The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017) User Reviews

The Closest to Original Books

[nightringer-76840 · 9/10 · 9 September 2023]

Among all the TV Series of The Legend of the Cordor Heroes, the 1983 and this one, 2017, are the closest to the oroginal novels by Louis Cha. Out of all the Jiang Hu sagas of Louis Cha, She Diao Ying Shiung is the most complicated to translate into the small screen, even more difficult to big screen, due to theany characters, locations and side stories ot has.

I gave big time advantage for the 2017 version due to the CGI effect that enabled the directors to shoot the battle of Hua San at the end of the stories which resulted in the shift of 5 top martial art masters with the addition of Cordor Hero Kuo Jing.

For westerners and first time audience, The Legend of the Condor Heroes is most likely described as too long and over dramatized. However, to Chinese people this story illustrates what a good young man and a good young girl are. At the same time, it illustrates the worldly temptation that will take them to a darker path.

Acting wise, it's interesting to see Michael Miu played Huang You Shi. Michael Mie also played Yang Kang in the 1983 version and he was, IMHO, the best actor to played the lost soul called Yang Kang.

Louis Cha cleverly implanted the continuation of the novels into the story without campaigning it. Qiao Feng of Lay Pang used 18 Dragon Palm, the same style Hung Qi Gong and Guo Jing. Yang Kang and Mu Niancinare the parents of Yang Kao, the main hero of The Romance of Consor Heroes. Guo Jing and Huang Rong made Dragon Sabre and Heaven Sword to hide Wu Mu book and Qiu Yin Cin Cing, which became the main weapons in Dragon Sabre & Heavenly Sword (Yi Thian To Lung Ci). And so on.

For Chinese people, Guo Jing is our Superman. His character and behavior is the example of patriotism and how to behave in society. Huang Rong is the example of how a girl should be, smart, independence, not afraid to serve and always respects the elders.

OK remake, still disappointed

[luxk · 7/10 · 17 February 2021]

Cons: some storylines don't make sense, too much departure from original book, not as loyal translated as the 2003 remake. I also have to appreciate 2003 remake for overall acting and scenes... Though including classic 85 theme 'Tie Xue Dan xin', still too lazy to pass without any new theme songs. Pro: compared to 2003 remake, improved kongfu fighting scenes, as well as CG processed beauty setting, everything looks neat and shining! Of course, the most handsome Huang Yaoshi of Peach Blossom Island. Actually none of those remakes are perfect to match legend of the original novel. I personally prefer 2003 remake despite a little room for improvement.

Very good

[Guo_Jing · 10/10 · 15 May 2019]

First of all, if you're like me and of European descent and culture, you must understand that this is not like what you are used to. Everything is different, from etiquette to fashion to the types of moves somebody can make. You have to understand there's a lot of scenes of people gliding on ropes (invisible, of course) as they fight, as well as ideas from Daoism, Buddhism, etc. You must take away your preconceived notions, turn off your prejudices, and try to embrace it as though you are coming at it as a Chinese person, accept all the cultural idiosyncrasies as just the normal way of life, just as our many cultural idiosyncrasies never receive a second thought by us.

I only began watching Chinese dramas on the first of January. This was the second I ever tried, and it was a slow start for me at first, trudging turtle-like through the first couple episodes. But after a few weeks of experimenting with various others (Ever Night and Fights Break Sphere, both of which are also amazing, and Rakshasa Street, which I gave up on), I eventually realized about 15 episodes in that this just blows everything else out of the water.

Chinese dramas are long. This one, at 52 episodes, each about 45 minutes, actually felt pretty short relative to some of the others I've now seen, partially or fully. Tribes and Empires (another one I can't recommend strongly enough) is 75 episodes, while Ever Night is 61. Some are as many as 90 or more, like the upcoming The Fated General (92 episodes reportedly). Some shows get kind of boring midway through, but not this one. It just got better and better.

I've noticed that fate is a recurring, yet unspoken, theme. Often the hero is somebody who, seemingly due to his strong and innate sense of moral justice, is given great opportunities "by the gods" if you will. Perhaps he just happens to fall into a cave and discover an ancient text the words of which offer a key to great power (Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils), or find a document in the stomach of a monkey (The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber). In this case, the hero, Guo Jing, captures the hearts of great martial arts masters for his innocent and true-hearted nature and learns what he can from each of them, aided by his companion and beloved, Huang Rong.

Those last two examples come from novels written by the same amazing mind behind Legend of the Condor Heroes: Jin Yong. It is from the extreme sense of curiosity and excitement and epic adventure I have found in this show that I've devoted myself to learning Chinese for the primary purpose of reading the source material. I know of no other way to convey to a complete China-novice just how great this show can be, if you come at it from the right perspective.

It is for good reason The Guardian and others have referred to Yong as The Tolkien of China, though the expression isn't very apt: His stories are just as sweeping, just as massive, and just as magical and adventurous as anything Tolkien ever dreamed of (and I say this as somebody who out of love for Tolkien studied Old Norse to better understand his own source material).

