LayarHijau.com—This month, two films based on Jin Yong's Condor trilogy will be released. The first is Legend of the Condor Heroes: Great Hero, starring Xiao Zhan and Zhuang Dafei, which is adapted from the first novel in the trilogy featuring the main characters Guo Jing and Huang Rong.
The film Condor Hero is based on the second novel in the trilogy, focusing on the characters Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu. Directed by Lin Zhenzhao, the film features newcomers Zhao Hua Wei and Wang Zi Chun. Condor Hero is set to be released on January 22, 2025.
The production team conducted extensive research to accurately recreate the atmosphere of the world crafted by Jin Yong. They created concept maps depicting various iconic locations, such as Zhongnan Mountain and Lingguan Temple, to provide an authentic visual experience. The art team worked diligently to ensure every detail reflects the rich elements of Chinese culture.
The second novel in the Condor trilogy, originally titled Divine Eagle and Gallant Knight but often referred to as The Return of the Condor Heroes, is a work by Jin Yong (Louis Cha) that first appeared in newspapers in 1959. The novel follows the adventures of Yang Guo, a young man caught in the conflicts of the martial arts world and his complex relationship with his teacher, Xiao Longnu.
The novel highlights themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for identity. The evolving relationship between Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu, transitioning from a teacher-student bond to eternal love, forms the emotional and spiritual core of the story.
Jin Yong created a range of rich and complex characters, such as Li Mochou and Jinlun Fawang, adding depth to the narrative. Each character has unique backgrounds and motivations, creating interesting dynamics within the plot.
Jin Yong is renowned for his ability to portray profound characters. In Divine Eagle and Gallant Knight, he pays special attention to the main characters, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu.
Yang Guo is depicted as an emotional, wild, and rebellious figure. Jin Yong illustrates the duality in this character, reflecting the internal conflicts that individuals often face. Despite his mischievous behavior, Yang Guo possesses a good heart and loyalty to those he loves.
On the other hand, Xiao Longnu is a mysterious and idealistic character. She is portrayed as pure but also vulnerable. Their relationship, which begins as a teacher-student bond, evolves into a lasting love, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and true affection.
Supporting characters in this novel also play significant roles, highlighting themes of rivalry and conflict in the martial arts world. Jin Yong successfully creates these characters with deep backgrounds, adding dimension to the overall story.
Synopsis of Condor Hero (2025)
Yang Guo has been wandering the world since childhood. After being taken in by the great hero Guo Jing, he becomes a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect. However, he experiences bullying within the sect due to his mysterious background. Unable to bear the torment, he accidentally switches teachers to Xiao Longnu, the heir of the Ancient Tomb Sect, and learns martial arts. Soon after, the foreign martial artist from Mongolia, Jinlun Fawang, along with his followers, comes south and teams up with the abandoned disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect, Li Mochou, to seize the martial arts secrets and weapons map hidden in the tomb.
Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu, unintentionally caught up in the disputes of the martial arts world, experience life and death together several times. The relationship between the teacher and student slowly develops into a bittersweet love. During this time, Yang Guo loses an arm and falls off a cliff, where he meets the "good teacher and helpful friend," the Divine Eagle.