The Legend of the Book and the Sword

Starring:

• Pang Man Kin as Chan Ka Lok
  
• Jacqueline Law as Fok Ching Dong
  
• Fiona Leung as Heung Heung (Princess Fragrance)
  
• Sek Sau as The Fourth Brother
  
• Simon Yam as Qian Long
  
• Liu Kai Chi as The Seventh Brother
  
• Lawrence Ng as The Fourteenth Brother
  
• Kitty Lai as Li Yuanzhi
  
• Chan Man Yee as The Fourth Brother's wife
  
• Jamie Sik as The Beautiful Jade.
  

"LEGEND OF THE BOOK AND THE SWORD" was based on the first novel by the famous writer of kung-fu novels, Jin Yong. The series followed quite closely to the novel, only the love plots were extended a little bit. "LEGEND OF THE BOOK AND THE SWORD", like any Jin Yong's novel, is about love, loyalty, secret society, heroes and heroines, and historical figures.

It is set in the Ching Dynasty during Qian Long's reign. The story revolved around the Red Flower Society (a secret society of the Han people who aimed to overthrow the Ching Emperor) and the myth that Emperor Qian Long is of Han origin. In the series, Qian Long and Chan Ka Lok (the leader of the Red Flower Society) are in fact brothers.

The series explores the emotional struggles of Emperor Qian Long. He is put in a difficult position because he is the Emperor of the Ching Dynasty but is also of Han origin. As the series progresses, we start to feel pity for the Emperor since he is under pressure from many people: the Dowager, his own brother, and his own origin.

Chan Ka Lok is supposed to be the hero of the series, a young man with intelligence and great martial skill. However, I don't think the character is built up to that level. In the series, he seems like a lovesick boy who cannot even tell who he loves more. He is trapped in the love triangle between the two sisters: the Princess Fragrance and Fok Ching Dong. He is attracted to Princess Fragrance because of her beauty and innocence and because he is too nice to reject her. However, he was first attracted to Ching Dong because she is a great strategist and she could help him with his goal to overthrow the Ching Dynasty. However, he has never really expressed his feelings towards her.

The actor who plays Chan Ka Lok has this annoying expression on his face all the time. He seems like he is in deep thought and misery all the time that I wonder what his problem is, probably only his love life. I like Fiona Leung and Jacqueline Law in their roles. Jacqueline Law fits the role as a heroine and Fiona is so cute and innocent as Heung Heung.

Simon Yam was perfect as the Emperor Qian Long. I like the scenes in which he met his real mother, and when his real mother was killed but he could not do anything. Simon Yam expressed the intense emotion in those scenes very well. There were also subplots about other members of the Red Flower Society like the Seven Brother and the Fourteenth Brother. Kitty Lai was really charming in her role as the lover of the Fourteenth Brother. Her character added the amusing factor into the series. My own opinion might be affected by the fact that I am a big fan of Kitty Lai but I think that she is really cute and fits to play such playful and sweet character.

However, I really pity that the series or the book itself did not give more space to each character, like an introduction to their backgrounds and why they joined the Society. I would be satisfied if each character was developed more fully and also to see some changes in the character of Chan Ka Lok.

Overall, with a great plot and a wonderful cast of Golden 80s, the series is ultimately enjoyable.

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