A 90-minute film, playing non-stop every minute, is certainly unimaginable to this day.
But 37 years ago, Zhang Che did it. He not only "gathered" Dillon, Chen Guantai, David Jiang, Leung Ka-jen, Andy Lau and other "Thirteen Taibao", but also let them play cool in a film, which is the "Thirteen Taibao on the Beach" released in 1984.
This film can be called a representative work of Zhang Che in the late stage of his directing career, continuing his consistent film style, both violent aesthetics and heroic feelings.
On the other hand, Zhang Che gathered several generations of Zhang family disciples in the movie, as if Zhang Che, who was over the age of a flower armour, had accumulated all his strength and released it in the film, which was somewhat sad that "the martyr was in his twilight years and had a strong heart". Director Zhang Che has been dead for 19 years now.
This film not only caused quite a stir at the time, but also had a certain impact on later directors and films, such as the film "October Siege" directed by Chen Desen, which can be said to be the 09 version of "Shanghai Beach Thirteen Taibao", but the fight scene in it is not as wonderful as in Zhang Che's version of the film.
The story structure of the movie "Shanghai Beach Thirteen Taibao" is actually very simple, telling the story of "bodyguards and assassins".
The story takes place in Shanghai Beach during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, where the patriot Mr. Gao joins forces with the black hat (Wang Yu) to steal the contract signed by the "traitor" and prepare to make the evidence of these crimes public.
At this time, the Thirteenth Taibao of Shanghai Beach was ordered to receive an order from the wealthy businessman Shen Gangfu (Chen Guantai) to escort Mr. Gao to Hong Kong.
However, unfortunately, the leader of the "Han traitor", Hong Shuwu (Chang Feng), discovered this incident and took action, not only arranging for the martial arts master Wei Xiaotian (Zhang Tailun) to hunt down and kill Mr. Gao, but also trying to bribe some of the thirteen Taibao people to make them defect and assassinate Mr. Gao.
Thus, the drama of constantly sacrificing bloodshed, fighting monsters and escalating, and escorting "commissioners" began.
"Thirteen Taibao, a husband and wife, teach the head of the fast knife, the prodigal son of the rich, the young master of the student, the bear, the tiger, the eagle and the leopard, the glasses and the cigarette butt, and the spear cannot escape." This is an iconic passage in the film, popular as a nursery rhyme, describing the thirteen Taibao people.
01. Shen Gangfu (played by Chen Guantai)
Shen Gangfu is the absolute leader of the Thirteenth Taibao, known as "one husband is in charge", and he is also a rich businessman and big man in Shanghai Beach, with a high social status, and a good personal charm, with special skills that can "respond to a hundred responses".
Because of this, he was able to lead the Thirteen Taibao to carry out the arduous task of escorting Mr. Gao. Moreover, in order to ensure his absolute control over the Thirteenth Taibao, Shen Gangfu was also able to balance the forces of all sides with ease.
In addition, his martial arts were also very strong, and he was able to subdue Wei Xiaotian who had provoked him in three or two moves. As a result, he was able to live to the end.
From the perspective of actors, Chen Guantai is also very suitable for this role, not to mention the big guy image he has successfully created in other movies, from the perspective of kung fu alone, he is worthy of the role of "Thirteen Taibao Boss".
It is understood that Chen Guantai once worshiped the apprentice of Geng Dehai, the founder of the Great Saint Splitting Gate, as a teacher and practiced martial arts from an early age.
At the age of 22, through the introduction of friends, Chen Guantai became a martial arts instructor in Liu Jiaban. Later, he was favored by Zhang Che and was collectively referred to as the second generation of disciples with Dillon and Jiang David.
Under the leadership of "mentor" Zhang Che, he has performed well in many films, and Zhang Che also tailored "Ma Yongzhen" for him, becoming one of the most influential kung fu stars at that time.
