Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Year: 1979

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: John Woo

DramaAction

Kao has taken a new wife, but a bitter enemy hires her to murder him. To shield himself and his loved ones, Kao summons a pair of master swordsmen for protection, while grappling with his own sinister side that could jeopardize their chances in a deadly clash.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Last Hurrah for Chivalry yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979)

Trace every key event in Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Wedding preparations at Kao's hillside estate

Kao, heir to a great warrior, prepares for his wedding at an opulent hillside estate. He confesses to his men that his bride is a prostitute he bought for 1000 tang. The men mutter that Kao has focused more on study and seduction than martial virtue, hinting that his scholarship has skewed toward the bedroom.

Before the wedding Kao's hillside estate
2

Wedding interrupted by Pak's attack

Pak and his men strike to reclaim the estate. The bride reveals that Pak paid her 2000 tang to betray Kao, turning the melee in his favor. Kao is forced to flee the chaos with his last servant, leaving the estate under Pak's control.

Wedding day—during the melee Kao's hillside estate
3

Kao vows revenge

Kao swears revenge, but realizes he cannot do it alone. His servant urges him to seek powerful help to even the odds. This marks the turning point from personal loss to a calculated plan for retribution.

Immediately after the escape Hillside outskirts
4

Grandmaster refuses the magic sword

Kao seeks a magic sword from a grandmaster to aid his vengeance. The grandmaster refuses, citing Kao's poor character as a moral impediment. The rejection signals that raw power will not be enough without virtue.

After the wedding Grandmaster's residence
5

Kao meets Chang, the hired warrior hopeful

Kao tracks down Chang, a fighter who has mostly stopped fighting to care for his sister and ailing mother. Kao persuades him by buying expensive medicines for his mother and later paying for his sister's funeral expenses. Chang is moved and begins to consider returning to battle.

After the grandmaster rejection Chang's village
6

Chang joins Kao's plan

Kao succeeds in convincing Chang to join his cause. The alliance is forged through mercy and mutual need rather than honor. Together they begin to plan their confrontation with Pak.

Shortly after meeting Chang's village
7

Chang and Tsing meet at Sau Sau's courtyards

Chang climbs the wall of a courtyard to enjoy Sau Sau's music. There he meets Tsing, a drunken wandering mercenary who is in a one-sided relationship with the courtesan. The two men quickly form a bond of brotherhood and resolve to work together.

Evening Pak's estate courtyard
8

The pair joins Kao's cause

Chang and Tsing team up with Kao’s cause, agreeing to help defeat Pak and reclaim the estate. They scout Pak's estate to identify the most dangerous henchmen and plan a strike. Their partnership deepens as they prepare for a high-stakes confrontation.

Before the assault Pak's estate
9

Henchmen fall; Pak is defeated

The trio defeats Pak's henchmen in sequence and presses toward Pak. They win a hard-fought battle that ends with Pak's defeat and Kao's estate reclaimed, though at a price. The victory confirms Kao's dangerous road to vengeance.

Night of the assault Pak's estate
10

Tsing reveals Kao's betrayal attempt

After the victory, Tsing confronts Chang and reveals that Kao had offered 500 tang to kill him. The admission seeds mistrust and frays their fragile alliance. The revelation hints at deeper betrayals to come.

Immediately after victory Pak's estate
11

Chang's death is discovered

Later, Kao's family servant discovers Chang's lifeless body. The death deepens the rift between Kao and his allies and shows the human cost of their pursuit. It signals the price of vengeance visiting those who helped Kao.

Later Pak's estate courtyard
12

Kao steals the magic sword; master killed

Kao ransacks the grandmaster's home and finds the magic sword hidden behind a mirror. He kills the grandmaster and lies to his servant that the death was suicide. This act marks Kao's moral decline as he seizes power through fear.

After the theft Grandmaster's residence
13

Kao kills the loyal servant

A family servant confronts Kao about his character, challenging his choices. Kao kills the servant to silence him and preserve his ambitions. The act reinforces Kao's descent into tyranny.

Shortly after the sword theft Grandmaster's residence
14

Tsing delivers the trap: snakes

Tsing comes to collect payment from Kao, who offers a bag as settlement. Tsing suspects a trap and discards the bag, which is filled with venomous snakes. The snakes slither into the confrontation, adding a lethal hazard to the final fight.

During the payments scene Kao's hillside estate
15

Final duel and tragic ending

Chang arrives to join the final battle as Kao and Tsing clash. The magic sword lets Kao fly into the sky and strike from above, unleashing a devastating fall. On the third attempt, Tsing pushes Chang aside and raises his own sword toward the heavens, and Kao and Tsing impale each other, leaving Chang as the sole survivor.

Final duel Pak's estate battlefield

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:42

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Don't stop at just watching — explore Last Hurrah for Chivalry in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Last Hurrah for Chivalry is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Last Hurrah for Chivalry Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Last Hurrah for Chivalry, 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.

Last Hurrah for Chivalry Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Last Hurrah for Chivalry. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Last Hurrah for Chivalry

More About Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Last Hurrah for Chivalry: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Similar Movies to Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Discover movies like Last Hurrah for Chivalry that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.