Legend of the Condor Heroes 2006 (Ariel Lin, Hu Ge)

[NuDaFu]

After perusing this LOCH 08 thread and ones elsewhere, I've decided not to buy this version.
I may check out a few more online episodes, but I doubt I'll change my mind.

Yeah well I'm getting the 'unofficial, cheap' version from a local Asian DVD vendor. If the series had all the YK/MNC parts cut out (which would make the series significantly shorter IMO) I maybe would buy the 'official, pricy' version. As much as I appreciate this version, the idea of a wuxia (a Jin Yong one at that!) drama with such a low regard for martial art performance boggles my mind. Especially when I know they could've done better, considering Young Yang Warriors had excellent emotional and martial art performances.

anyone watch this yet? how is this version compare to the TVB version? is this better? i want to watch it but not sure if it's worth my time, i totallyh dislike huang xiao ming royal tramp version so i was wondering if this probably the same....i usually think on those classic ones TVB ones are the best so yeah...

I suggest watching a drama for its own merits before comparing it to previous versions. Everyone's view is different, so judging for yourself is a good way to go. Maybe you can watch some MVs to get a 'taste' of what some scenes are like from the series?

And no, the producers of LOCH08' are not the same who came out with HXM's Lu Ding Ji (a ZJZ production).

I wouldn't base my 'bests' on TVB productions. It is an adaptation of a novel, so I'd base it on the novel if I were to base it on anything. And no, this is not being a 'fanatical novel purist' but offering a point base to compare from. As enjoyable as the TVB version was, it was really quite melo-dramatic. The novel can still take my breath away at every repeated reading.

@FishingPole: Cool username!

Interesting how LOCH08' retained major events in the story but just shifted some timeline wise, e.g. YK and GJ competition was at the end rather than near the start. Loved OYK's fighting prowess despite being crippled when the Jin were surrounded by the Mongols. Funny how filming of HR's 'coronation' as head of the Beggar Following (I never thought 'clan' or 'cult' was appropriate for the meaning of 'bang') coincided with Ariel's own birthday. I still believed they tried too hard with YK's character (script writers must've been obssessed with YK)..."If I don't lie I won't recognise who I am", meant to be angsty and meaningful but just came across to me as an unwillingness to take responsibility for the things one says or does. I don't really feel YH has that innately noble presence I associate with YK, and his 'evil' looks just seemed petulant to me.

[Exodus]

I like this version very much

[12blbl]

at last i had finished this series, although there were lacks here and there, including changes of the original plot, i think this series was really great, ariel lin really brighten the show, as i've written before, her character was the closest to the novel,than other HR i've already watched ( i've watched four LOCH untill now ), except barbara yung, i can not compare with her, because i forgot how she acted, although i always remember how great she is as HR.
As Hu ge, at first i got annoyed by his acting, that i think not very suited, his crying scene, his dumb act, i don't know the exact word "not very manly", too noisy i think, but when the series progressed, his character was more improved, and fit with GJ character that i've always imagined.
GJ and HR chemistry was really great, i like them a lot, i might want to edit my review before, i think there is no draggy scene in their together scene at all ( as now i watched it with sub ).
My next fav character was the beggar chief clan, i think he was awsome compare to 2003. As yang kang, i think his acting was great, although i don't like his changes character, as MNC i still think that the actress who played it not very good,too plain. all in all from scale 1 to 5, i gave this series 4 star, very worth to watched

[NuDaFu]

at last i had finished this series, although there were lacks here and there, including changes of the original plot

My next fav character was the beggar chief clan, i think he was awsome compare to 2003.

There were meant to changes to the plot. Producers have to cater to the fact that some audiences would get bored of a well known plot. I actually thought the scriptwriters were quite smart in generally keeping the essence and major events of the novel plot, but added some refreshing perspectives to character motivations.

Did you know that the guy who played HQG also portrayed GJ in 1983's ROCH. In my family, we refer to him as the 'old GJ'.

[gokong]

Did you know that the guy who played HQG also portrayed GJ in 1983's ROCH. In my family, we refer to him as the 'old GJ'.

My family refer to the guy as old GJ too.

[sarakoth]

Currently watching it on VeohTV.

Much much better than I expected (and I wasn't exactly expecting very little)

[MysticDust]

My family refer to the guy as old GJ too.

Oh my gawd, my family too. Crazy. lol

[LiarLiar]

Oh my gawd, my family too. Crazy. lol

Well, since all of you are joining in I guess I'll do it too. My family called him old GJ also. We called Andy Lau YG, Tong Leung WXB, and Felix Wong GJ.