02. Godhead (Played by Dillon)
The head of the sect is a first-class master of martial arts in the Thirteen Taibao, and with his own kung fu, he easily killed Wei Xiaotian and Black Eagle, and lived with Shen Gangfu to the end.
Dillon, who plays the godhead, is not an ordinary character. He is one of the four little dragons in the Hong Kong film industry, the other "three dragons" are Bruce Lee, Bruce Leung and Jackie Chan.
And in that year, Dillon's appearance was a must, and even could be described by the word "beautiful", killing many small fresh meats today.
Even at the age of 40, with countless fans of "The True Colors of Heroes", he has created the image of a righteous tough guy and ushered in the second spring of his career.
Moreover, his son Tan Junyan also inherited his father's business and stepped into the film and television circle, participating in film and television works such as "Forensic Pioneer 4" and "The Ultimate Confession Eighteen Years Later".
03. Fast Knife Xiang Fang (played by Cheng Tianci)
Fast Knife Xiangfang is a mysterious killer in the Thirteen Taibao, and he is bought off by Hong Shuwu and spares no effort to hunt down and kill Mr. Gao.
In the film, he is ruthless, strong in martial arts, and can be described as steady and fierce when using flying knives, and is a fierce enemy of bodyguards.
But he is also a very "tangled" assassin, and this "entanglement" is vividly displayed in his final showdown with the godhead.
In fact, in the confrontation, he also had a certain chance of winning, but for the sake of the morality in his heart, he finally chose to die and died at the hands of the sect leader.
This role has also been loved by many people, who are impressed by his high martial arts, angry at his betrayal and surrender to the enemy, and admired by his spirit of dying without hesitation.
With the foundation of practicing Peking Opera since childhood, coupled with a handsome appearance, the actor Cheng Tianci who played Xiang Fang was once deeply loved by Zhang Che, and Zhang Che also praised him, but not long after, Zhang Che turned to the mainland, and Cheng Tianci gradually shifted from the screen to the backstage.
04. Prodigal Ye Bufan (played by David Jiang)
The prodigal son Ye Bufan is the brother-in-law of Shen Gangfu, the owner of a casino in Shanghai Beach, and the "bodyguard" of the Thirteen Taibao.
As a casino owner, Ye Bufan is brave and resourceful, elegant and wise, and has a high status. And what is rare is that he has the spirit of national righteousness and is willing to sacrifice himself in order to escort Mr. Gao.
His weapon in the film is a scarf, and not only does it not have the rudeness of a samurai, but it is full of dashing and flowing between moves; but it is also very fierce and does not hesitate to kill people. But in the end, he died under the surprise attack of the fast knife, which is really regrettable.
In the 70s, David Jiang was Shaw's most popular martial arts student, and Dillon was the golden CP of that era. His handsomeness is not a handsome little student, but a cynical cool handsome.
David Jiang stepped into the show business circle as early as the age of 4 and is a full child star.
But it was not until he was 21 years old that he was discovered by Zhang Che and accepted under his command, and together with Chen Guantai became the second generation of disciples of the Zhang family class.
The following year, in 1969, David Jiang became the first Asian film emperor in the history of Hong Kong, China, with his brilliant performance in the film "Revenge" directed by Zhang Che.
Back in the movie, we have to admire Zhang Che's poisonous and spicy eyes, the then 37-year-old Jiang David, can be said to be the most suitable ZhangJiaban disciple for ye bufan's role: his face has traces of uninhibited breath, a white scarf and a gentle and elegant temperament, easily interpreting Ye Bufan's character characteristics.
Nowadays, although David Jiang has passed his ancient age, he can still be seen on the TV screen. In the movie "Sui Xian I" released in 2019 and the three TV series in 2020, there is a figure of Jiang David, and the acting skills are online, which can be described as a sword that is not old.
05. Rich Man Tao Daye (played by Leung Ka-jen)
The rich man Tao Daye, like Ye Bufan, is Shen Gangfu's brother-in-law, is also the "bodyguard" of the Thirteen Taibao, and is also a first-class master.
