Crimson Sabre
From DramaWiki
Casts
Gordon Lam as Yuen Sing Chi
Melissa Ng as Wan Yee/ Wan Sin
Kong Wah as Ha Suet Yee/Golden Snake Warrior
Charmaine Sheh - Ah Gau/Princess Cheung Ping
Sarah Au as Ha Ching Ching
Emily Kwan as Ho Hung Yuet
No. of Episodes : 35
Setting
Jin Yong had a penchant for integrating most of his stories seamlessly into China's history, from the Song Dynasty all the way to the Ching, and as far as I know the Crimson Sabre is the only story which deals with the fall of a dynasty within its story. The three-way power struggle between the Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng and the Manchus was well-utilised, with characters from all three sides playing a major role in the story. From Yuan Chonghuan to Dorgon, the historical characters and fictitious characters complement each other, and make the story immensely believable. Major events like the death of Huang Taiji to minor issues like the rivalry between Li Yan and Niu Jinxing in the Dashun camp were portrayed and dramatised very well. Of course, this is more credit to Jin Yong than to TVB, but it definitely makes the show worth watching for historical value as well.
Review
I rate this series a 3.5. It's good entertainment, and you learn a fair bit about the fall of the Ming (it's *almost* accurate - Chongzhen is recorded as having died with a eunuch, not a general), but it's probably not good enough to merit watching more than once. I prefer it to the Wong Yat Wah version in the 1980s - I found the structure of that series not quite as easy to follow. Basically, Crimson Sabre is an enjoyable heroic story in which the good guy beats up the bad guy, most of his friends survive, and they all live happily ever after. The bad guys don't really stand a chance, and that's where the story fails a bit. The plot basically has to move along with the fall of the Ming, and as such doesn't really move much on its own. Sing Chi could have killed Chongzhen the moment he left Huashan, but history dictates that Sing Chi does not get that chance, and hence he has to go on little adventures to pass time while Li Zicheng builds up strength. The bits with Ha Suet Yee and Wan Yee/Wan Sin are the best moments in the show, but they are sadly too short.
Credits: Ian Liew