[NuDaFu]

Woohoo! Example of Jung's universal mind...great family minds think alike?


Me, Gokong, MysticDust, LiarLiar all refer to Liang Jia Ren (ROCH83' GJ, LOCH08' HQG) as 'old GJ'.



@LiarLiar: My family also called Andy Lau as YG, and Felix Wong as 'young GJ'. Idy Chan was forever XLN/GuGu.

Despite the negative expectations/comments on Ariel Lin as HR, I for one truly admire her professional dedication to the role. Going through the news bits for LOCH08', Ariel refused to watch previous HR performances so she didn't have to compare nor be influenced by others (very wise methinks), and read all the different adaptations of LOCH (hope she stayed away from the most recent one though...*shudders*), plus a literary analysis on 'Jin Yong's Huang Rong'. Didn't know such a book exists, would love to read it. I'd imagine there would be character analyses of other Jin Yong's characters too. Reading something specifically on YG or ZM would be so fabulous.

Some actors/actresses never even touch the very novel their character is adapted from...which IMO is very silly. But then we can have the other extreme, e.g. Christopher Lee/Sauruman re-reads LOTR trilogy every single year (wouldn't one remember it after a few rounds of reading?).

[strawberry]

Currently watching it on VeohTV.

Much much better than I expected (and I wasn't exactly expecting very little)

Seeing that you use Veoh TV too, I have a question, previously, i didn't have problem with it but now everything I attempt to download comes to the message the server is busy...I have sent feedback to Veoh but they din't reply...do you know what's the problem? will appreciate that...thks!

[NuDaFu]

Seeing that you use Veoh TV too, I have a question, previously, i didn't have problem with it but now everything I attempt to download comes to the message the server is busy...I have sent feedback to Veoh but they din't reply...do you know what's the problem? will appreciate that...thks!

Something as simple as busy traffic? Depending on the time, we do get odd bursts of too many people downloading same thing at once.

Much much better than I expected (and I wasn't exactly expecting very little)

Hehehe...just being annoyingly pedantic...think you meant you weren't expecting 'a lot' rather than 'very little'.

Why's that though? Most mains were in no way majorly 'weak' in acting ability. True both Hu Ge and Ariel are 'idol' stars, but they both certainly can act. Though I don't think of Ariel as an 'idol' star, even though she is in 'idol' dramas. She was nominated in the 'Best Actress' category in the prestigous Golden Horse awards very early on in her career.

[strawberry]

Something as simple as busy traffic? Depending on the time, we do get odd bursts of too many people downloading same thing at once.

I thought so too but after monitoring the situation for a month plus, I don't think that's the reason.

[sniffles]

(snip)Ariel refused to watch previous HR performances so she didn't have to compare nor be influenced by others (very wise methinks), and read all the different adaptations of LOCH (hope she stayed away from the most recent one though...*shudders*), plus a literary analysis on 'Jin Yong's Huang Rong'. Didn't know such a book exists, would love to read it. I'd imagine there would be character analyses of other Jin Yong's characters too. Reading something specifically on YG or ZM would be so fabulous.

What do you mean by "read different adaptations"? What's the most recent one, and what's so shudder-worthy about it?

I recently read a scholarly analysis of Jin Yong's work and career: Paper Swordsmen - Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel, by John Christopher Hamm. But it doesn't give much character analysis of HR.

There's another book I haven't yet read, The Jin Yong Phenomenon: Chinese Martial Arts Fiction and Modern Chinese Literary History, by Anne Huss and Jianmei Liu. They're both available from Amazon.

Some actors/actresses never even touch the very novel their character is adapted from...which IMO is very silly. But then we can have the other extreme, e.g. Christopher Lee/Sauruman re-reads LOTR trilogy every single year (wouldn't one remember it after a few rounds of reading?).

I don't read the LOTR trilogy every year like Mr. Lee, but I did read it three times before the first movie was released. I get something new out of it every time.

[NuDaFu]

I thought so too but after monitoring the situation for a month plus, I don't think that's the reason.

Maybe contact VeohTV admins?

Or try watching it on Youtube? I believe up to episode 32 has been posted on Youtube.

What do you mean by "read different adaptations"? What's the most recent one, and what's so shudder-worthy about it?

I recently read a scholarly analysis of Jin Yong's work and career: Paper Swordsmen - Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel, by John Christopher Hamm. But it doesn't give much character analysis of HR.