But unlike Ye Bufan, he is more uninhibited, more able to enjoy life, can be described as eating, drinking, gambling and sampling proficiency, not only has a number of aunts, but also because of lustful often lingering in the flower street Willow Lane.
It was precisely because of this that Tao Daye's physical condition and martial arts level continued to decline, and he was eventually killed by Luo Hu.
Tao Daye's actor Liang Jiaren debuted very early, not only often participated in the works directed by Zhang Che, but also often cooperated with xingye Zhou Xingchi, and the Wu Zhuangyuan who had a crush on Pomegranate Sister in the movie "Tang Bohu Dian Qiu Xiang" was played by Liang Jiaren, showing his kung fu and funny skills.
Although many people are not familiar with Liang Jiaren now, in those days, he was also a well-known "big hero professional household", once upon a time, Zhou Xingchi was a small soldier for him in "Tianlong Eight Parts".
Nowadays, Liang Jiaren has also passed the age of ancient rarity, and he has been worn out on the screen for nearly 50 years, leaving many classic screen images. And he is still working continuously, only in 2020, he has participated in 9 movies, which can be described as a sword that is not old.
06. Student Guan Wei (played by Andy Lau)
Student Guan Wei can be described as the youngest and handsome "bodyguard" in the Thirteen Taibao, and also the lover of the sister of the rich man Tao Daye.
He is stunning when he appears, and the combination of white mountain suits and white sneakers makes him charming. In addition, he is extraordinary, still the overall situation, and has the spirit of national righteousness.
When Mr. Gao was captured in the villa of the rich man Tao Daye, the student Guan Wei appeared dressed in white, he operated two steel forks, and engaged in a deadly struggle with Luo Hu, and finally he saved Mr. Gao's safety, but died in his girlfriend's arms.
In fact, the role of student Guan Wei, Zhang Che is reserved for Fu Sheng, he is one of Zhang Che's most beloved disciples, handsome in appearance, superb in martial arts.
But fu sheng died in a car accident in 1983, when Zhang Che was said to have cried to the point of not being able to do it.
In the end, this role fell to Andy Lau, who was somewhat similar to Fu Sheng, and Andy Lau did not fail Zhang Che and played the role of the student to the extreme.
Many years later, Andy Lau still laments when recalling this movie.
07. Young Master Liang Shaoxiong (played by Li Zhongyi)
Young Master Liang Shaoxiong was Shen Gangfu's subordinate, the strongest and most tragic "bodyguard" of the Thirteen Taibao. Like his students, he was young, handsome, and strong in martial arts.
But the difference is that he is more of a cold heart than a student's romance.
In the whole process of fighting monsters, the young master was the first to be injured, but he persevered to the end: he was scratched by the leopard and stabbed by the fast knife, but he still fought with injuries, but because the injuries were too serious, he finally died at the hands of a group of minions.
His actor, Lee Chung-yi, is a Taiwanese actor who has participated in a small number of works, but has worked with Zhang Che 4 times. Perhaps also because Zhang Che turned to the mainland, Li Zhongyi gradually disappeared from the screen.
08. Xiong Li (played by Wang Qing)
Like the fast knife, Xiong Li was also bribed by Hong Shuwu to hunt down and kill Mr. Gao.
People who have seen "Shanghai Beach Thirteen Taibao" will definitely be brainwashed by Xiong Li's demonic laughter, and what is important is that he also laughs from the beginning to the end, and he is laughing when he loses, which is also an important symbol of him, which is a more interesting element in the movie.
In the film, Xiong Li is also a very "tangled" person, in addition to his gambling skills, his martial arts level is really incomprehensible: saying that he is strong is always suppressed; saying that he is not good, he can also do the young master. However, he eventually died under the extraordinary scarf of the prodigal son.
When Wang Qing, the actor who played Xiong Li, made his debut, due to his image, he often played the big villain, coupled with his unique appearance, he won the nickname of "Dakou Qing".
