The Duel of the Century (1981): Cast & Plot
The Duel of the Century is a 1981 mystery action film directed by Chor Yuen, starring Sun Chien as Hua Manlou, Jason Pai Piao and Elliot Ngok Wah. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Chor Yuen
- Original language
-
Chinese - Studio
- Shaw Brothers
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Duel of the Century About?
The premise of The Duel of the Century without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A mystery‑tinged martial‑arts epic and one of director Chu Yuan’s final collaborations with novelist Ku Lung for Shaw Studios. Liu Yung and Sun Chien investigate the murder of a supposedly mortally wounded swordsman, uncovering deception, double‑dealings, imposters and relentless duels. Three top choreographers stage the film’s dynamic fight sequences.
The Duel of the Century Themes & Keywords
· 15 tags- blood
- death
- sword fight
- kung fu
- martial arts
- violence
- whodunit
- unarmed hero
- tibetan lama
- supremacy
- sabotage
- macguffin
+3 more Show fewer
- fencing match
- false identity
- plot twist
The Duel of the Century Cast & Characters
Sun Chien leads the cast as Hua Manlou, with Jason Pai Piao as Ye Gucheng and Elliot Ngok Wah as Shimen Chuei Shiue. Directed by Chor Yuen; 62 actors are credited in all.
- Director Chor Yuen
- Sun Chien as Hua Manlou
- Jason Pai Piao as Ye Gucheng
- Elliot Ngok Wah as Shimen Chuei Shiue
- Sek Gong as Fake Ye Gucheng
Also Starring in The Duel of the Century
· 58 more- Tony Liu Lu Xiaofeng
- Alan Chan Kwok-Kuen Monk Xing Tung
- Walter Tso Tat-Wah Monk Honest
- Shum Lo Hermit Pine
- Ching Miao Li Yianbei
- Ching Li Leng Chingchiou
- Ai Fei Kuo Chingfeng
- Tang Ching Chief Eunuch Wang An
- Lam Fai-Wong Gan Er Jiao
- Yang Hsiung Brother Pockmarks
- Gam Tin-Chue Duel's Spectator
- Wong Ching-Ho Feng's Servant
- Yang Chi-Ching Dao Tunghsin
- Fung Ging-Man Dealer at Casino
- Mama Hung Town Folk
- Wang Han-Chen Innkeeper
Show all 62 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ting Tung Duel's Spectator
- David Lam Wai Chief Lama
- Huang Pei-Chih Emperor's Guard in Red
- Yuen Wah
- Ku Kuan-Chung Yian Ranyin
- Lau Chun
- Cheung Hei
- Yuen Bun
- Fung Ming
- Lui Tat
- Kwan Fung Tang Tienyung
- Hung San-Nam
- Kong Chuen
- Ng Yuen-Fan
- Chan Siu-Kai
- Gam Biu
- Wong Chi-Ming
- Tam Bo
- Lee Hang
- Yeung Ching-Ching Emperor's Guard in Red
- Tang Wing-Siu
- Cheung Chi-Ping
- To Wai-Wo
- Yiu Man-Kei
- Helen Poon Bing-Seung Suen Saujin
- Lee Fat-Yuen
- Ko Hung
- Lung Tin-Sang
- Wang Yong Emperor
- Yeung Kim-Man
- Patrick Ling Chi-Hung
- Hsiao Yu
- Lau Siu-Kwan
- Choh Seung-Wan Lu's Girlfriend
- Cheung Ying Fake Wax Man Jiang
- Ho Chi-Wai
- Ho Hon-Chau
- Wan Yiu-Cho
- Eric Chan Ga-Kei
- Cheung Bing-Chan
- Lee Ging-Fan
- Lee Kin-Chung
More from Chor Yuen
More films directed by Chor Yuen: Blood Stained Tradewind, Sleazy Dizzy, The Diary of a Big Man and Last Song in Paris.
The Duel of the Century Plot Summary
What happens in The Duel of the Century from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Renowned swordsman Jason Pai Piao as Ye Gucheng suddenly challenges his compatriot Elliot Ngok Wah as Ximen Chuixue to a duel to the death on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Yet, for reasons unknown, Ximen postpones the confrontation, and the delay spawns rumors that he may not be able to best Ye. This unusual standoff becomes the focal point of a widening puzzle, drawing in Lu Xiaofeng, a clever and fearless swordsman who gathers his inner circle: Tony Liu as Lu Xiaofeng, Sun Chien as Hua Manlou, Walter Tso as Monk Honest, Lung Ting-sang as Sikong Zhaixing, and Shum Lo as Hermit Pine. Together they seek the hidden motive behind the postponed duel, tracing threads that lead far beyond a single match.
Full summary
The whole story of The Duel of the Century, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Duel of the Century?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which two swordsmen are originally scheduled to duel on the eve of the Mid‑Autumn Festival?
The Duel of the Century Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Liu Xiao Feng zhi jue zhan qian hou” and “陆小凤之决战前后”.
- Also known as
-
- Liu Xiao Feng zhi jue zhan qian hou
- 陆小凤之决战前后
- 육소봉전기 - 결전전후
- ศึกชิงเจ้าศตวรรษ
Seen The Duel of the Century?
Movies Like The Duel of the Century
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Duel to the Death, Duel for Gold and The Duel.
The Duel of the Century FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Duel of the Century, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Duel of the Century?
The Duel of the Century runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was The Duel of the Century released?
The Duel of the Century was released on October 22, 1981.
Who directed The Duel of the Century?
The Duel of the Century was directed by Chor Yuen.
More films by Chor Yuen Who is in the cast of The Duel of the Century?
The Duel of the Century stars Sun Chien as Hua Manlou, Jason Pai Piao as Ye Gucheng and Elliot Ngok Wah as Shimen Chuei Shiue, among 62 credited actors.
Does The Duel of the Century have a post-credit scene?
No. The Duel of the Century has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Duel of the Century in?
The original language of The Duel of the Century is Chinese.
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