The Deadly Breaking Sword • 風流斷劍小小刀 • Feng Liu Duan Jian Xiao Xiao Dao (1979)

The Deadly Breaking Sword (1979), also released as Breaking Deadly Sword and Feng Liu Duan Jian Xiao Xiao Dao (風流斷劍小小刀 / 风流断剑小小刀), is a Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Sun Chung for Shaw Brothers Studio. Written by Ni Kuang, the film stars Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Lily Li, Shih Szu, Ku Feng, and Michael Chan Wai-man. The film combines swordplay, mystery, comedy, and martial arts action in a memorable late-1970s Shaw Brothers production.

STORY OVERVIEW

Warrior Tuan Changqing meets a beautiful courtesan who asks him to kill Doctor Guo, a respected physician secretly believed to be a powerful crime lord. Convinced that he is helping her avenge her brother, Tuan accepts the dangerous assignment.

Along the way, he joins forces with Xiao Dao, a quick-witted gambler and skilled fighter. Their investigation soon uncovers deception, hidden motives, and dangerous enemies, forcing the two unlikely allies into a series of increasingly deadly confrontations.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

The Deadly Breaking Sword features stylish Shaw Brothers swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, and inventive fight choreography by Tang Chia. Ti Lung brings controlled swordsmanship to the role of Tuan Changqing, while Alexander Fu Sheng adds speed and energy as Xiao Dao.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors remember The Deadly Breaking Sword for the pairing of Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng, its unusual mixture of mystery and comedy, and its polished Shaw Brothers swordplay. The film remains a strong example of the studio's late-1970s wuxia productions.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1979, The Deadly Breaking Sword was part of Shaw Brothers Studio's continuing run of wuxia and martial arts films during the late 1970s. Directed by Sun Chung and written by Ni Kuang, it remains recognized for its distinctive combination of swordplay, action, and humor.

• Verified A.K.A.s:
  • The Deadly Breaking Sword – English release title
  • Breaking Deadly Sword – Alternate English title
  • Feng Liu Duan Jian Xiao Xiao Dao – Mandarin Pinyin
  • Fung Lau Dyun Gim Siu Siu Dou – Cantonese romanization
  • 風流斷劍小小刀 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 风流断剑小小刀 – Simplified Chinese title
  • A Espada da Vingança – Portuguese release title
  • A Espada Mortal Quebrada – Brazilian release title
• Director: Sun Chung
• Writer: Ni Kuang
• Producer: Run Run Shaw
• Action Director: Tang Chia
• Studio: Shaw Brothers Studio
• Starring: Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Lily Li, Shih Szu, Ku Feng, Michael Chan Wai-man
• Format: DVD
• Language: Mandarin, English
• Subtitles: English
• Running Time: 101 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong
• Release Year: 1979

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.