Bastard Swordsman

Infobox Film
name = Bastard Swordsman


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director = Chang Cheh
producer = Shaw Brothers
writer = Huang Ying (original novel)
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starring = Norman Chu Chan Shen Lau Suet Wah Lo Meng Tony Liu
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released = 1983
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country = flagicon|Hong Kong|colonial Hong Kong
language = Cantonese
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imdb_id = 0078393

"Bastard Swordsman" is a Shaw Brothers wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and starring Norman Chu.

Plot

Yen Fei Yang (Norman Chu) is the viciously bullied orphan who takes on the unpleasant tasks at a formidable kung-fu school. Constantly mocked by the other students of the school, Yen counts as his only friend the daughter of the resident master. Any internal wrangling between the various members is put to one side when a swordsman from a rival clan reminds the master of the duel he must take part in once a decade. Unfortunately the defending clan chief is well aware that his rival is more powerful than himself. The expected defeat is further complicated when a wandering swordsman arrives on the scene and joins himself to the injured party, immediately adding to Yen's Hoes. The ensuing series of confrontations and intrigues soon reveals the individual motives that the numerous parties all have and the role they play in the fate of the martial world. After finally understanding his own past and upbringing, Yen is ready to take on the mantle of avenger for his school and win back the respect that his colleagues have lost. With fighting skills that had been taught to him by a shrouded figure, Yen steps out of the shadows and reveals himself to be anything but the harassed orphan that everyone enjoys picking on. However to have any kind of hope against his nearly superhuman foes, the young fighter must uncover the secrets of his clan's 'Silkworm Technique' and transform himself completely.

Production

"Bastard Swordsman" is based on the 1979 ATV television series "Tian Can Bian" ("The Transformation of the Heavenly Silkworm"). The story was originally a script for the TV series, but later converted into a wuxia novel by Huang Ying.