In addition to movies, he also shines in the field of TV dramas, and one of the most well-known roles should be the blue-winged bat king in Wu Qihua's version of "Yitian Slaughtering Dragon".
09. Luo Hu (played by Lu Feng)
Known as a tiger, Luo Hu is an assassin in the Thirteen Taibao and is bribed by Hong Shuwu to hunt down and kill Mr. Gao.
Unlike other bodyguards and assassins, Luo Hu's martial arts were mediocre, but his strategy was superior, and he could be called a military master Wu Yong, especially the big "kill" word in front of his chest was very eye-catching.
With his clear mind, Luo Hu can skillfully find the flaws of the other party before each confrontation, and can defeat the other party with one or two thousand golds, even when facing the rich man Tao Daye, he can easily break the enemy.
Although he died with the students in the end, it was already a great achievement to be able to overthrow the students with his martial arts, and this life was worth it.
The actor who plays Luo Hu is called Lu Feng, a fourth-generation disciple of Zhang Jiaban, who once won the Most Outstanding Supporting Actor Award in Action Film Acting at the 25th Asian Film Festival for his film "City Hero".
He then followed his mentor Zhang Che and participated in "The Thirteenth Taibao of Shanghai Beach", but after that, he gradually turned to the background and concentrated on martial arts instruction.
10. Black Hawk Hu DaDao (played by Chen Xing)
From the perspective of martial arts alone, he should be regarded as an upper-middle level among assassins, but due to the late appearance, there is not much room to play, plus his opponent is a first-class master Dillon, and it is not difficult to imagine that he took a box lunch not long after his appearance.
Chen Xing, the actor who plays Black Hawk, is the second-generation disciple of the Zhangjia class, and he is considered to have joined the Zhangjia class relatively early. However, he is not as "favored" as other disciples, not only has no chance of starring, but also often plays the villain. Like in this movie, he not only plays a villain, but also has a short appearance time.
It was not until after leaving Zhang Che that Chen Xing gained some popularity, and some works with Wu Siyuan made more and more people know him. But alas, he left us forever in 2019 at the age of 83.
11. Yuan Hai,The Great Leopard (played by Qi Guanjun)
Yuan Hai, nicknamed the Great Leopard, is one of the Thirteen Taibao, and he and his younger brother Yuan Jiang, the little leopard, occupy a place in the Thirteen Taibao, so there are actually fourteen people in the Thirteenth Taibao, plus the boss Shen Gangfu, this movie is actually a battle of fifteen people.
The characteristics of the big leopard in the film are very obvious, that is, two words - arrogance. However, he also has arrogant capital, that is, he is very high in martial arts and can seriously injure the young master.
But his death was also "arrogant" enough--the scene of being pulled out of the ribs by the young master and dying was shocking.
The actor who plays the big leopard is Qi Guanjun, who is the third-generation disciple of Zhang Jiaban, in addition to which he also has two well-known identities - the authentic descendant of Huang Feihong and the nephew of Liu Jialiang. But these names did not make him red, far less than Fu Sheng at the same time.
12. Little Leopard Yuan Jiang (played by You Shaolan)
The little leopard Yuan Jiang can be said to be one of the assassins with a lot of intentions, after being bribed, he lurked under the hands of the sect leader for two years without being discovered, and even fought with the assassin Black Hawk during this period, but was eventually taken down by the fast knife Xiang Fang.
The actor who plays the little leopard is named You Shaolan, but he has left very few traces on the Internet, and only traces can be traced to his participation in the event in 2017 as the honorary president of the Chinese Shaolin Hongquan Association.
You Shaolan, who faded out of the entertainment circle, chose to carry forward the Chinese Shaolin Hongquan, which is also a good destination.
13. Glasses (played by Wang Zhong)
Wang Zhong, known as a spectacle, runs a tailor shop, but at the same time he is also a subordinate of Shen Gangfu. The identity of the owner of the tailor shop, compared with other Taibao, can be said to be too inconspicuous.