A Western viewer may find some of the attitudes a little bizarre. There is no nudity, sex, or profanity. Indeed, there isn't even kissing. There rarely is in Chinese television, as far as I've seen. Rather than the somewhat creepy portrayal of romance as stalking in American cinema, it is much more subtle and emotionally sharp and fulfilling. At least when the hero is concerned.

When it comes to the villains, things are a little different. They will hit an acupoint, for instance, and paralyze somebody (usually a woman and usually for sexual reasons), though it rarely reaches such a point before they are saved. One woman is apparently raped, given that she becomes pregnant, but even that is almost entirely left to the audience's imagination.

While women are often portrayed in the eyes of the villain as mere toys to be paralyzed and abused, it must be remembered that men (though much rarely) are also paralyzed like that. In addition, women still have a great deal of agency in Chinese dramas. Huang Rong is shown as being generally the most cunning person imaginable, though incredibly virtuous. Her martial prowess is also greater than some of the villains, though this seems to fluctuate at times. In quite a few dramas, you'll see the male hero hiding behind a more powerful female for protection, often against another female trying to hurt him.

In conclusion, this show itself and the overall experience of Chinese dramas has been extremely eye-opening and gratifying. Legend of the Condor Heroes is currently my favorite TV show ever, not just from China, and I look upon it with as much fond memory as I do The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. If as a Westerner you can try it out with an open mind, I think you will make a similar connection.

Legend of the Condor Heroes

[rumudeshmukh · 16 February 2020]

Very good series. Exciting and engaging. But seriously need great patience to tolerate the utter dumbness and clueless Guo Jing. Saving grace is his sense of honor and right

best of all condor heroes movies remake i ever watched

[suminnox · 10/10 · 11 September 2020]

Yes, i watched almost all condor heroes trilogy remake and i can say that this one is the best of them all. there are two things that i really like about this movie.

first is there is minimal exaggerated fight effect or so called chi. of course there are still some this inner energy burst, condor heroes movies believe that martial artists have inner energy they can burst out to attack enemies or defend themselves. but it is on the right portion, not too much and not too little.

second, there is no kissing scene. yes, in my opinion this represent ancient chinese culture. this also add some kind of romantic feels that i immediately lost on kissing scene.

The best version

[toanlai · 10/10 · 13 April 2020]

I have watched all version of the Legend of the Condor Heroes, but I liked this version the most. Huang Rong is pretty cute.

Li Yitong is the best Huang Rong to date!

[piscadewi · 10/10 · 8 April 2021]

Overall 10 Story 10 Acting/Cast 10 Music 10 Rewatch Value 10

To be honest, I watched this because Li Yitong was in it. As expected, she is indeed the picture perfect of Huang Rong! Beautiful, fun, smart, fierce and less annoying. She's adorably cute and has amazing smile!!! I have been watching many version of the Legend of the Condor Heroes before and after the year of 2000, I do enjoy watching this 2017 version of the Legend of the Condor Heroes the most. Perhaps this is the best one so far. Moreover, leading casts were both very good looking and had more natural acting; and the cinematography were also commendable. But why I sensed that this wasn't Li Yitong's real voice? Anyway, whoever voice was it, she's still beautiful and talented actress :-) I recommend to watch her other dramas such as Royal Nirvana and Royal Nirvana Special, and the upcoming Legend of Rosy Cloud, Hero Legend and Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Wang Quan 👍

A very good series with good fighting scenes

[kapoor-karn · 10/10 · 17 October 2020]

Legend of the Condor Heroes is one series that can never get old. This version proves that with good actors, good fighting choreographery and good background score, a modern series can genuinely compete with their 80s versions. Main leads are top notch, supporting casts are all very good, especially Old Beggar (guy gave me young jackie chan vibe) and Huang Yaoshi (kudos to Michael Miu for his charm). Special effects are used but havent been overdone like 2003 & 2008 version. Initial Mongolia storyline is made brief but based on viewer feedback that portion is the most boring part of the story, so cutting that portion would not invite a lot of complaints. Overall, a worthy series for your time. I would rate it one notch above 2008 version and at par with 1983 version.

Very bad

[CentralBank · 2/10 · 4 April 2018]

I'm not the type that always prefers the old to the new. I quite embrace new versions. However, this rendition of Condor Heroes was a waste of my life. No depth in conversations, very annoying acting. They cut out alot of lore and background, so I doubt this is a good watch for those new to the Condor Heroes franchise. The sad fact is that this drama focused completely on CGI and action scenes but skipped EVERYTHING else. There are however even faults with the action scenes! For a Martial Arts film, all it did for every episode was fist fights... All the types of martial arts, and focus on skills and training were thrown out of the window. Basically everyone more or less fought the same, taking away the fun of watching each style of martial art being represented. Nice sceneries and backgrounds were its only saving grace. If not this would have been 1/10.

Very bad adaptation

[julianto-50609 · 2/10 · 5 October 2020]

We love Jin Yong's LOCH novel since it is beautifully portrayed. However this adaptation change the storyline and the plot so much not following the original novel's. theteforr you should not use the title LOCH as er hope to see a Jin Yong's not a false adaptation.