The Iceman Cometh

The Iceman Cometh

Year: 1989

Runtime: 114 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Clarence Ford

Science FictionComedyAction

Centuries apart, the battle between good and evil endures. In the 16th century, Ming guard Fong Sau‑ching pursues the rapist Feng San, only for both to plunge into a glacier and be frozen. Over three hundred years later, scientists thaw them; a bewildered Fong must adapt to the modern world while resuming his quest to defeat his foe.

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Timeline & Setting – The Iceman Cometh (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Iceman Cometh (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

16th century and 1980s

The film spans two vastly different eras: the Ming dynasty in the 16th century and the vibrant 1980s Hong Kong. A magical artifact, the Black Jade Buddha, propels Fong Sau-ching and Feng San 300 years into the future, creating a temporal bridge. The juxtaposition of eras drives the narrative's themes of duty, fate, and transformation across centuries.

Location

16th Century Ming China, 1980s Kowloon, Hong Kong

The story begins in 16th century Ming China, where imperial authority and martial valor define the world. It then shifts to 1980s Kowloon in Hong Kong, a bustling urban landscape of electricity, television, and modern amenities that starkly contrasts with ancient codes. The settings highlight the clash between old honor and contemporary survival.

❄️ Historical 🗺️ Time Travel 🥋 Martial Arts

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Main Characters – The Iceman Cometh (1989)

Meet the key characters of The Iceman Cometh (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Polly (Maggie Cheung)

A glamorous and calculating woman who hires Fong as her servant and bodyguard, leveraging his martial arts prowess to survive in 1980s Kowloon. She is later revealed to have used him as part of her survival strategy, and her world gradually exposes deeper vulnerability. Her arc moves from manipulation to a choice about independence and safety.

🗡️ Villain 💃 Femme Fatale

Feng San (Yuen Wah)

A ruthless tyrant known for his brutal crimes, including rape and murder, who steals the Black Jade Buddha to gain time-travel power. He murders the princess and becomes a thief-turned-criminal who continues to hunt Fong across time. His confrontations with Fong are marked by sheer savagery and tactical cunning.

⚔️ Villain 🗡️ Assassin

Fong Sau-ching (Yuen Biao)

A Ming guard of unwavering honor who relentlessly pursues Feng San. He is thrust into servitude in the future and must navigate a new world while maintaining his duty. Through martial prowess and inner resolve, he evolves from a royal guard to a steadfast protector who remains bound to his emperor’s justice.

🗡️ Hero 🥋 Martial Artist

The Emperor (Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming)

A sovereign furious over Fong’s failure to save the princess, driving the narrative with demands for Feng San’s capture. His authority underscores the weight of imperial duty and the consequences of failure. He embodies the clash between dynastic power and personal accountability.

👑 Authority 🗡️ Power

Princess Nan Chang (Eva Lai)

The princess whose murder fuels the Emperor’s rage and catalyzes the pursuit of Feng San. Her death is a pivotal inciting moment that drives the early conflict and intensifies the stakes of the story. Her fate also links to the broader political and historical tensions of the era.

👸 Royalty 💔 Victim

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Major Themes – The Iceman Cometh (1989)

Explore the central themes of The Iceman Cometh (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕰️ Time Travel

Time travel is the central device that relocates characters across centuries, forcing them to confront consequences that cross eras. The artifact makes duty and personal desires collide, showing how actions in one period echo into another. The narrative uses temporal displacement to explore fate, responsibility, and legacy.

🗡️ Duty vs Revenge

Fong’s imperial obligation to capture Feng San constantly clashes with personal vendetta and the temptations of a new life. The fights and decisions test whether honor can coexist with vulnerability. The arc emphasizes that duty can demand costly sacrifices, including personal happiness.

❤️ Love and Manipulation

Polly’s manipulative relationship with Fong drives much of the plot, blending allure with deception. The dynamic probes whether affection can redeem or doom, influencing trust and loyalty. The evolving bond becomes a catalyst for transformative choices for both characters.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

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The Iceman Cometh Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Iceman Cometh, 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.

The Iceman Cometh Summary

The Iceman Cometh Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Iceman Cometh with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Iceman Cometh Timeline

More About The Iceman Cometh

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The Iceman Cometh (1989) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Iceman Cometh (1989) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Iceman Cometh (1989) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow