. A graduate of Cheng Kung Senior High School and Tamkang University, Xio ...

. Directed by Michael Mak, with action directed by

Ching Siu-tung Ching Siu-tung (Chinese: 程小東, born October 31, 1953), also known as Tony Ching, is a Hong Kong action choreographer, actor, film director and producer, who has directed over 20 films, including the critically acclaimed supernatural fantasy ...

, the film starred Tony Leung,

Michelle Yeoh Yeoh Choo Kheng (; born 6 August 1962), known professionally as Michelle Yeoh (), is a Malaysian actress. In a career spanning over four decades, Yeoh has appeared Michelle Yeoh filmography, in projects encompassing a wide array of genres, a ...

Jimmy Lin Jimmy Lin Chih-ying ( zh, c=林志穎, poj=Lîm Chì-éng, born 15 October 1974) is a Taiwanese singer, actor, and race car driver. Early life Lin was born in Taipei on 15 October 1974. He was the second child in a family of five children. Lin ...

Joey Wong Joey Wong Cho-Yee ( AKA Joey Wang, Wang Tsu Hsien) (, born 31 January 1967) is a Taiwanese former actress and singer who rose to pan-Asian fame for her roles in Hong Kong films, particularly the film series '' A Chinese Ghost Story'' (1987–1991) ...

and

Donnie Yen Donnie Yen Chi-tan ( zh, c=甄子丹, p=Zhēn Zǐdān, j=, first=j; born 27 July 1963) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Fi ...

Plot

Butterfly has nothing to do with the martial arts world. Her father was once a renowned member of the martial arts world, but she is just another young girl deeply in love with Meng Sing Wan. They live happily in a small hut next to a river, where he spends time trying to catch fish, and writing poetry. From time to time, Sing has to go away on business to earn money, that's what he tells her anyway, but the horrifying truth is that he is an assassin. He is a member of the Happy Forest, a group of assassins led by Sister Ko, but he is tired of the never-ending life of killing for a living. Yip is another member of the group, and is Sing's best friend. The both of them, along with Sister Ko, and a girl called Ho Ching grew up together, forming the best of Happy Forest. Yip is in love with Sister Ko, but is afraid to tell her. However, Ko only has eyes for Sing, but Sing regards her only as an older sister. Ko is given a mission by the Grand Eunuch Tsao, who instructs her to steal a letter from the hands of Master Suen from the Elites Villa sect, who was given to him by Grand Eunuch Li, Tsao's adversary in court. Ko tells Sing to fake his own death, then enter Suen's service as a lone swordsman. Sing does this and more. He impresses Suen with his skills and soon has his trust. At this time however, he encounters Suen's girl, who looks remarkably like the Ho Ching that once disappeared many years ago. Suen sees Sing's interest in his woman, and so, gives her to him. But on the night of the wedding, Ho Ching tries to steal the message, but fail and dies. Sing is devastated by her death, and he goes back to Happy Forest, confronting Ko as to why he wasn't told that Ho Ching was alive all this time, and was being an undercover. Ko is upset by Sing's outburst, only wanting what is best for all of them. Ko and Yip forces into Suen's Elites Villa, and with Sing already inside, they are able to defeat Suen and take the message. When Ko and Sing deliver the message to Eunuch Tsao, it is revealed that Eunuch Li is really Eunuch Tsao, and that he hatched up the plan to destroy the people of the martial arts world. In the end, Tsao is defeated by the teamwork of Ko, Sing, and a young prince. (Extended uncut ending) Butterfly and Sing hold each other happily after defeating Tsao. Ko is upset from seeing that Sing will never love her and jumps off the cliff. Yip sees Ko jump off and jumps after her. He holds her as they fall and confesses that he feels so happy that he's willing to die together with her. Butterfly and Sing look down the cliff shouting out to sister Ko. Ko and Yip fall into the ocean and die embracing each other. Butterfly and Sing are sad that their friends have died.

Cast

* Tony Leung as Meng Sing Wan *

as Lady Ko *

as Prince Cha *

as Butterfly *

as Yip Cheung *Tok Chung-wa as Lui Heung Chuen *

Elvis Tsui Elvis Tsui Kam-kong (born October 12, 1961) is a Hong Kong actor and artist. Tsui is primarily known for his roles in erotic films and martial arts films, where he's more often cast as villains. Some of the famous characters he has portrayed repe ...

as Lord Suen Yuk Pa *Yip Chuen-chan as Miu Siu Siu / Ho Ching *Lee Ka-ting as Lui Chung Yuen *Chang Kuo-chu as Eunuch Tsao / Li Shu Tin *Wong Chung-kui as eunuch *Cho Boon-feng as bald fighter *Choi Hin-cheung as Lord Suen's man *Lee Wai *Wong Yiu *Lam Gwong-chun

References

External links

* *{{hkmdb title, id=7754, title=Butterfly and Sword 1993 films 1993 action films Hong Kong action films 1990s Cantonese-language films Wuxia films 1990s Hong Kong films