Original subtitles

The Field of the Great Hold.

I don't know what it is.

The only thing I remember is that daddy was taking me to many places

very far from each other.

But he never told me why.

I remember hearing many dialects.

I learned a few of them.

But I don't remember where they come from.

Daddy was telling me

many trade stories.

Everything was a matter of commerce

to him.

If we want something,

we have to buy it... and pay it.

But to sell something, we sometimes have to pay too.

I wouldn't be able to define terms like "purchase",

"sale" and "payment".

Daddy used to say:

Justice?

There are many quarrels over right and wrong.

It's hard to define.

When we notice an injustice, we have to do something.

But we can't predict anything.

The one being unfair might be you.

Then it's pointless to have any remorse.

No one will feel pity for you.

For the moment I'm not concerned with all this.

I never knew what daddy was doing.

Until the day

when I saw pretty lights at my window.

They were blinking.

Just like in a fun fair.

It was wonderful.

Later, I learned where those lights were coming from.

My imaginary world fell apart.

That's when I started to spy

on daddy's activities.

There's also the curved sword, it's 75 cm long.

It's made of three thin steel layers.

It's three times lighter than an ordinary sword.

I also have my own Field of the Great Hold.

It involves two men.

There's Iron Skull who's been working for us for 4 years.

The day he arrived,

his glance remained etched on my memory.

The other is Ding On, an orphan that daddy took in.

I'm responsible for the scar on his face.

I was five years old, he was seven.

He didn't say a word when I hurt him.

I will owe him forever.

My debt is on his face.

Puss!

Puss!

Directed by Tsui Hark

THE BLADE

I always had a nasty thought on my mind.

I want to start a fight

between those two men.

And the winner will belong to me.

I already decided of the place and time.

The fight of my dreams will start soon.

Come to the kitchen to drink some soup.

Come to the kitchen to drink some soup.

The fight I've always dreamt about will start.

A plate for two strong men. How to share it?

But this fight isn't theirs.

It's between me and two men.

How to share a bowl of soup?

It will get cold if they don't come. Eat it yourself.

Where did Ding On and Iron Skull go?

Where are they?

This soup was the first problem between me and them.

I didn't know I would pay for it later.

This copper tin is magnificent.

It's beautiful.

- What is it? - It comes from the West.

It's a kind of savior. It saved a lot of people.

A kind of God?

Who did it save?

It's an amulet.

How much?

Do you have some money? I haven't been paid.

I saved some.

Let's kill this pig!

Look at him. He's chatting up.

Pay him later.

Help him find a girl. Hurry up.

Let go of me!

You wanted to fight, didn't you? Run!

Are you sure of the price?

It's expensive. Did you count it well?

Four times three, twelve. And a carafe of wine,

it makes 16.

Just for that? Too expensive.

Boss!

There's a problem with the bill.

Is someone refusing to pay?

Grab the knives.

Five knives to skin the ox.

Damn monk!

Never try the impossible.

Do you fix wheels? I have a problem with mine.

- The money is on the table. - Thank you.

Count it safely.

The monk fought again against several people.

But this time it's over for him. He's no match.

Let's run! Let's run!

Master! Master!

Iron Skull!

Let's run.

- Iron Skull. - Where are the hunters? Speak!

- Are you crazy? Stop! - But that's him.

Let them come if they dare!

You're no better than they are if you act like that.

Are you afraid to show yourselves?

- Are you crazy? - I must avenge this monk!

Avenge him?

We still have goods to deliver.

Iron Skull!

Where are those hunters?

We're working at the swords factory.

Our brothers will fight against you.

Come tonight if you dare.

Meet at the wood warehouse.

Our brothers from the factory will fight against you.

If you don't come we'll kill you one by one.

Meet tonight at the warehouse. Don't forget.

We're making swords.

What they're doing with them is none of our business.

The factory must remain neutral in these quarrels.

Iron Skull and Ding On have changed.

They don't talk to me anymore.

Iron Skull keeps staring at this ball.

And Ding On is looking up.

They weren't like that before.

The fight of my dreams will start soon.

Will I be the stake?

It doesn't matter

as long as the winner

belongs to me.

I hate those hunters! Let's kill them!

They'll never stop if we let them unpunished.

What's going on?

No deliveries today?

What are those swords for? Is it war?

Some hunters are terrorizing people. Everybody is afraid.

So what? Do you plan to kill them all?

- To make them run away. - To make them run away?

Are you here to make swords or to fight?

Do you know how to fight?

