Seven Swords (Qi jian)(2005) (R)

synopsis

Set in seventeenth century China. The inhabitants of Manchuria, under the Qing dynasty, have extended their dominion over the entire Country. While the masters of martial arts gather to prepare nationalist revolts, the new government--seeking to maintain order --emits a decree prohibiting martial arts. Wind of Fire, an official in the previous dynasty, hopes to take advantage of this situation by contributing to the enforcement of the new law. Avid, cruel and immoral, Wind of Fire plunders North-Western China, and his goal is to reach the final objective, to destroy the Martial Arts Village. Fu Qingzhu, a former executioner from the previous dynasty, wants to stop this brutality at any cost and prepares to save the Fortress at Bowei. He takes Wu Yuanyin and Han Zhiban with him, traveling to Mount Paradise to beseech the help of Incandescent Shadow, a hermit and master of arms who guides a group of disciple-swordsmen. Master Incandescent Shadow agrees to help them, ordering four of his best disciples to depart. Thus the group of Seven Swords is formed, and their heroic journey begins...