Playing Ep 01

Summary:

Before hitting superstardom in music and film, Leslie Cheung starred in quite a few television dramas, one of his earliest being the 1978 drama The Spirit of the Sword from RTV (now ATV). Leslie Cheung had only entered the entertainment industry two years earlier through an RTV singing contest, and The Spirit of the Sword marked his first period drama and starring performance. Adapted from a Gu Long novel, the drama co-stars Candy Man, Chan Wai Man, Wong Shu Kei, Wong Wai, and Leslie Cheung's mentor Michael Lai Siu Tin. Cheung also sang the drama's theme song. The Spirit of the Sword begins with the ominous arrival of mysterious Japanese swordsman Bai Yi Ren (Chan Wai Man) who has traveled to the Middle Kingdom to challenge martial arts masters. Many great men fall under Bai Yi Ren's quick and ruthless sword, including master Bai San Kong (Chen Chen Hua). His grandson Bao Er is then brought to the Eastern Sea to seek help from Zi Yi Hou (Wong Wai), who barely triumphs over Bai Yi Ren. The duel, however, leaves Zi seriously injured and he passes away with Bai Yi Ren's vow to return in seven years ringing in his ears. The task of facing Bai Yi Ren in seven years' time thus falls onto the shoulders of 13-year-old Bao Er who determinedly studies martial arts. Five years later, Bao Er (Leslie Cheung) returns from the Eastern Sea, just in time for the start of the great contest to determine the top swordsman. Both the respected and the riff-raff of the martial arts world have gathered in one place for the duel to come.