Rape of the Sword 1967
Directed by
Griffin Yueh Feng
Made by
Shaw Brothers
Rape of the Sword Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Rape of the Sword (1967). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
The film opens with a tense competition between two students over the inheritance of their deceased master’s sword, the Green Frost Sword. Han, Tang Ti, ends the feud by fatally striking the rival and seizing the blade before returning it to the king.
Soon after, General Zhong Ki, [Tien Feng], visits the king with his daughter Zhong Jiaolong, [Li Ching], and her loyal servant Geng Liuniang, [Li Li-Hua]. The king decrees that Jiaolong must marry Prince Lu Tianxia, [Chen Hung-Lieh], forcing the general into a difficult arrangement. That night, Geng reveals her true identity as a formidable martial artist and launches a daring mission to lift the sword from the king’s hands. She frees Jiaolong from the prospective marriage and the two escape together, prompting a fierce pursuit by the prince and his henchmen. A brutal confrontation ensues in which Geng grievously wounds the prince, and the pair go into hiding. In their refuge, Jiaolong becomes Geng’s disciple, beginning her training in kung fu under Geng’s tutelage.
The king watches in shock as his son is wounded and the Green Frost Sword vanishes. Han, ever keen to root out the culprit, is dispatched to track down the suspect.
The next day, Geng leaves a note for Jiaolong and slips away, but Han swiftly locates her. The revelation follows: Geng is the widow of the student Han killed at the film’s outset. The two clash once more, with Han overpowering Geng and dealing heavy injuries while reclaiming the sword. Convinced she is dead, Han departs, while Jiaolong decides to continue the search for her teacher.
As Jiaolong roams, she encounters a capable bandit named Luo Yihu, [Kiu Chong]. A brief skirmish leads to a homeward journey where Luo learns who her teacher is. Luo turns out to be the disciple of Geng’s kung fu elder sister, forging a powerful bond among them. The trio—Jiaolong, Luo, and Geng’s allies—rally against the tyrannical king to reclaim the Green Frost Sword, aided by a rebellious nobleman, Master Liu, [Yang Chi-Ching], who joins their cause.
In a climactic battle, Han is killed, though Prince Lu Tianxia escapes into the shadows. Realizing the king’s hold is too strong to topple in one blow, the heroes retreat, vowing to regroup and hunt down the prince again. The enduring resolve of these unlikely allies leaves the door open for future confrontations as they press forward with hope and renewed determination.
Rape of the Sword Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Rape of the Sword (1967) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Opening duel over the Green Frost Sword
The film opens with two students arguing over the inheritance of the Green Frost Sword. They duel and Han kills the rival student and takes the sword. He then carries the weapon back to the king, establishing the threat and setting the stage for later events.
Royal summons and forced marriage plan
General Zhong Ki, his daughter Zhong Jiaolong, and her servant Geng Liuniang visit the king. The king uses the visit to force the general to arrange Jiaolong's marriage to Prince Lu Tianxia. At night, Geng reveals herself as a skilled martial artist and steals the Green Frost Sword, abducting Jiaolong to protect her from the arranged marriage.
Geng injures the prince; fugitives on the run; Jiaolong becomes disciple
The prince arrives with his henchmen and a major fight erupts. Geng wounds the prince seriously, while Jiaolong hides with her rescuer. Geng and Jiaolong go into hiding, where Jiaolong becomes Geng's disciple and begins to learn kung fu.
King learns sword is missing; Han tasked to find culprit
The king sees that his son is wounded and the Green Frost Sword is missing. Han, already familiar with the culprit, is ordered to track them down. The hunt begins as the kingdom tightens the search for the thief.
Geng's note, confrontation, and revelation of the widow
Geng leaves a note for Jiaolong and disappears, but Han eventually finds her. Geng is revealed to be the widow of the student Han killed earlier, reigniting old wounds. The two fight and Han overpowers Geng, heavily injuring her and reclaiming the sword; he assumes she is dead.
Jiaolong seeks out her teacher
Jiaolong resolves to find her teacher and begins a perilous search. She follows clues that lead her toward Geng and the evolving danger around the Green Frost Sword.
Jiaolong meets bandit Luo Yihu
On the road, Jiaolong meets a good-hearted bandit named Luo Yihu. They clash briefly before Jiaolong brings him home, where he learns the identity of her teacher. Luo is revealed to be the disciple of Geng's kung fu elder sister, linking the two swordsmen and setting up a common cause.
Alliance forms and the sword is reclaimed
The trio—Jiaolong, Luo, and Geng—rebel against the evil king and reclaim the Green Frost Sword. They also enlist Master Liu, a rebellious nobleman who joins their cause. Together they prepare for a final confrontation against the king's forces.
Final battle: Han is killed; prince escapes
In the climactic battle, Han fights alongside the others to defend their cause. Han is ultimately killed in the battle, while Prince Lu Tianxia escapes.
Retreat and vow to pursue the prince
Following the heavy losses, the heroes decide to retreat and regroup. They vow to continue chasing Prince Lu Tianxia in the future.
Rape of the Sword Characters
Explore all characters from Rape of the Sword (1967). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Han
An accomplished martial instructor who kills a rival student to seize the Green Frost Sword and presents it to the king. He pursues Geng after she steals the sword, engages her in a brutal duel, and heavily injures her to reclaim the weapon, assuming she is dead. His authority and combat prowess mark him as a relentless antagonist in the struggle for power.
