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Flying Dagger
Flying Dagger
Flying Dagger
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Flying Dagger
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Traditional Chinese神經刀與飛天貓
Simplified Chinese神经刀与飞天猫
Hanyu PinyinShénjīng Dāo Yǔ Fēitiān Māo
JyutpingSan4 Ging1 Dou1 Jyu2 Fei1 Tin1 Maau1
Directed byKevin Chu
Written byWong Jing
Produced byHui Pooi-yung
StarringTony Leung
Sharla Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Maggie Cheung
Jimmy Lin
Gloria Yip
Ng Man-tat
Chan Hung-lit
CinematographyChan Wing-shu
Edited byMa Chung-yiu
Music byChan Daai-lik
Foo Laap
Production
companies
Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Ltd. Co. (HK)
Distributed bySYS Entertainment
Release date
  • 6 May 1993 (1993-05-06)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

Flying Dagger (Chinese: 神經刀與飛天貓; lit. 'Nervous Knife and Apsara Flying Cat') is a 1993 wuxia comedy film directed by Kevin Chu and written and produced by Wong Jing. The film features a large cast of stars and parodies numerous Hong Kong films.

Plot

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The Hon [Dagger] Brothers, Chung and Lam, who are in fact uncle and nephew, are rival bounty hunters to the Fung [Bewitchment] Sisters, and take glee in thwarting each other because Chung refused to marry Lady Fung. Fung Ling and Lam are also in love, but do not acknowledge it.

Emperor Tsao hires the Hons to capture the Nine-Tails Fox, whom he claims has made a major robbery of his household, including the rape and murder of his daughter and the murder of 41 servants. The Hons are distracted when they find the Fungs captured by Never Die and his brothers, who in spite of decapitation and loss of a hand, proceed to chase the Hons (the severed hand grabbing at one of them) to the lair of Nine-Tails Fox, who has recently caused his wife, the apsara known as Flying Cat to walk out on him. The group discovers that Never Die is allergic to glib talk, and begin speaking to each other glibly. Chung, too embarrassed to speak to Lady Fung in that way, instead speak to Nine-Tails Fox, the two pulling off each other's shirts, and trap Never Die, where he soon dissolves. The four bounty hunters and Never Die's hand escort Nine-Tails Fox away. Flying Cat returns to find drawn images of what has gone on previously, including what she interprets as her husband's homosexual behavior, and chastises the old man who sends the drawings out through a slot for not intervening, which he says is not his place.

Nine-Tails Fox, who proudly admits to being a thief but insists he never hurts anyone, escapes from the bounty hunters to the inn of Pang Tin-hong, where he becomes involved with numerous courtesans. The bounty hunters follow him, but not before Flying Cat catches up with him. Still other bounty hunters, including the burly Western Ace, a gay man who sings 1980s American pop tunes, and a transsexual who delivers poisoned kisses, arrive at the inn. Because the Hons and Fungs pay well and are supported by the police, Pang sides with them against the new bounty hunters, claiming that he and his wife are Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui. The transsexual kisses Chung, causing him to turn green and infect him with poison. After the other bounty hunters are defeated, Pang sends Lam and Ling outside, insisting that they are under eighteen, although both claim to be eighteen, in order to explain that the cure for the poison is to have sex nine times, then eat the strange fetus that will be born three days later. Chung tries to take Lady Fung to bed, but inadvertently passes the disease to Pang, whose wife and he fight a lot and never want it at the same time.

While Ling and Lam are outside, Never Die's hand grabs Ling's shoulder, and she thinks it is Lam's and rests her head on his shoulder. Thus distracted, Tsao captures the two of them, and the thieves and the bounty hunters team up against their common enemy and rescue the young ones.

At the end of the film, Lady Fung gives birth to the strange fetus, and the Hons, Fungs, Fox, Cat, and Pang seemingly forgetting about the idea that it is to be eaten and ready and excited to receive it as if a normal birth, are horrified to see that the baby is in fact Never Die.

Cast

[edit]

Music

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The stock music score is created by Chan Daai-lik and Foo Laap. Among the sources of the music are "The Attack" from Quigley Down Under by Basil Poledouris as the theme for the Hon Brothers, the main theme from A Fish Called Wanda by John Du Prez as the theme for the Fung sisters, as well as music from Jay Chattaway's Maniac, Alan Silvestri's Death Becomes Her, and David Newman's Heathers, among others.

