The Legend of Wisely (Chinese: 衛斯理傳奇 or 衞斯理傳奇; released in the Philippines as Fighters of the Empire) is a 1987 Hong Kong fantasy adventure film directed by Teddy Robin based on Ni Kuang's novel series, Wisely Series, starring Samuel Hui as the titular protagonist. The film co-stars Ti Lung, Joey Wong and Robin himself.

The Legend of Wisely
Film poster
Traditional Chinese衛斯理傳奇
Simplified Chinese卫斯理传奇
Hanyu PinyinWèi Sī Lǐ Chuán Qí
JyutpingWai6 Si1 Lei5 Zyun6 Kei4
Directed byTeddy Robin
Screenplay byPhilip Cheng
Gerald Liu
Calvin Poon
Based onWisely Series
by Ni Kuang
Produced bySamuel Hui
StarringSamuel Hui
Ti Lung
Teddy Robin
Joey Wong
CinematographyPeter Pau
Edited byCinema City Production Editing Unit
Music byLo Tayu
Production
company
Distributed byGolden Princess Film Production
Release date
  • 21 January 1987 (1987-01-21)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK$18,712,571

Plot

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Wisely, the famous writer/adventurer, is tricked by his friend (played by Teddy Robin, the film's director) into helping him steal the dragon pearl. Samuel Hui plays Wisely in this big budget Hong Kong movie, with production units filming some scenes by the Great Pyramids, and many scenes in Nepal. There are car chases and crashes, chases by horsemen and plenty of fights along the way. The Legend of Wisely is a live action comic book. A lot of effort went into making this movie, and it shows as Wisely goes from one hazard to another, a Hong Kong version of Indiana Jones.

Cast

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  • Samuel Hui as Wisely
  • Ti Lung as Pak Kei-wai
  • Teddy Robin as David Ko
  • Joey Wong as Sue Pak
  • Alan Ko as Little Master
  • Bruce Baron as Howard Hope
  • Heidi Makinen as Hope's assistant
  • Blackie Ko as The Two Headed Snake
  • Lee Hoi-hing as Hing
  • Paulo Tocha
  • Wellington Fung as Fake David Ko
  • Kim Fan as Little Master's guardian
  • Ng Chiu-leung
  • Lee Tak-shing
  • Chen Chun-kun
  • Chang Sing-kwong
  • Eva Cobo

Also known as

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  • Legend of Wisely
  • Legend of Wu
  • Wai Si-Lei chuen kei
  • La Légende de la perle d'or
  • The Legend of the Golden Pearl (UK title, 1987)
  • Legenda o zlaté perle
  • Wei si li chuan ji (China: Mandarin title)
  • Wisely Legend (literal English title)

Release

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The Legend of Wisely was released in Hong Kong on 21 January 1987. In the Philippines, the film was released by Pioneer Releasing as Fighters of the Empire on 9 March 1988.[1][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dragon's Seed". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. 6 March 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 23 June 2020. Hundreds of Tibetan monks pay tribute to the golden girl believed to be the seed of the dragon.... [Fighters of the Empire] stars Bruce Baron, John Delon, Paul Duran with Kathy Lin and Heidi Makinen.
  2. ^ "Grand Opening Today". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. 9 March 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 24 June 2020. Fighter 3: Philip Wisely
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