Main actors: Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Jinglei Xu
Watch address:
http://www.pyking.com/list/2772.htm
Plot Introduction:
In the autumn of 1870, Eldest Brother (played by Jet Li) dressed in official robes overlooks his own inauguration stage from the top of the city wall; full of ideals and ambition, if he hadn't gone down this road of no return, he might have been one of the revolutionaries who overthrew the corrupt Qing dynasty and established a new China, achieving great success and leaving behind a legacy for history. Unfortunately... Two bandits and a woman changed his life, leading to both his success and eventual downfall. These two bandits were his sworn brothers who had vowed life and death together: Second Brother (played by Andy Lau) and Third Brother (played by Takeshi Kaneshiro), and that woman was Second Brother's wife, Liansheng (played by Jinglei Xu).
Second Brother is a straightforward and righteous man who became a bandit in turbulent times. He leads hundreds of people in plundering everywhere, but adheres to a code of honor even as a thief. He leaves "seven parts" of the loot while reserving "three parts" for the villagers, giving them a lifeline. The spoils are then distributed among the good civilians living in the same mountain village as him, so he has deep support from the masses. Second Brother loves two people most in his life: one is Liansheng, and the other is Third Brother, who followed him into thievery at the age of thirteen. He treats Third Brother, orphaned since childhood, like a younger brother.
Third Brother possesses a unique charm that combines the wildness of a wolf and the cold ruthlessness of a killer with the innocence and romance of youth. Therefore, in his life, the brotherhood of life-and-death camaraderie is an eternal emotion he values more than life itself. Since the battle where Eldest Brother, a stranger, was injured saving him during a raid on the Taiping army’s supply wagons, Third Brother feels deeply indebted to him for saving his life. His innate fervor makes him admire Eldest Brother even more than Second Brother. After their mountain village was raided by the Qing army with heavy casualties, Third Brother strongly advocated for the three of them to become sworn brothers, following Eldest Brother in joining the Qing court. To avoid disappointing Third Brother and prevent his fellow villagers from falling into despair, Second Brother disregards personal gain and willingly cedes his leadership position to Eldest Brother.
As a good brother in the world of men, Second Brother is a failed lover and an unqualified husband in the world of women. His intense masculine blood makes him lack the romantic charm that captivates women. His wife, Liansheng, is precisely the kind of person who believes in love at first sight. So, despite him rescuing her from being sold as a young prostitute in Yangzhou and despite his efforts to care for her, his illiteracy means he lacks the scholarly air that Liansheng likes, and she never truly loves him. To realize the ideal of a peaceful era without war, Eldest Brother uses the strength of a group of brothers led by Second Brother and Third Brother to establish the "Mountain Camp" temporarily serving the Qing court, originally intending to gather military forces by attacking the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. However, as he gains more power, Eldest Brother becomes increasingly ambitious, wanting to eliminate all obstacles. He doesn’t hesitate to break ties with Second Brother, massacring the Taiping soldiers who surrendered after being persuaded by Second Brother, fearing they would rebel. He exploits Third Brother's fervent nature, convincing him to take his side. Originally, Eldest Brother was only a step away from success, but his actions deeply hurt Third Brother, who admired him immensely. At the grand ceremony, at the peak of his power, Eldest Brother was assassinated. This latest masterpiece by Jet Li, Andy Lau, and Takeshi Kaneshiro is incredibly exciting! Don't miss it!
Director: Peter Chan
Actors: Jet Li, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Jinglei Xu
Producer: Jianxin Huang
Peter Chan More Chinese Title: Assassinating Ma
Genre: Action/Wuxia
Country/Region: Hong Kong/China
Distributor: Media Asia