General Kwan Guards the Huarong Path Lau Bei Crosses the River to Meet His Sisters-in-Law (Showing with ‘Drowning Seven Armies’)

Inspired by the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the story starts with Guan Yu (Leng Wah Hang) releasing Cao Cao (Lee Keng-ching) on Huarong Path. Sun Quan (Lau Hark-suen), in his attempt to take back Jingzhou, pretends to offer his sister Sun Shangxiang’s (Tang Bik-wan) hand in marriage to Liu Bei (Cheung Wood-yau) to lure him across the river. But when Shangxiang marries Liu for real, Sun’s masterplan backfires.

Leng Wah Hang, the highly acclaimed female wusheng actor, was the only woman in Cantonese opera to earn the title of ‘Female Lord Guan’. In this film, she joins forces with the ‘King of Somersaults’ Leung Siu-chung, as well as famed percussion musician Yung Cheung-yip, in a spectacular exhibition of traditional Cantonese opera martial arts and performance techniques. From Leung’s impressive moves in the opening scene to Leng Wah Hang’s virtuoso performance in the traditional style of the southern school of Cantonese opera, the film is filled with highlights and exciting moments. Noble and majestic, solemn and dignified, Leng Wah Hang gives a definitive performance as Lord Guan, especially in the intricate battle scenes where she wields the Green Dragon Crescent Blade masterfully in a perfect display of confidence and technique.

Showing with

‘Drowning Seven Armies’ from An Ideal Couple (2K Digitised Version)

In a story adapted from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu (Sun Chu) is ordered to take Fancheng, but he fails to defeat Cao Cao’s general Pang De (Lee Wan-loi). He later sends Shu general Guan Ping (Lo Kai-kwong) to find out where Pang’s troops are camped, and orders the Shu army to get ready to attack their camp. In the end, Guan Yu devises a plan to drown the Cao army, and succeeds in capturing Pang.

‘Drowning Seven Armies’ is one of Sun Chu’s best and most famous scenes in his repertoire, sealing his reputation as ‘Living Lord Guan’. His fame spread throughout China and abroad in the 1930s, and during his early years, Sun Chu had studied under Peking opera star San Mazi, known for his portrayals of Guan Yu. Sun Chu therefore developed a Peking opera-influenced performance style; notably he performed the role with his face painted red instead of white to follow Peking opera tradition. This was so well-received that Cantonese opera performers thereafter also adopted the red face.

Sun Chu was almost 70 years old when he performed in this film, but clearly still maintained the majesty, martial power and aura required of the role of Lord Guan. Aside from the power and nuance in Sun Chu’s interpretation, other performers also excel in their roles, from Lo Kai-kwong’s martial combat techniques to Yiu Cheung-kang’s standout performance during the naval battle scene.

Courtesy of Sil-Metropole Organisation Limited

Date	Time	Venue
31/8/2025 (Sun) #	3:00pm	Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

# Post-screening talk with Prof Yuen Siu-fai and Yuen Tsz-ying

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.

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