Why are you watching Ding On?

Harder!

- Harder! - Well done.

- Harder! - Well done!

Speak! Speak!

Harder!

I'll fight if you won't.

Do you persist in your choice?

Master, they want to help people.

Do you want to fight too?

Kneel!

It was a monk.

Why didn't anyone interced?

Boss, you're a buddhist.

Does Buddha promote violence?

I want to keep up my reputation.

I won't let anyone slander me.

Go up to take the sign off!

- Have you heard? - This monk was killed.

Silence!

Quiet. It's none of your business.

Say something!

Two days later,

it was the annual celebration of the sword.

I never imagined things would change.

This day, I entered

this field of the Great Hold they had talked about.

It's a bloody ceremony.

Keep quiet. You'll throw flowers soon.

You'll catch butterflies.

And you'll buy a nice vase to put them in.

I'm not a child anymore. I grew up!

I decided

that if I could, I'd kill them all.

But I wasn't able to do it.

Our annual celebration of the sword is today.

This broken sword will bring us 20 years of peace.

Its history

encourages us to be good.

I'm getting old. Making swords is for young people.

I've decided to promote one of you as my successor.

It will be Ding On.

He's with me since the beginning.

That's why he will succeed me.

Master!

Master, I don't know how to run a company.

If you can't do it, who will?

I want to pass it on to you.

My decision is made.

His orders will be mine.

You will do as he says.

Any suggestions?

Put this on.

Don't say anything if you want to follow us.

We have no future here.

Unless we do like Ding On.

Fake loyalty towards the master.

It did him good.

I don't want to stay here any longer. They can fire me.

I won't accept this traitor as a master.

How will he run the company?

All he can do is breaking swords.

And there's Siu Ling. One of us has to seduce her.

He wants to be her husband!

Let's go first.

Why are you quarrelling?

Why don't you want to wear an armor?

The master will punish us. And I can't bear that thought.

What kind of attitude is it?

Put on the armor or I'll break your jaw!

Succeeding the master, with all those workers.

They're gonna hate him.

If the old master had thought about it he wouldn't have acted like that.

Ding On's father died so miserably.

Even if he thinks he's indebted to him,

it's gonna kill him.

Daddy is indebted to him?

His father died miserably?

What happened?

He was hung and skinned alive.

It was horrible!

The old master never said anything. I'm not supposed to talk about it.

Amah Mah, what's happening to you? It's nothing.

I saw a black shadow. I knew it was Ding On.

And I could see his face.

Since that night,

the nightmare everybody had forgotten

suddenly reappeared.

I was trying to escape his piercing glance.

I had never seen him like that.

Don't ask me questions! I don't know anything!

- What was my father's name? - I don't know.

Tell me!

Daddy told me a long time ago but I forgot.

My last name isn't Man.

What was your father's name?

I believe it was Lai.

Daddy told me: "Fast Sword in the River of the Noon."

"His sword weights more than 50 kg."

Did he die miserably?

Daddy didn't tell you anything so you won't try to take revenge.

How did he die?

He was killed by a powerful man.

A terrifying man able to fly.

His body is covered with tatoos.

A long time ago when daddy lived far away from here,

he met some pillagers.

He managed to escape with his people.

But your familly was slaughtered.

Your father put you on his back when he fought the bandits.

This broken sword belonged to your father.

Master, my father's murderer is here!

Fei?

You're too slow! Faster!

Brother Fung!

Tell me.

It's Fei Lung. He can fly.

His body is covered with tatoos.

Identify yourself!

Master. Tell me.

Was my father named Lai?

Who told you that?

Who killed him? What's his name?

I won't tell you. I promised your father.

I won't tell you as long as I'll live.

Very well, don't tell me. That's your right.

But how was my father?

Did he deserve to die?

Take my son!

- Did he deserve to die? - No.

Was he a good man?

Yes.

Master, you took care of me.

I'm grateful for that.

Here's an amulet from the West.

It will bring you peace.

Keep it.

Faster!

I'm coming!

The standard bearer must run in the front!

Ding On!

Ding On!

Ding On!

Ding On, where are you?

A bird was caught in a trap.

Ding On!

Siu Ling!

And here's a pig!

Did you kidnap a girl?

Siu Ling!

Siu Ling!

Siu Ling!

Siu Ling!

It's gonna be alright.

We'll go back home.

Ding On! Let's run quickly!

Siu Ling!

Let me grab your shoulder!

Give me my father's sword back!

- This way! - Give it back to me!