[edit]
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Flying Dagger

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''Flying Dagger'' (Chinese: ''神經刀與飛天貓''; lit. 'Nervous Knife and Flying Cat') is a 1993 Hong Kong wuxia comedy film directed by Kevin Chu and written and produced by Wong Jing. The film stars Tony Leung Ka-fai as Chung, a bumbling martial artist known as the "Big Dagger", alongside Brigitte Lin as the seductive "Flying Cat", and features a large ensemble cast including Sharla Cheung, Ng Man-tat, and Lau Ching-wan. It is a parody of classic wuxia tropes, following the misadventures of the "Big and Little Flying Dagger" team as they navigate rivalries, romances, and over-the-top battles in a comedic retelling of Chinese folk story elements. The movie incorporates wire-fu action, humor, and references to popular , contributing to the 1990s boom in genre cinema.

Production

Development

, a prolific filmmaker known for his comedic works, wrote and produced Flying Dagger with the explicit intent to the solemn tropes of the genre, such as heroic duels and intricate clan rivalries, by infusing them with and absurd elements. This approach marked a deliberate shift from the dramatic adaptations of , transforming serious narratives into chaotic, humorous spectacles. The film's inspiration stemmed from Gu Long's influential novels, particularly the Xiao Li Fei Dao series featuring the legendary flying dagger technique, as well as earlier cinematic interpretations like Chang Cheh's 1969 Shaw Brothers production The Flying Dagger, which dramatized similar themes of vengeance and martial prowess. adapted these foundations into a comedic framework, emphasizing ensemble dynamics among rival groups to heighten the satirical tone through exaggerated conflicts and character interactions. Key creative decisions focused on amplifying the through over-the-top humor, including nonsensical gags and casting to populate the rival factions, ensuring a fast-paced, irreverent take on conventions. was finalized in early , with production greenlit shortly thereafter by Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Ltd. Co., enabling a swift turnaround to capitalize on the era's revival.

Filming

Principal photography for Flying Dagger commenced in 1993 under the direction of Kevin Chu, a Taiwanese filmmaker known for his work in and action genres. The production was based in , utilizing local studios for interior scenes and rural areas in the for outdoor sequences, consistent with the logistical practices of mid-1990s cinema. The film's action sequences relied on practical effects typical of the genre, including extensive wirework to simulate the "flying" movements of characters during combat and comedic set pieces. These techniques, combined with elements, required precise coordination between performers and actors to blend choreography with humorous timing. Shot primarily in , Flying Dagger runs for 86 minutes and was produced on a low budget, reflecting the efficient, high-output style of Wong Jing's oversight as and . The production encountered logistical challenges in managing large-scale ensemble fight scenes, a common hurdle in comedies of the era that often necessitated reshoots to perfect the interplay of action and humor.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Flying Dagger centers on a comedic rivalry between two bounty-hunting factions in ancient : the Hon Dagger Brothers, consisting of the experienced Chung and his bumbling nephew Lam, and the cunning Fung Sisters, known for their seductive and deceptive tactics. Both groups vie fiercely to apprehend the notorious thief dubbed the Nine-Tails Fox, a sly criminal wanted for a string of high-profile robberies and , including the of incriminating from a powerful official. This setup establishes a foundation of escalating competition, where the hunters' egos and rivalries often lead to more chaos than progress in their pursuit. The narrative unfolds through a series of absurd chases and mishaps, marked by elaborate disguises that blur identities and sow confusion among the characters. Key events include a faked ploy that temporarily unites unlikely allies against perceived threats, and a bizarre to cure a potent poison, involving ritualistic elements that parody traditional mysticism with over-the-top humor. These pursuits highlight the film's blend of action and , as the bounty hunters navigate betrayals, kidnappings, and supernatural-seeming deceptions while closing in on their elusive target. Flashbacks intermittently reveal backstories and motivations, amplifying comedic misunderstandings that drive the plot forward in a non-linear fashion. The story builds to a chaotic climax in a multi-faction confrontation, where disguises unravel and true identities emerge amid a of fights and revelations. This culminates in humorous twists that subvert classic revenge tropes, resolving the central conflict through unexpected alliances and ironic comeuppances rather than straightforward heroism. The resolution emphasizes the film's satirical take on genre conventions, leaving the characters to reflect on their follies in a lighthearted denouement.

Cast

The principal cast of Flying Dagger features a ensemble of prominent cinema actors, selected to the exaggerated archetypes of films through their familiar on-screen personas and comedic timing. stars as Hon Chung, the elder of the Hon Dagger Brothers, delivering humor through his stoic expressions and understated reactions that heighten the film's absurd bounty-hunting antics. portrays one of the Fung Sisters (Big Bewitchment), showcasing via her acrobatic mishaps and over-the-top seductive mannerisms that spoof seductive tropes. In the supporting ensemble, plays the Nine-Tail Fox, the notorious thief whose sly, scheming demeanor adds layers of verbal wit and conflict-driven gags to the comedic pursuits. provides comic relief as the bumbling innkeeper Pang Ting Hong, employing his signature flustered reactions and timing to punctuate the chaos among the hunters. Other notable performers include as the younger Hon Dagger Brother, emphasizing youthful impulsiveness, and as the agile Flying Cat, whose nimble antics contribute to the parody's high-energy chases. The casting adopts an ensemble approach, drawing on stars well-known from action and genres to lampoon conventions, with actors' exaggerated mannerisms amplifying the satirical tone throughout.

