THE WATER MARGIN apparently portrays chapters 64-68 of the novel (it says so in the intro reel). Not having the slightest clue what the Water Margin was all about, I was initially very worried. After all, the logical place to start a film adaptation is chapter one, right? To make matters worse, there are dozens of characters introduced right at the start with helpful little captions telling you their names and who they are playing. You can’t focus on this though, as the phase “I hope I don’t have to remember all this” goes through your mind time and time again. Luckily, it’s not quite as complicated as it first seems. The plot of the film centres not on the 108 (it’s a lucky number in Chinese, I’m told, and I don’t think it’s to be taken literally) Liang Shan bandits rebelling against the corrupt elements of the Sung Dynasty so much as a neutral figure who is drawn into the struggle with his protégé Yan Qing (David Chiang).

Although an epic production (the film is about twenty seconds short of two hours in length), I really don’t see why there were up to four directors involved in this project (and the sequel ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS). That said, it does have a feel quite unlike other Shaw productions of the era. A lot might have to do with the film’s score, which like THE NEW ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN is surprisingly contemporary, with electric guitars and full funky rock band accompaniment. There’s a distinctive “chikka chikka cha!” sound that permeates the score and gives the film a somewhat unique identity.

But is it any good? Well, I have to admit that it retained my attention through the whole running time and didn’t drag for a second, but I can’t help thinking that the first fifteen minutes are a bit pointless. And perhaps it requires some knowledge of the source material to fully appreciate, but for me the film ends without me knowing what the true motivation was for ANY of the characters.

The fight scenes are adequate, although not really as good as other productions from the time. As you would expect, the action really takes off in the last twenty minutes or so, when things come to a head plot-wise. The acting is also adequate, and David Chiang is pretty solid throughout. Fans of Ti Lung will be disappointed as usual, as he only has a brief appearance at the start until his fight at the finale. In fact, fans of EVERYONE but David Chiang will probably be disappointed that their favourite star doesn’t shine in this movie, but ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS does redress the balance somewhat…