This way!

Give it back to me!

Give it back to me!

Give it back to me!

Give it back to me!

Give it back to me!

Here!

Ding On fell in it?

- Go down to check. - It's deep.

Iron Skull!

I'm here!

Ding On was here!

Don't worry about me! Save Ding On.

Don't worry about me! Save Ding On!

- Dow! - Don't worry about me!

Do you hear? Save Ding On!

The mountain is wooded.

We wanted to find Ding On before dawn.

Two days later we still hadn't found his body.

Some said he had been eaten by wolves.

And others said he was still alive.

Whatever had happened to him, his arm

was put near the memorial dedicated to my father.

Ding On, are you back?

Ding On!

I thought he was back.

They told me it was his spirit.

Let's pray! Let's pray together!

Let's pray! Let's pray together!

Ding On...

You've had a serene and quiet life.

But the factory

will never be peaceful again.

My arm!

My arm!

My arm!

My arm!

My arm!

My arm!

Daddy, now that I lost my arm,

I can't avenge you anymore.

Bless me. I'll build my house here.

I'm sorry.

This sword, take it back.

Hey one-armed boy, we're calling you. Here!

You have to work.

This food is revolting.

Here.

Clear the table. Don't you have anything to do?

Master Fei Lung.

Fei Lung...

Is he the one claiming he can fly?

Who are you to touch me like that?

It was a stupid pig. It was trampling on everything.

Even with the head severed, it kept on trampling.

Why are you doing this? It's a disgrace.

You can't earn your life.

Life is full of dangers.

Everybody's working hard to survive.

You need luck to succeed.

And you need to jump at opportunities.

Only the fast survive. What about the slow?

They have nothing to eat.

There's no point in working hard.

Where are you going one-armed? The boss is calling you.

Get to work! Did you want to hit me?

Did you?

We have to cut his head off.

Siu Ling, get up!

Get up!

On your feet! Get up!

Is this how you're waiting for Ding On's return?

You look like a ghost.

Go outside with the others.

You say he's alive. We're going to look for him.

We'll wait if we can't find him.

Look in what sorry state you are!

Get dressed! We'll look for Ding On.

You're as stubborn as a mule, eat a papaya.

A pig almost stole it.

Why this old knife?

I use it everyday.

I wanted to use your sword.

But you didn't want to and you buried it.

I would like to have some money to buy a sword.

You're weird.

Did you get paid?

Those are knives from the swords factory.

- From the swords factory? - Yes, they're good quality stuff.

Do they really come from the factory?

There's an awl. They're good knives.

Which factory?

There's only one. It's the most famous.

Don't you know it?

That's enough.

Only fools don't buy knives.

They're sharp and strong.

They're made of the best steel.

And they're stainless. We can even kill with them.

Many things changed

since my childhood.

Here's the Field of the Great Hold

they used to mention.

Suddenly, I understood.

The fight between Iron Skull and Ding On

won't take place where I wanted to.

This woman is scaring me.

I don't know her, but her stare

seems to mean that she knows me well.

Here's the Field of the Great Hold.

I don't understand anymore.

I didn't think I would find happy people there.

Yet, they seem to be.

But are they really happy?

Maybe they know how to be happy.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Go away! Go away!

Take this sword, maybe you'll need it someday.

You can rest peacefully.

I'll watch the entrance.

Eat something when you'll wake up.

We still have a long way to go tomorrow.

Everybody got a sword. It was my turn.

That's when I started hating everybody.

I hated Iron Skull. I hated Ding On.

And I hated myself.

I was nothing.

I got lost.

Just like them.

I could feel they were playing a game.

A brutal game.

Where have you been?

How dare you throw wine at my face! Don't ever do it again!

Lick me up to the last drop!

You're new here.

It's the first time you're coming here.

Yes.

May I offer you a drink?

No thanks, I'm in a hurry.

Are you refusing my invitation? You're insulting me.

I told you you're insulting me!

You can drink it alone.

My turn.

Let's go!

What did you do?

What did you do to make them follow us?

Stay here. I'll look for another place.

Keep quiet or I'll leave you here!

Here's the famous bounty hunter.

You see?

This man on his knees

wanted to prevent us from getting rich.

Give us everything you have.

Otherwise...

Do you sew?

Let's find something to eat.

Where's the remaining rice?

Ding On!

I found a book.

Read it to me please.

Tell me if it talks about my family.

You, you know how to read.

- Do I look like my parents? - It's a fencing manual.

