The Pirate (4½ Stars)

This film, made by Shaw Brothers in 1973, is the most spectacular 1970's Chinese film I've seen. The unusual setting sets it apart. Kung fu fighters on a ship isn't what I'm used to as a fan of martial arts films. Most of the fights take place on the beach, either on the sand or knee deep in water. I didn't realise until the end of the film that it's a true story, or rather a story about a real person. The film doesn't mention any dates, but judging by his Wikipedia page it must have been the early 19th Century. Chang Pao-Chai was a famous pirate who lived from 1783 to 1822. The story, even if it's true, has been simplified. The real Chang Pao-Chai had 280 ships, but the character in the film has only one ship. I'm guessing that the Shaw Brothers budget wasn't big enough to show large naval battles.

Now to the plot: Chang's ship is involved in a battle with a Portugese trading ship. Chang's ship is damaged, but his men board the Portugese ship and take it over. The ship is laden with treasure, but when Chang returns to his own ship he realises that he can't sail very far. They dock in a cove near a fishing village on Lantau Island.

The local ruler, Master Xiang, is cruel. He accuses the fishermen of harbouring pirates on their ships as a pretext for confiscating any money they have from trading in Macao. This leaves the fishermen broke, so they're forced to sell their daughters as prostitutes.

Chang goes on land, disguised as a rich merchant, looking for material to repair his ship. At the dockyard he's moved by the plight of the fishermen and promises to help them by giving them a portion of the treasure he's just captured. He can't keep his promise, because his ship is stolen by Hua Er Dao, another pirate who's recently escaped from prison.

At the same time, General Hu Yi is in the town in disguise, looking for pirates. The officials know a general is in their midst. When they see Chang flaunting his wealth, they think he's the general, and they give him an extravagant welcome.

Hu Yi eventually recognises Chang. All this leads to breath-taking fights on the beach. I can't describe them, they have to be seen to believed. After finally defeating Chang, Hu Yi refuses to arrest him. He recognises that Chang is a noble man, whereas Master Xiang is the real criminal. The final dialogue is moving.

Chang: "You're a general and I'm a pirate, so we're enemies".

Hu Yi: "Sometimes an enemy can be your true friend".

The trust that Hu Yi gave Chang was justified. In 1810 Chang retired from piracy and became a captain in the Qing Dynasty navy. He spent the rest of his life chasing pirates.