In the Hong Kong film industry in the 70s, what kind of charm did the film that could beat Bruce Lee have?

In the early 70s, the Hong Kong film industry was filled with a fanaticism for Bruce Lee, the king of kung fu's films whose commercial value was unrivaled, and successively created box office myths!

But in 1973, this international blockbuster "Dragon and Tiger Fight" starring Bruce Lee and co-produced by Hong Kong Jiahe and Warner of the United States lost to "Seventy-Two Tenants" written and directed by Chu Yuan in Hong Kong!

The appearance of "Seventy-Two Tenants" has revived the original lifeless Cantonese film! In the later golden period of Hong Kong films, Cantonese became an absolutely mainstream dialogue, and it can be said that "Seventy-Two Tenants" has a certain far-reaching impact!

At the beginning of the film, a close-up is aimed at a water-poor tap. Water is the source of life and the root pillar of the lives of ordinary people at the grassroots level of society.

Then the camera opened up, and Shanghai Po, played by Shen Dianxia, appeared on the screen.

Shanghai Po: "It's really uneven roads, unknown lights, and unclear running water!" ”

This poor man's rental quarter, which does not even have free water, is home to seventy-two tenants.

Although they are destitute, their neighbors watch over each other like close relatives. In them, there will be no worldly hustle and bustle, and there will be no selfish intrigue.

However, the snobbish landlady Bagu and her lover Prince Ping cannot tolerate this group of kind and simple people.

The plot of this film, in the form of a humorous stage play, tells the story of the battle of wits and courage and anti-expulsion between the 72 tenants and Bagu and Prince Bing.

Poster for the 1963 mainland edition

The story of the film was not new at the time, and before this film, Chinese mainland had already released a movie of the same name in 1963. The original work of this play is a burlesque comedy from Shanghai, and Hong Kong stage dramas have existed for a long time, and Chu Yuan's version of the film is a combination of Shanghai's original comedy and Hong Kong drama, and then adapted!

Like the original, the story background of the original version of Chu is also placed in wartime China before liberation.

In the film, the poor tenant Yang Bo is driven away by Bagu because he owes rent. Outside is a chaotic world, and the homeless Yang Bo may suffer from the flames of war.

At this critical moment, the equally poor neighbors took out the only money they had and solved Yang Bo's troubles for him.

Although the film continues the fearless spirit of the people at the bottom fighting against evil forces in the original work, this is definitely not the reason why the film became popular! Although this plot story with a very grassroots culture took place in the Republic of China era decades ago, the Hong Kong people have glimpsed the shadow of the current Hong Kong society in many plots of the film!

For example, in this episode where Turtle Gong Gu Po buys land from Bagu at a high price to open a brothel, a simple dialogue alludes to the bureaucratic phenomenon of the time.

Prince Bing: "Brother Tong, why do you open so many tour guide clubs (brothels), according to the order?" ”

Guigong: "It's not an order, but her (turtle mother) godfather is the director, confused!" ”

Turtle Po: "I have to give a lot of gifts every New Year's holiday." ”

Prince Bing: "If it is found out, won't her godfather be unlucky?" ”

Prince Zibing: "Then what is there to be afraid of, at most buy a plane ticket and fly to a foreign country as soon as you fly." ”

During the filming of the film, when the Hong Kong and British governments were vigorously fighting corruption and corruption, many high-ranking officials who had embezzled huge amounts of money fled with a ticket after receiving the rumors, and then escaped extrajudicial for many years!

In the film, police officer 369 is a very characteristic funny character, after the success of "Seventy Tenants", Shaw's rival company Jiahe also specially shot a spin-off movie called "369" based on this role.

Although 369 is a servant of the people, he is loyal to money. He coveted small bargains, colluded with Bagu and Prince Bing, and devoted himself to expelling seventy-two tenants, not hesitating to turn the place of truth, goodness and beauty into an obscene place in Fireworks Willow Lane.

Although 369 is a character that already exists in the original work, it is not difficult to see in this version of the film that there are indeed criminal portrayals of the Hong Kong police!

In the name of verification, 369 demanded money from hawkers under the pretext of forging public money.

Hawker: "What for, I won't look at the palm." ”

369: "What look at the palm oh, the price is five quintals of rice (money)." ”

Before the well-known ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) was established, Hong Kong had a dark period of unofficial and uncorrupted people. For example, the phenomenon of exploiting the people for various reasons like 369 simply blossomed everywhere in Hong Kong at that time!

And in a plot where firefighters extinguish the fire, this corruption of public officials is even more shocking!

Firefighter: "There is water (money) and water, there is no water (money) there is no water, ask for water to give water (money), and do not release water without water (money)." "In Cantonese, water is both a colloquial term for water and money!

The fact that bribery is codified by public officials is a norm in daily work.

Although the plot is presented in a funny and funny way, it is said that it is a real phenomenon in Hong Kong society at that time. Fortunately, Prince Bing in the film was just tricked by the tenants and misreported the fire alarm, but in real life, the rule of no money and no water is imperative! Firefighters would rather watch their homes burn to the ground than do their duty if they don't get the benefits.

It can be seen that the Hong Kong audience at that time glimpsed many bits and pieces of life in this film. Coupled with the 72 tenant-style grassroots characters, the spirit of unity and mutual help also reflects the general public in Hong Kong, so it is not difficult to resonate with the audience. This also shows Director Chu Yuan's ability to accurately take the pulse of the taste of the Hong Kong audience!

Another huge highlight of "Seventy-Two Tenants" is the multi-star luxury lineup. It brought together many well-known artists from Shaw and TVB at that time, and even director Chu Yuan couldn't help but make a cameo appearance!