The Deadly Breaking Sword
Film poster
Traditional Chinese	風流斷劍小小刀
Simplified Chinese	风流断剑小小刀
Hanyu Pinyin	Feng Liú Duàn Jiàn Xiao Xiao Dao
Jyutping	Fung1 Lau4 Dyun3 Gim3 Siu2 Siu2 Dou1
Directed by	Sun Chung
Screenplay by	Ni Kuang
Produced by	Run Run Shaw
Starring	Ti Lung Alexander Fu Sheng Shih Szu Ku Feng Michael Chan Lily Li
Cinematography	Cho On-sun Lam Ngai Kai
Edited by	Chiang Hsing-lung Yu Siu-fung
Music by	Frankie Chan Joseph Koo
Production company	Shaw Brothers Studio
Distributed by	Shaw Brothers Studio
Release date	12 April 1979 (1979-04-12)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Mandarin
Box office	HK$2,716,494

The Deadly Breaking Sword is a 1979 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Sun Chung and starring Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng.

In the film, a courtesan convinces a warrior to kill an underworld master for her. The warrior proceeds with breaking and entering into his target's household.

Plot

Warrior Tuan Changqing (Ti Lung) meets courtesan Liu Yinxi (Shih Szu) in a small town. Liu pleads Tuan to kill underworld master Guo Tiansheng (Ku Feng), known as the "Killer Doctor", in order to avenge the death of her fiancé. Tuan and casino security guard Xiao Dao (Alexander Fu Sheng) break into Guo's household and trigger the battle of good against evil.

Cast

• Ti Lung as Tuan Changqing, the Deadly Breaking Sword
• Alexander Fu Sheng as Xiao Dao
• Shih Szu as Liu Yinxu
• Ku Feng as Dr. Guo Tiansheng, the Killer Doctor
• Michael Chan as Lian San, the Throat Piercing Halberd
• Lily Li as Luo Jinhua
• Shum Lo as Boss Luo
• Chan Shen as Officer Fan Fei
• Ngai Fei as Chen Yinggang
• Teresa Ha as Madam Li Xing
• Kara Hui as Xiaoqin
• Keung Hon as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
• Eddy Ko as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
• Ng Hong-sang as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
• Yuen Wah as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
• Chow Kin-ping as Dr. Guo's hanger-on
• Austin Wai as Sword Spirits Duo (red)
• Yuen Bun as Sword Spirits Duo (gold)
• Cheung Kwok-wa as Diao Qi
• Lam Fai-wong as Troublemaker at the casino
• Jamie Luk as Troublemaker at the casino
• Wong Ching-ho as Conman
• Ting Tung as Prison Guard
• Tang Wai-ho as Prison guard
• Cheung Hei as Innkeeper
• Man Man as Inn waiter
• Wong Kung-miu as Inn waiter
• Fong Yue as Prostitute
• Sai Gwa-pau as Brothel worker
• Kam Tin-chue as Brothel guest
• Tony Lee as Gambler
• Tam Wai-man as Casino bouncer
• Lam Chi-tai as Prison guard
• Robert Mak as Prison guard
• Wong Chi-ming as Prison guard
• Hung Ling-ling as Prostitute
• Lui Hung as Prostitute
• Alan Chan

Theme song

• True Colors of a Beautiful Hero (美雄本色) (Cantonese) / Beauty Renowned to the World (五湖四海美名揚) (Mandarin)
  • Composer: Joseph Koo
  • Lyricist: Sun Yi
  • Singer: Jenny Tseng

Reception

Critical

Ian Jane of DVD Talk gave the film a positive review and writes "The film might seem a little dated considering that it came out in the mid-eighties, past the genre's prime by a bit of a margin, but it stands as a good example of how fun and exciting a well made Shaw Brothers swordplay could be when delivered by a dedicated director and a talented cast."^[1]

Box office

The film grossed HK$2,716,494 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 12 to 26 April 1979 in Hong Kong.^{[citation needed]}