The Blade

The Blade

Year: 1995

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Tsui Hark

ActionEpic heroesIntense combat and martial artsFantasy adventure heroism and swordplayShow All…

Adopted by a famed swordsmith, a young man learns his biological father was slain by the dreaded bandit Lung. He sets out for revenge but is ambushed by ruthless desert marauders who sever his right arm. Nursed back to health, he masters new techniques to compensate for the loss and returns to face Lung, seeking justice for his father's murder.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Blade (1995)

Trace every key event in The Blade (1995) 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

Ding-on's life at Sharp Foundry

Ding-on is an orphaned blacksmith working in Sharp Foundry under a master who is a friend of his deceased father. The master treats him with respect and trust, shaping his early skills. Ling, the master's daughter and a narrator of the tale, watches the budding camaraderie around the forge.

Sharp Foundry
2

Ling's attraction and rivalry

Ling narrates the story and finds herself attracted to both Ding-on and his colleague Iron Head. The developing tension between the two men creates a quiet undercurrent of rivalry as she observes their different temperaments and loyalties.

3

Monk ambush and master’s rebuke

Ding-on and Iron Head witness a monk fending off thugs; the monk is later killed in revenge. Iron Head taunts the thugs, claiming his Sharp Foundry ties, which provokes the master’s anger. As punishment for reckless behavior, the master disciplines Iron Head.

4

Ding-on is named successor

The master announces Ding-on as his successor, boosting Ding-on’s standing at the foundry. Iron Head’s resentment grows louder as he watches the appointment. The balance shifts and Ding-on is placed on a path toward leadership.

Sharp Foundry
5

Revelations of a father’s sacrifice

That night, Ding-on overhears Ling speaking with her grandmother about his father’s death while saving Ling’s father from Flying Dragon. The revelation fuels his desire for vengeance. He takes his father’s broken sword and bids farewell to his master, setting out alone.

Ling's home
6

Farewell interrupted by danger

Ling makes a desperate attempt to catch up with Ding-on but runs into trouble with thugs. Ding-on hears Ling’s screams and turns back to rescue her. In the ensuing fight, he loses his right arm and tumbles off a cliff.

Cliff area
7

A new life with Blackie

Ding-on is saved and nursed back to health by a peasant named Blackie. Crippled and unable to pursue revenge, he buries his father’s broken sword and tries to build a quiet life with Blackie. He begins to doubt the path of vengeance he once planned.

Blackie's village
8

Ling and Iron Head in pursuit

Meanwhile Ling and Iron Head venture out to find him, while Ling grows increasingly disillusioned with life after witnessing Iron Head exploit a prostitute he had saved earlier.

9

Humiliation and bandit attack

Ding-on endures humiliation while working at a restaurant and dreams of revenge. A gang of bandits attack, burn his house, tie him upside down, and beat him mercilessly, shattering any sense of security he had left.

Restaurant area
10

A hidden manual arrives

Blackie discovers a hidden martial arts manual and passes it to Ding-on, giving him a new source of hope. The book’s incomplete techniques challenge him, but his determination begins to spark.

Blackie's home
11

Training and a breakthrough

Ding-on trains with the manual and his broken sword, initially struggling due to handicap and missing pieces. Fueled by rage, he eventually unlocks a devastating spinning movement that compensates for his lost arm. The breakthrough marks a turning point in his fight against despair.

12

Ding-on saves Ling without revealing himself

Ding-on uses his new skills to kill the bandits who burned his house and to save Ling from danger. He does not reveal his identity to her, keeping his transformation concealed.

Ling's vicinity
13

Skeleton’s plot and Flying Dragon’s assault

Skeleton recruits Flying Dragon to help destroy Sharp Foundry. A battle erupts between Flying Dragon and the forge’s blacksmiths, while the master struggles to defend the forge and the workers.

Sharp Foundry
14

Ding-on’s return and Flying Dragon’s fall

Ding-on returns in time to defend his master and kills Flying Dragon after a long duel. Skeleton and his men flee in defeat. The crisis forces him to confront his loyalties.

Sharp Foundry
15

Leaving the forge

Ding-on leaves Sharp Foundry with Blackie, turning away from the forge and the life he once sought. In the final scene, an aged Ling imagines herself embracing Ding-on and returning to happier times.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:27

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The Blade Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Blade, 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 Blade Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Blade

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Blade

The Blade Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Blade Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Blade

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More About The Blade

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