- Read it. - It's a kung fu book.

There's nothing about you.

It was in my house.

It must mention me somewhere.

Keep looking.

Give it to me, I'll read it myself.

Your parents called you Ding On. Me, I've got nothing.

I'm not called Ding On.

I don't know my parents either.

Give it back!

Even pigs have a name. Ah One and Ah Two.

Why not me? I want to know where I come from.

This fencing book can be useful. I'll keep it.

You're the only one who calls me Blacky.

How much?

It's very expensive.

It's very popular. Prices are increasing.

At least 200 taels. Do you have some money?

Not enough, but if I give you these medicinal herbs...

No money? Get lost, one-armed!

Don't provoke me!

You only have one arm. Why do you want a sword?

To steal?

Move! What are you looking at? Don't disturb my business.

We owe this sword over 20 years of peace.

That's why we must be grateful

to his owner for what we have.

Where's the other half?

Why this crap?

What good is a sword to you? To turn over the ground?

We'll have to hide when they'll be back.

Otherwise it will never end.

You pity the mouse caught by the cat.

But if a man crushes an ant, do you kill him?

Why are you doing this? You can't change anything.

They will kill you. You're no match for them.

You'll die. You can't defeat them.

Iron Skull, what are you doing?

She doesn't know I saved her. She was scared.

So why did you tie her up?

- Untie her. - No.

Untie her!

Forget it. She is wanted.

I brought her here to protect her.

She'll be safe here.

She isn't used to it.

She's safe here.

Clean her. She is spattered with blood.

The sword! Where's the sword?

Is it the reason you saved her?

It's alright. You know, all men are the same.

And he will treat you like the others.

No, I'm not like that!

Then why are you doing this?

Because I love her.

You love her?

You love her?

All men say that.

Let's both leave together.

I can't. I have to find someone.

Who are you looking for?

Even if you find him he'll treat you the same way.

No.

Ding On will never treat me like that.

I want to find him!

Leave me alone! I'll find him on my own!

I don't need you! Go away!

I'm leaving, alone.

I'll find Ding On for you.

The most important thing in life is to know who we love.

But sometimes others choose for you.

Blacky, hide quickly!

Leave him to me!

Damn one-armed!

I'll beat him to death.

Master, look at me.

Isn't he afraid to die?

This way! Don't go! I want to kill you.

He's possessed. We'll kill his whole family.

Burn his house!

Burn his house!

Burn it! Burn the evil!

How did you dare burn my house?

How do you dare steal my goods?

I'm going to kill you!

Fei Lung? Is it true?

Can you fly?

You talk too much. How many pigs to kill?

There's a sword factory on the west side of the city.

A good fighter lives there in isolation.

They're as many as we are. Let's kill them.

A good fighter? In isolation?

You won't do it on your own.

There will be a price to pay.

I've always been unfair. My brothers need money.

Those two boxes won't be enough.

So what?

Do you want to see who's the fastest?

I've heard there's a one-armed.

A one-armed pig?

I can't afford to hire you.

No need to gamble to earn a living.

Go to another table if you don't like it.

What are you looking at?

Fei Lung, I'll work with you.

But I'll kill you if I have the opportunity!

The mountain hero has a sharp blade.

He kills all bandits.

He only has one arm, but he's a master.

He's incredible.

The mountain hero has a sharp blade

He kills all bandits.

He only has one arm, but he's a master.

Leave at once!

That's where I was born.

What kind of hotel is it? I can't see anything.

At least it's free.

It's dark and we have to sleep with the pig.

You're so fat, Mr. Pig.

You're lucky to live another day.

Your time is coming soon.

Light! I stole a candle.

Light!

- What are you doing? - I'm thinking.

Did you fall in love?

Good and evil, it's the same.

When the man is far you miss him.

You become attached to something that reminds you of him.

A good man often becomes evil and an evil man becomes good.

Isn't it true? There's no difference.

I don't know if I'll become like you.

Do you love the one you're looking for?

I used to love him.

But now I don't know if I love him or if I hate him.

I put it here. Where is it?

Where did it go? I put it here.

Nothing!

I can't see anything, it's too dark.

I'll steal another candle.

You can't trust a man.

How did you free yourself?

You can't trust a woman either.

Wait for me.

What the hell is this racket?

Run away!

Hurry!

Don't go!

The sword!

- A woman? - Who is she?

It's not a bandit.

Why did you want to kill us?

And you?

I remember you. You're not a bandit.

What are you doing here?

There's a girl up there. Save her.