And his weight in the film seems to be the same as his identity, appearing early, dying early, not even fighting the Assassins, and finally being killed by his own men.
However, judging from the characters in the film, the glasses do not value fame and fortune, and there are some idle clouds and wild crane temperaments, and there is some disdain for the name of the Thirteen taibao, but he still has the spirit of the great righteousness of the famous family and dares to use his body to block bullets.
The actor who plays the glasses is named Wang Zhong, a second-generation disciple of the Zhang family class, and is also the brother of the actor Wang Qing (who plays Xiong Li).
After acting in "Thirteen Taibao on the Beach", he began to try his hand at directing, and in 1990 directed the film "Goldfinger", with which he was also the founder of the realistic police film.
In addition, he also has a good performance in the movie "Wu Zhuangyuan Su Qi'er" that we are familiar with, and he is played by the elder of the beggar gang in the film.
14. Cigarette mouth Feng Jinbang (played by Jiang Sheng)
Feng Jinbang, known as a cigarette mouth, is one of Shen Gangfu's subordinates and a bodyguard full of justice. The cigarette butt he often put in his mouth was actually his weapon, and his nickname came from it.
The actor who plays the cigarette mouth is named Jiang Sheng, also known as Zhao Gangsheng and Shao Kangsheng, and is the fourth generation of disciples of the Zhang family class. It is most appropriate to describe his life in 8 words of fate and natural envy.
Jiang Sheng can be called an all-rounder, in addition to being an actor, he also has multiple identities such as director, executive director, and action design.
It is understood that in addition to acting time, he has spent on the study of martial arts movements and produced many excellent works.
But after the death of his wife, he was completely decadent, living with alcohol all day, and finally died suddenly at home in 1990 at the age of 39, 31 years ago.
15. Long gun can not escape Xiao Yang (played by Li Xiuxian)
The spear is difficult to escape Xiao Yang ranked last in the "nursery rhyme", and he is also worthy of this ranking, not only is the martial arts average, the first assassin to die; and the brain seems to be a little difficult to make.
However, his gun has always been bulletless, which has also achieved his name of "long gun can not escape".
Xiao Yang was the first to appear in the Thirteen Taibao, but he could only use a gun and basically could not fight and kick, which also laid the foundation for his dramatic death.
And what he is good at is long-distance sniping, but when he assassinates, he is ambushed in a place where there is only a distance of about 20 meters, and the result can be imagined, the assassination is not enough to be reversed, Wei Xiaotian will ko Xiao Yang between three fists and two feet.
Although Xiao Yang in the film is insignificant, his actor Li Xiuxian is indeed a pivotal person. Although Li Xiuxian was the third generation disciple of Zhang Jiaban, he had never been loved by Zhang Che, and Zhang Che had never praised him.
But Li Xiuxian is indeed a person who knows how to repay the favor, even if Zhang Che does not value him and does not praise him, he also regards Zhang Che as his mentor as filial piety, and many times in the public scene to thank Zhang Che, saying that "without Zhang Che, there would be no him today."
Although Zhang Che did not praise him, Li Xiuxian broke through in the last century, and he was well known for his portrayal of a policeman with a strong sense of justice, and since then he has played mostly positive roles with a strong sense of justice. Some people say that he is synonymous with the word "hero" of that era.
Judging from the film itself, the whole film is full of male masculinity, and the only sons and daughters are also submerged in the national righteousness, showing the patriotic spirit, indomitable spirit and heroic side of the patriots in that era.
And in the 90 minutes of the whole movie, the actors did not play for a minute, and it was this kind of playing scene that aroused the surging enthusiasm in the audience's heart.
Zhang Che's bold way of handling not only simply and rudely outlines the violent aesthetics of the film, but also makes people's emotions have a catharsis, which is a successful film. (Author: West Window Snow)