General Zhong Ki
A high-ranking general loyal to the king who accompanies his daughter to the capital. He becomes entangled in the king’s political schemes, including the forced marriage of his daughter to the prince, highlighting the military and political pressure surrounding the royal court.
Zhong Jiaolong
Daughter of General Zhong Ki; she is initially pulled into an arranged marriage with the prince. She becomes a student of Geng, learning kung fu and joining the effort to oppose the king’s plans. Her courage evolves from compliance to rebellion as the story progresses.
Geng Liu Niang
A skilled martial artist and Jiaolong’s servant who steals the Green Frost Sword and later reveals herself as the widow of Han’s slain rival. She fights Han and is left grievously injured, with the outcome of their confrontation hanging on the edge of death.
Luo Yihu
A roguish bandit who crosses paths with Jiaolong and becomes an ally in the quest to reclaim the sword. He is revealed to be connected to Geng’s kung fu line through lineage and becomes part of the rebel coalition.
Master Liu
A rebellious nobleman who joins the effort against the king, providing strategic support and joining forces with Jiaolong, Geng, and Luo in their bid to take back the Green Frost Sword.
Prince Lu Tian Xia
The prince tied to the king’s political scheme, intended as a fiancé for Jiaolong. He engages in combat with the rebels, loses the confrontation, and escapes after being wounded during the upheaval.
King
The ruler who wields dynastic power, forging marriages and deploying his generals to secure control. His pursuit of sovereignty over the Green Frost Sword triggers the ensuing revolt and the alliance of disparate figures against his authority.
Rape of the Sword Settings
Learn where and when Rape of the Sword (1967) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Ancient China
Set in a distant martial-arts kingdom, the film evokes a wuxia world of emperors, generals, and skilled fighters. Political schemes revolve around dynastic power, arranged marriages, and the control of legendary weapons like the Green Frost Sword. The time period emphasizes honor, loyalty, and vendettas typical of classic swordplay tales.
Location
King's Court, Hidden Hideouts, Battlefields
The story unfolds across the royal court where the king exercises power and commands alliances, as well as secretive hideouts where rebels plan their moves. Conflicts erupt on outdoor battlegrounds and training arenas, reflecting a dynastic society built on martial prowess. The settings shift between opulent interiors and rugged exteriors, underscoring the clash between authority and rebellion.
Rape of the Sword Themes
Discover the main themes in Rape of the Sword (1967). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Revenge
Revenge drives much of the action, with Han seeking retribution for the death of his fellow student and Geng fighting to reclaim the sword and restore her honor. The pursuit of vengeance shapes alliances and enmities, pushing characters to engage in deadly duels. The sword itself becomes a vessel for grievance and payback.
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Power
Power is exercised through royal decree, coercive marriages, and martial force. The king wields authority to bend generals and nobles to his will, testing loyalty and sparking resistance. The struggle for control over the Green Frost Sword symbolizes the broader fight for political dominance.
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Alliance
Despite initial enmity, unlikely alliances form among Jiaolong, Geng, Luo Yihu, and Master Liu to challenge the king. Trust is earned through shared risk and strategic moves against a tyrannical ruler. The coalition underscores how common goals can unite disparate figures in a cause larger than individual vengeance.
Rape of the Sword Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Rape of the Sword (1967). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a realm where honor is forged in steel and legends whisper through bamboo groves, a revered blade known as the Green Sword—renowned as the sharpest weapon in the world—has become the focal point of a quiet, relentless quest. The kingdom’s courts glitter with ceremony, yet beneath the vaulted halls a lingering grief fuels a fire that refuses to be quenched. The story opens with the lingering echo of a great loss, setting a tone that balances the poetic solemnity of mourning with the fierce resolve of a warrior determined to restore what was taken.
Li Li‑Hua steps onto the screen as a seasoned swordswoman, her mastery of the blade matched only by the depth of her devotion to a husband whose memory is bound to the fabled Green Sword. Her character is both an anchor and a catalyst, embodying a blend of graceful composure and unyielding purpose. Her grief is not passive; it propels her into the shadows of the royal domain, where the sword rests under the weight of political intrigue and tradition. The atmosphere swirls with a muted tension, hinting at hidden corridors and unspoken alliances, while the ever‑present hum of distant martial practice underscores the world’s reverence for skill and discipline.
When the veteran’s pursuit meets unforeseen obstacles, Li Ching emerges as her devoted student, a figure whose loyalty shines brighter than the steel she seeks. Trained under the exacting guidance of her master, the younger warrior carries the promise of youthful vigor tempered by respect for the lessons of the past. Their dynamic crackles with a quiet intensity: the seasoned mentor’s measured patience contrasts with the disciple’s eager determination, creating a compelling dance of mentorship and shared destiny.
Together, they navigate a landscape where ancient customs and personal vendettas intertwine, their journey framed by sweeping vistas of mist‑clad mountains, bustling market streets, and the austere grandeur of palace courtyards. The film’s tone—a blend of lyrical melancholy and taut, kinetic energy—invites viewers to linger over each poised swordstroke and each whispered oath, promising a tale of steadfast resolve and the timeless bond between teacher and pupil.
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