- Come, have a look. - Blacky!

What are you doing? Step back, quickly!

Are you one-armed?

Is that you, Ding On?

- Is that you, Ding On? - Silence! Shut up!

Ding On!

You're Ding On, aren't you? I know you're Ding On.

Ding On! I know you're Ding On.

Wait for me! I know you're Ding On!

Who is she?

Why did you knock her out?

Siu Ling!

Hold her.

Blacky, go back there!

Take this.

You saved them. Why are you afraid of them?

You're here. I was looking for you.

- Master. - Ding On!

- I'm here! - Ding On is alive, I saw him!

Ding On!

They're waiting for you.

Don't you want to see them?

God punishes evil doers.

That's why God is armed.

A blade. And He's using it.

In peacetime everything was fine.

But now bandits are in the city.

The workers at the factory will end breaking the rules.

Boss, open the door!

Open the door!

- Who's there? - Boss, open the door!

It's Uncle Wah.

There are bandits in the city.

We've got nowhere to go.

Please, open!

Dow!

Check if they're carrying weapons.

Open the door!

What's going on Uncle Wah? Why is he so pale?

Our boss has been wounded by the bandits.

Yes, it's very serious.

Don't move!

These people are strangers.

No weapons. Open the door!

Open!

Wait! Don't open yet.

It's ok, they don't carry weapons.

- Let's help them. - Yes, let's help them.

We outnumber them anyway.

It will be fine. Don't worry.

Open the door!

Open the door.

- Keep an eye on them, I'll have a look. - Yes master.

Open the door!

Where are you going Uncle Wah?

It's the bandits!

Close the door! Hurry!

- Let Siu Ling go out by the backdoor. - Good!

The master asked me to take you.

Hurry up. It's dangerous outside.

Iron Skull! Go watch the door!

Fei Lung!

I already killed so many dirty pigs.

I can't imagine a warrior is hiding here.

I know why Skeleton is scared.

Don't worry. They're the losers!

Shall we kill him? Easy.

Do you want to stay or go back to have your injuries tended?

Don't talk so much. Kill him.

I kill pigs for money. And today,

you're the pig!

Come back! Iron Skull!

He's too strong. Be careful.

I'd rather die fighting.

It's none of your business. Shut up!

I'm the only one responsible here.

- Let them go. - Ok, I'll let them go.

Cut your right arm off first. We'll talk after that.

I didn't pay you to cut off his arm,

but to kill them all!

Go ahead! Why do you hesitate?

Cut it off! Are you scared?

Master, no!

Master!

Iron Skull!

Faster!

You're too slow! Faster!

Faster! Use your sword!

Kill him, Fei Tien!

Master, the sword!

Move away!

- Siu Ling? - Daddy, are you alright?

Why did you come back?

Amah Mah and Thirty Three are in a safe place.

What are you doing here?

Who is it?

Ding On.

Let's go!

Is it you Fei Lung? Is it you

who killed my father?

Ding On, forget the past.

Run away!

My generation doesn't have any choice.

I don't want to wander like a ghost.

My father's name was Lai. What was his nickname?

"Fast Sword in the River of the Noon."

You're a Lai.

So the man I killed and disembowelled was your father.

I can tell you his first name.

He was called Lai But Fiu.

Good. Now I will avenge my father.

Ding On! Don't do it!

Be quick!

I suddenly get what the stake of the Field of the Great Hold is.

Those who lost a battle

come back one day to claim what's been taken from them.

Our generation wants to take revenge.

Maybe the next one won't.

If I'm the only one to survive this massacre,

I'll try to take revenge too.

Fucking one-armed! You won't always be so lucky.

Today is a bad day for you.

Would you happen to be too slow

to defeat me?

I'll get you all, you dirty pigs!

Daddy!

Ding On and Iron Skull were finally back.

Now I knew why daddy used fake names

and why we always had to move from places to places.

This little game started a very long time ago.

From generation to generation, immutably,

without interruption.

Ding On and Iron Skull

left.

Why did they come?

Why did they leave?

Why were we existing?

I didn't go to look for them.

They promised me they would come back to see me.

Ding On!

Is it really you?

Each year, it was the same ritual.

Their smiling faces were so exceptional, so beautiful.

They never stayed for a long time.

But it didn't matter. I'll keep waiting for them.

Watching for their return,

with the hope they'll stay longer.

The Field of the Great Hold?

I still don't get it.

But I don't care.

I'll keep waiting for the one I love the most.

THE END