The Young Vagabond A.K.A. The Youth of Beggar So • 少年蘇乞兒 (1985)

The Young Vagabond (1985), originally released as 少年蘇乞兒 (Xiao nian Su Qi Er) and also known as The Youth of Beggar So, is a Shaw Brothers martial arts comedy directed by Lau Shut-Yue. Starring Gordon Liu Chia-Hui as Beggar Su alongside Pai Piao, Wang Yue, Wang Lung-Wei, Ku Feng, and Kwan Hoi-San, the film presents a young version of the legendary Ching Dynasty martial artist Su Chan. Written by Wong Jing and produced by Mona Fong, The Young Vagabond combines comedy, training sequences, colorful characters, and traditional kung fu action. Available from ClassicKungFuMovies.com for collectors who value accurate film details and hard-to-find physical media.

STORY OVERVIEW

Su Chan, better known as Beggar Su, is the privileged son of a wealthy family who has little interest in behaving like the disciplined martial artist his father expects him to become. His carefree life changes when he becomes involved with people whose actions bring him into conflict with the ruthless thief known as Centipede. The young Su quickly discovers that natural ability alone will not be enough to survive against such a dangerous opponent.

With his family and friends drawn into the growing conflict, Su is forced to take his martial arts training seriously. He works to develop his skills while dealing with the comedy and complications that follow him along the way. His training eventually prepares him for a final confrontation with Centipede, where Beggar Su must put everything he has learned into practice.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

The Young Vagabond gives Gordon Liu plenty of opportunity to display his speed, precision, acrobatics, and comic timing. The film features extended training sequences, hand-to-hand combat, traditional kung fu techniques, and a series of increasingly demanding encounters leading to the final battle with Centipede. The action also reunites Gordon Liu, Wang Yue, and Wang Lung-Wei, performers who had previously appeared together in other notable Shaw Brothers martial arts productions.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors value The Young Vagabond for Gordon Liu's performance as the youthful Beggar Su and its connection to one of the best-known characters in Chinese martial arts folklore. The film also brings together a strong Shaw Brothers ensemble, including Pai Piao, Wang Yue, Wang Lung-Wei, Ku Feng, and Kwan Hoi-San. Its combination of comedy, character development, and traditional kung fu action gives it a different flavor from the darker Shaw Brothers productions of the 1970s.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in Hong Kong in 1985, The Young Vagabond was produced during the later period of Shaw Brothers' martial arts filmmaking. The film was directed by Lau Shut-Yue, written by Wong Jing, and produced by Mona Fong. Its story focuses on the early life of Beggar Su, one of the legendary Ten Tigers of Kwangtung, while its cast connects it to several important Shaw Brothers performers of the period. Celestial Pictures identifies the film as a Shaw Brothers title and lists its original audio as Cantonese.

• Verified AKAs:
  • The Young Vagabond – International English title
  • The Youth of Beggar So – Alternate English title
  • 少年蘇乞兒 – Original Traditional Chinese title
  • 少年苏乞儿 – Simplified Chinese title
  • 丐俠蘇乞兒 – Alternate Chinese title
  • Xiao nian Su Qi Er – Mandarin romanization
  • Xiao Nian Su Qi Er – Alternate romanization
  • El joven vagabundo – Spanish alternate title
• Director: Lau Shut-Yue (Sze-Yu Lau)
• Writer: Wong Jing
• Producer: Mona Fong
• Composer: Chen-Hou Su
• Cinematography: Wen-Yun Huang
• Editors: Shao-Hsi Chang, Shao Kuang Liu
• Studio: Shaw Brothers
• Country: Hong Kong
• Starring: Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Pai Piao, Wang Yue, Wang Lung-Wei, Kwan Hoi-San, Ku Feng, Kwan Fung, Isabella Wong, Leung Shan, Lam Fai-Wong, Hui Ying-Ying
• Genre: Martial Arts, Kung Fu, Action, Comedy
• Martial Arts Focus: Traditional Kung Fu, Training, Hand-to-Hand Combat
• Format: DVD
• Language: Cantonese
• Subtitles: English, Chinese
• Region: All Regions
• Running Time: 85 Minutes
• Release Date: January 2, 1985
• Release Year: 1985

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