Dirty Ho

Dirty Ho

Year: 1979

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Lau Kar-Leung

ActionComedy

A prince enlists a thief to serve as his bodyguard to protect him from assassins.

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Timeline & Setting – Dirty Ho (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dirty Ho (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late Qing Dynasty

The era is defined by palace intrigue and dynastic power struggles, with princes vying for influence and assassins lurking in the shadows. It blends opulent court life with street-level crime, providing a backdrop for wuxia-style martial arts and strategic deception. The setting frames the characters' tests of loyalty, disguise, and combat prowess.

Location

Manchuria, Beijing (Peking)

Set during the late Qing Dynasty, the story unfolds across Manchuria and the imperial capital. The prince moves through high society as a refined jeweller while palace intrigue and underworld networks swirl around him. Key locations include palaces, brothels, antique shops, and abandoned residences, leading to a climactic throne-room sequence in Beijing.

🗺️ Historical setting 🏯 Imperial city

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

Main Characters – Dirty Ho (1979)

Meet the key characters of Dirty Ho (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

11th Prince, Wang Chin Chen (Gordon Liu Chia-Hui)

A prince in disguise who despises the burden of ruling yet uses his refined exterior and martial mastery to navigate danger. He prefers art and elegance over court politics, but remains vigilant against threats to his life. He leverages calculated deception to uncover would-be assassins and protect Ho Ching, revealing a loyal, cunning protector beneath the surface.

🗡️ Martial arts 🧭 Disguise 🧠 Cunning

Ho Ching (Dirty Ho)

A notorious jewel thief with brash bravado who gradually reveals a surprisingly loyal heart. His rivalry with Wang gives way to a mentor-mentee dynamic as Wang teaches him controlled combat and restraint. His evolution from reckless outlaw to capable ally drives much of the film's humor and heart.

🗝️ Thief 🤝 Partner 🎭 Comedic

Tsui Hung (Choi Hung)

A courtesan who becomes an unexpected ally to Wang and Ho. She uses wit and stealth to misdirect foes and support their fight. Her presence provides emotional balance to the duo's perilous journey and aids in critical confrontations.

🎭 Courtesan 🛡️ Bodyguard 🧭 Strategic

General Liang Jing Cheng

The formidable antagonist who commands troops and orchestrates assassination attempts against the 11th Prince. He embodies ruthless strategy behind the throne-room schemes and the climactic battles. His presence raises the stakes and fuels the film's dramatic confrontations.

⚔️ Military leader 🗡️ Villain 🧠 Strategist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

Major Themes – Dirty Ho (1979)

Explore the central themes of Dirty Ho (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪪 Identity

The film centers on a prince in disguise who hides his royal status behind a cultured persona as a jeweller. He keeps his martial prowess concealed, using wit and restraint rather than spectacle to navigate danger. Identity becomes both a weapon and a shield in a web of assassination plots and political games.

🤝 Mentorship

A reluctant master-disciple bond forms between Wang and Ho Ching. Wang trains Ho in controlled martial arts and strategic thinking, turning a reckless thief into a capable ally. Their dynamic blends humor with discipline as they confront danger together.

⚔️ Power & Intrigue

Palace politics drive the plot as rival princes scheme to remove Wang and seize the throne. Deception, fragile alliances, and spectacular combat sequences reveal the fragility of power. The climactic battles expose true loyalties and determine the fate of the empire.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

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Dirty Ho Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dirty Ho, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dirty Ho Summary

Dirty Ho Timeline

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Dirty Ho Timeline

More About Dirty Ho

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