Soundtrack and Style

Music

The score for Flying Dagger was assembled by composers Chen Tai-Li and Fu Li, who relied heavily on stock music to craft the film's audio landscape. This approach incorporated borrowed themes from Western films, including cues from (1990) and (1988), deliberately mismatched with the wuxia action to heighten the ironic . Upbeat and incongruous tracks play during combat sequences, amplifying the comedic absurdity, while the closing credits feature a by overlaid with outtakes for added levity. Sound design emphasizes exaggeration for humor, evident in over-the-top effects like the "supersonic fart" used in a key confrontation, contributing to the film's cartoonish tone without relying on original compositions. These elements are precisely timed to sync with Wong Jing's script, fostering deliberate dissonance that underscores the narrative's satirical edge.

Visual and Thematic Elements

The cinematography of Flying Dagger employs a vibrant palette of colors and dynamic camera techniques characteristic of early cinema, particularly in its fight sequences, where wire-assisted aerial maneuvers create a sense of fantastical motion subverted by abrupt interruptions. Wild Dutch angles and frenetic editing, often enhanced by blue filters reminiscent of the , amplify the chaotic energy of the action, turning elaborate choreography—such as treetop battles—into comedic spectacles rather than heroic displays. Visually, the film utilizes recurring motifs like the titular "flying dagger" as a humorous , depicted in exaggerated slow-motion sequences that the genre's dramatic weapon flourishes, often leading to absurd mishaps instead of triumphant kills. Pleasingly colorful costumes and whimsical set designs further emphasize this playful aesthetic, blending opulent period attire with cartoonish props to heighten the film's zany tone. Thematically, Flying Dagger satirizes core wuxia conventions of honor, revenge, and romance through layers of absurdity and puerile humor, critiquing the genre's clichés by reducing noble quests to farcical misunderstandings and scatological gags. This approach undermines the traditional gravitas of narratives, using over-the-top elements like weapons and supersonic bodily functions to expose the ridiculousness inherent in tropes. Influences on the film's style draw from Shaw Brothers' high-octane action traditions, reinterpreted through the irreverent comedy tropes popularized in 1990s productions by writer-producer , resulting in a hybrid that prioritizes entertainment over solemnity.

Release and Legacy

Theatrical Release

Flying Dagger was released theatrically in on May 6, 1993, distributed by Regal Films Distribution Co., Ltd.. The film ran in theaters until May 20, 1993. In the competitive film market of 1993, the movie earned a modest HK$9,706,345 at the over its 15-day run, attracting primarily fans of comedies amid a crowded slate of genre releases. Marketing efforts centered on promotional posters that highlighted the film's all-star cast, including and , alongside its comedic parody of traditional tropes, though the international rollout remained limited to select Asian markets and a delayed U.S. release in 1995. The original theatrical presentation utilized standard 35mm film, with subsequent home video distribution in Asia via VHS formats shortly after its cinema run.

Reception and Influence

Upon its release, Flying Dagger received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its humorous take on tropes and energetic action sequences while critiquing its uneven pacing and over-the-top silliness. Hong Kong-based reviewer Kozo Rupon of LoveHKFilm described it as a "screwy " with "questionably funny" elements but commended its "fun action sequences and amusing star turns." As of November 2025, the film has no Tomatometer score on , based on 1 critic review rated 2/5, described as an "optimistic comedy" comparable to contemporaries like The Eagle Shooting Heroes (). Aggregate scores from audiences and critics hovered around 6/10, reflecting its appeal as lighthearted entertainment amid the era's genre saturation. Audience reception was generally positive among fans of cinema, fostering a modest for its parody of conventions, including wire-fu antics and romantic banter. User reviews on highlight its status as a "typical Hong Kong crowd-pleaser" at the "peak of the craze for the genre," with viewers appreciating the all-star cast's comedic chemistry despite plot inconsistencies. Sites like echo this, rating it 3.3/5 from over 250 users and calling it a "supremely silly, light-hearted elevated by a killer cast." In terms of legacy, Flying Dagger contributed to the revival of films in , a period marked by a surge in productions blending action, fantasy, and comedy following Tsui Hark's influential works in the late . Its elements, such as exaggerated bounty-hunter rivalries and gags, exemplified the genre's playful evolution during this boom, influencing the comedic tone of later films. As of 2025, the film lacks major restorations and is not widely available on mainstream streaming platforms, though it can be found on niche DVD releases and occasional online clips. Modern reassessments often highlight its nostalgic value as a snapshot of cinema's exuberant excess.
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