The Duel of the Century

The Duel of the Century

Year: 1981

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Chor Yuen

MysteryAction

A mystery‑tinged martial‑arts epic and one of director Chu Yuan’s final collaborations with novelist Ku Lung for Shaw Studios. Liu Yung and Sun Chien investigate the murder of a supposedly mortally wounded swordsman, uncovering deception, double‑dealings, imposters and relentless duels. Three top choreographers stage the film’s dynamic fight sequences.

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Timeline & Setting – The Duel of the Century (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Duel of the Century (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival

The story unfolds in a period of dynastic intrigue and martial brotherhood, with ritual duels and courtly ceremonies shaping the narrative. It emphasizes an ancient, ceremonial atmosphere where decisions are tied to honor and lineage. The timeframe grounds politics and swordsplay in a world of eunuchs, emperors, and secretive sects.

Location

Imperial China, Tibet

Set against imperial China, the tale moves across the royal palace, crematoriums, brothels, and gambling dens where power and reputation are at stake. The involvement of the White Cloud sect and the Holy Water Sect hints at a wider geographic stage that touches Tibetan regions. The setting blends opulent court life with shadowy back rooms where loyalties shift and plots are hatched.

❄️ Imperial China 🗺️ Tibetan realms

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:01

Main Characters – The Duel of the Century (1981)

Meet the key characters of The Duel of the Century (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ye Gucheng (Jason Pai Piao)

A renowned swordsman whose duel with Ximen Chuixue anchors the plot. He is initially implicated in Zhang Renying's murder, yet his actions reveal a web of personal and political motives. His revelations and eventual death tie personal loyalty to imperial upheaval, complicating the meaning of honor.

🗡️ Swordsman 🕵️ Mystery 🧭 Ambition

Ximen Chuixue (Elliot Ngok Wah)

A legendary swordsman and Lu Xiaofeng’s counterpart who helps uncover the deeper conspiracy. He questions Ye’s motives and becomes central to the escalating duel, ultimately prevailing in combat as the truth about the plot unfolds.

🗡️ Swordsman 🕊️ Honor 🧪 Rivalry

Lu Xiaofeng (Tony Liu)

The scheming yet principled organizer who gathers allies to uncover the truth. He navigates betrayals, rescues associates, and pieces together how the emperor's fate is being manipulated, all while balancing personal risk and moral duty.

🧠 Strategist 🛡️ Protector 🧭 Investigator

Hua Manlou (Sun Chien)

A skilled martial artist who perceives inconsistencies in Ye Gucheng’s story and supports Lu’s investigation. He provides practical insight and acts as a stabilizing force amid the intrigue.

🥋 Martial artist 🧭 Ally 🗝️ Insight

Leng Chingchiou (Ching Li)

Leng Qingqiu, Ye Gucheng’s wife, whose illness and demand for an antidote become a catalyst for action. Her condition drives key negotiations and moral decisions surrounding the duel and the conspiracy.

❤️ Wife 🧭 Motivation 🩺 Illness

Wang An (Tang Ching)

The chief eunuch whose machinations aim to topple the emperor and redraw the dynastic order. He leverages Ye and others to further his own vision of a Tibet-aligned regime, making him a central antagonist.

🏯 Eunuch 💰 Power 🗡️ Conspiracy

Kuo Chingfeng (Ai Fei)

Leader of the White Cloud sect who collaborates with Wang An to execute a larger plot. His actions reveal the sect’s political ambitions and its role in the palace intrigues surrounding the throne.

⚔️ Martial leader 🗝️ Conspiracy 🏯 Power

Yan Renying (Ku Kuan-Chung)

A rival swordsman who accuses Ye of murder, triggering a chain of events that exposes the deeper conspiracy. His confrontation with Ye sets the emotional and strategic stakes for the duel.

🗡️ Rival 🧭 Accusation 🗺️ Suspicion

Gan Er Jiao (Lam Fai-Wong)

A manipulative figure connected to the deception surrounding Zhang Renying’s body and the larger plot. His actions contribute to the series of misdirections that drive the investigation.

🎭 Puppeteer 🕵️‍♂️ Duplicity 🗺️ Plot device

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:01

Major Themes – The Duel of the Century (1981)

Explore the central themes of The Duel of the Century (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Duty and Honor

The characters are pulled between personal loyalty and the broader duties to family, friends, and country. Lu Xiaofeng orchestrates investigations to protect those he cares about while navigating a web of deception. The central duel tests the protagonists’ commitment to truth, even at the cost of reputation or life. Honor is shown as both a motivator and a potential trap, guiding actions and revealing true intentions.

🗝️ Power and Conspiracy

Wang An and Kuo Chingfeng manipulate events to destabilize the emperor and redraw the political map. The plot threads connect palace intrigue, sect rivalries, and throne succession, suggesting a carefully crafted conspiracy. The duel becomes a tool to attract protection away from the emperor and to expose those who would rewrite history. Power is portrayed as something wrestled over by many hands, not a singular act.

🕵️ Identity and Deception

Impersonations, hidden motives, and alibis drive the mystery, with Ye Gucheng sometimes appearing as both perpetrator and pawn. Imposters and misdirections (including Sek Gong’s reappearance) force characters to question what is true. The revelation sequence gradually strips away false identities until the real motives and loyalties emerge. The story continually probes how appearances can mask dangerous truths.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:01

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The Duel of the Century Timeline

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