Legend of the Condor Heroes (射鵰英雄傳)

Originally posted on xanga. Updated 1/20/2009.



I've watched a few clips and trailers for the upcoming wuxia drama The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

I've seen all 3 of the major adaptions since Felix Wong and Barbara Yung's 59 episode epic in 1983/1984. I remember just trying to rent the drama back in the 80s was a major pain. Since there were few video rental stores, it took months to get our hands on it. And because of the demand, we had to return it by a certain date or risk surcharges. Outrageous! Its not like that today. Once the series is over, within a couple of weeks, its on DVD and you can purchase it.

I wasn't all that fond of the 1994 remake featuring Julian Cheung and Athena Chu. Even though Athena is one of my favorite actresses, I didn't think she fit the part.

I did however like the 2003 one featuring Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun. Maybe because I didn't really have expectations and the series was on VCD, it sorta blew me away. It was annoying to have to change a disc every episode, but I got over it as the series went on. The ending was a little weak beacuse everything seem to end so abruptly.

I was actually quite surprised that they were making the current verson due for release in 2007, but postphoned to 2008 due to an injury to the main make protagonist, Hu Ge.

It would have been less than 5 years if released in 2007. Being released in 2008 roughly gives it 5 years. I don't now, I forget the Jin Yong stories within a few years. Might take me 2 or 3 years to completely forget parts of the stories. That's why I put them on in the background to refresh myself. I did that a couple of years ago for the 2003 series. But once I found out of the 2007 series, I stopped. Just so I would be murky and not completely know the story as I watch it again.

Anyway, search for it on youtube and you'll see many many clips, trailers, MVs, etc about it. I can't wait for it to come out. From what I've seen so far, it's going to have the best production value of any of the Jin Yong series I've seen. I hope it lives up to the hype and people's expectations.