Yao’s Young Warriors (1983)

Featuring colorful costumes, large-scale combat, and an engaging story of five youths defending their grandmother against a small army, Yao’s Young Warriors is a rousing adventure, filled with plenty of spectacle.

Like most historically-based adventure films, the story takes place right in the middle of a larger plot. A bit of narration at the beginning helps to get the uninitiated up to speed without causing confusion. The Sung Dynasty is coming to a close as Chin forces overrun the country. Yet General Yao and his army are holding out upon a mountain. Although surrounded, he has forced the Chin into a stalemate. The Chin decides to kidnap Yao’s mother in order to use her to force Yao to capitulate. As the story begins, a small army is headed to the Yao family residence. The son of Yao’s second general gets there first to warn them of the attack. He’s a dark-skinned youth with a wild nature who quickly bonds with the youngest of Yao’s five grandsons. Each of the five are first rate martial artists. Their collective specialty is in the use of spears that when used cooperatively is devastating to their opponents. Taking dozens of attendants and fellow Sung loyalists with them, the six young men meet the incoming army in the field and force their retreat. Yet not to be defeated so easily, the Chins attack the family household that night. Although they fail to reach Yao’s grandmother, they do kidnap the youngest grandson. But, the Yao’s have also kidnapped the Chin leader’s sister. The grandmother orders the humbled girl to be released. She vows to beg for the grandson’s release, but her brother refuses. The remaining four grandsons and their fiery-tempered friend go to save the boy and receive help from the girl who ends up leading her brother away. Before the Yao brothers can return home, they are forced to combine their abilities to defeat four vicious fighters who have been sent by the Chins. Repeatedly defeated and heartbroken over his sister’s fate, the leader of the Chin army orders a withdrawal.

Once again, mainland China proves to be in every way the equal to Hong Kong’s martial arts output. Yao’s Young Warriors is a potent example. Although the actors will be unfamiliar to most people outside mainland China, the characters they play are entertaining. In particular, the youngest Yao brother and his dark-skinned friend, whom everyone teases affectionately are the most fun to watch. Not surprisingly, the martial arts on display involve mostly skills from wushu origins with lots of very ballet-like swordplay and spearmanship. Yet, unlike a lot of other Hong Kong and American martial arts films, most of the camera shots are long and clearly show all of the actors’ authentic and highly impressive physical skills. The best part is saved for the end battle between the brothers and four Chin fighters who each specialize in a different form of kung fu. This is where we get to see a bit of Shaolin technique and one extremely fine example of the “dart-on-a-rope.”

If anything is wrong with the film, it may be the episodic nature of the narrative. The viewer may feel like they are missing out on the bigger picture. For instance, what happened to General Yao? Better get used to it though if you like Chinese film. Chinese history, literature and storytelling is often so epic in scope that no 90 minute film could possibly be anything less than an episode. Thankfully, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of this picture. Anyone looking for a lavish martial arts adventure like The South Shaolin Master will likely enjoy this film.