There's another book I haven't yet read, The Jin Yong Phenomenon: Chinese Martial Arts Fiction and Modern Chinese Literary History, by Anne Huss and Jianmei Liu. They're both available from Amazon.

I believe Jin Yong re-edited LOCH more than once (correct me if I'm wrong though). At least in the most recent version, there were changes like creating a 'relationship' between HYS and MCF (the *shudder* element). I don't remember which post it was in (Translations section?) where a very good translator compared and noted down all the changes found in the most recent version.

I've flicked through 'Paper Swordsmen - Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel', didn't find it terribly interesting. Felt it was more for non-Chinese background readers who had not much knowledge of the Jin Yong world.

Haven't heard of the 2nd book you mentioned...need to check local China Books store.

I don't read the LOTR trilogy every year like Mr. Lee, but I did read it three times before the first movie was released. I get something new out of it every time.

Mr Lee is a Tolkien 'perfectionist' IMO...doesn't surprise me if he read LOTR religiously every year. I've never read LOTR and don't have the urge too - Eddings and Feist are fine for me - repeated reading of JY's Condor Trilogy alway bring something new for me.

[owbjhx]

I've flicked through 'Paper Swordsmen - Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel', didn't find it terribly interesting. Felt it was more for non-Chinese background readers who had not much knowledge of the Jin Yong world.

Haven't heard of the 2nd book you mentioned...need to check local China Books store.

I've read both of those books. Hamm's book is an academic study of the Jinyong phenomenon written from the perspective of Western media studies, while the Huss & Liu book is a collection of academic articles (including one by Hamm) - some written by Western academics, others translated from Chinese - on various aspects of JY's work.

I think they're the first two published pieces of English-language Jinology. Frankly they're a bit mediocre as far as lit-crit goes, although Hamm (in both his book and his article) is notably more insightful than the other writers. In particular, it surprises me that none of the academics saw fit to ask the question of how good JY's work actually is. I am a fan, but I think the man is quite a flawed writer given the acclaim he gets, and the way these academics blithely piled their intellectual frameworks atop his novels without consideration for whether they can really bear the weight suggests that few of them have really bothered to subject the texts to any sort of close reading.

[sniffles]

I've read both of those books. Hamm's book is an academic study of the Jinyong phenomenon written from the perspective of Western media studies, while the Huss & Liu book is a collection of academic articles (including one by Hamm) - some written by Western academics, others translated from Chinese - on various aspects of JY's work.

I think they're the first two published pieces of English-language Jinology. Frankly they're a bit mediocre as far as lit-crit goes, although Hamm (in both his book and his article) is notably more insightful than the other writers. In particular, it surprises me that none of the academics saw fit to ask the question of how good JY's work actually is. I am a fan, but I think the man is quite a flawed writer given the acclaim he gets, and the way these academics blithely piled their intellectual frameworks atop his novels without consideration for whether they can really bear the weight suggests that few of them have really bothered to subject the texts to any sort of close reading.

Paper Swordsmen is a difficult read because it began life as a doctoral dissertation IIRC. It's not written to be entertainment. I consider myself a very literate person with a large vocabulary, but some of Hamm's verbiage choices left me wishing I had an unabridged Webster's dictionary lying around.

Personally I'd say Jin Yong writes a damn fine tale. If I can enjoy them despite the vagaries and inconsistencies of fan translation, I think they're good.

[sarakoth]

Seeing that you use Veoh TV too, I have a question, previously, i didn't have problem with it but now everything I attempt to download comes to the message the server is busy...I have sent feedback to Veoh but they din't reply...do you know what's the problem? will appreciate that...thks!

I never download anything, only stream.

Sorry I'm no help.

[sarakoth]

I know this looks like spam but . . .

AMAZING!!!
AMAZING!!!
AMAZING!!!

Seriously, I can watch this all day.

[strawberry]

I know this looks like spam but . . .

AMAZING!!!
AMAZING!!!
AMAZING!!!

Seriously, I can watch this all day.

What is amazing? you mean this serial?

[12blbl]

I believe Jin Yong re-edited LOCH more than once (correct me if I'm wrong though). At least in the most recent version, there were changes like creating a 'relationship' between HYS and MCF (the *shudder* element). I don't remember which post it was in (Translations section?) where a very good translator compared and noted down all the changes found in the most recent version.

I

you're right, as far as i know, there are 3 editions, i heard from first and the second the changing is about yang guo's mother, MNC was died together with yang kang in the first,( i only read first edition), she really read all three edition?, very admire her, this series is the first time i saw her, i really want to watch her in different series