The Valiant Ones

The Valiant Ones

1974 · 102 min · ★ 6.9 · Adventure, Action

A righteous husband-and-wife swordfighting duo struggle to protect China from the machinations of Japanese pirates and corrupt officials.

Directed by King Hu · Written by King Hu

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Franatic Amazon Channel

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

4h 42m together

The Valiant Ones

A Touch of Zen

Both from King Hu.

More from King HuSee all →

Laughter and TearsLaughter and Tears · 1958
Laughter and Tears
9.01958
MovieDrama
Tao Zutai, a bank employee, has five children. Tao's wife is addicted to gambling and spends too much and the eldest daughter Guiru is greedy for vanity. Tao is overjoyed when he is notified that he will be promoted to deputy manager.
Song of the ExileSong of the Exile · 1990
Song of the Exile
7.61990
MovieDrama
Set in the early 1970s, it tells the story of a Chinese-Japanese student who returns to her native Hong Kong after graduating from a university in London. Once she arrives back home, she and her family begin to fight, largely due to cultural and societal conflicts between her mother and herself.
A Touch of ZenA Touch of Zen · 1970
A Touch of Zen
7.61970
MovieActionAdventure
Yang Hui-zhen, a mysterious princess on the run from corrupt government officials, is joined in her endeavors by skilled Buddhist monks and an unambitious painter named Gu Sheng-zhai.
The Dancing MillionairessThe Dancing Millionairess · 1964
The Dancing Millionairess
7.51964
MovieMusicRomance
Chen Hou is a chauffeur who gets caught in a mistaken identity scandal linking him to businesswoman Lok Dai. Chen was supposed to audition for a job as her chauffeur, but a proposed musical show is far more attractive to the aspiring dancer. When a rumor gets out that the two are involved in an affair, she's angry and confronts him, but his charms overwhelm her, and it's revealed that she too desires to dance. Soon she's bankrolling the affair, the sets are being built, and the singing and dancing begin!
Legend of the MountainLegend of the Mountain · 1979
Legend of the Mountain
7.41979
MovieHorrorFantasy
A traveling scholar is intent on translating a Buddhist sutra that is said to have power over the creatures of the afterlife. He slowly finds himself entangled in a mysterious plot involving witchcraft, demons, and a battle to preserve his own soul from the attacks of the supernatural underworld.
Dragon InnDragon Inn · 1967
Dragon Inn
7.41967
MovieActionAdventure
China, year 1457. The Minister of Defense is executed, and his children are sentenced to exile by order of the tyrannical Tsao. Fearful of future revenge from the young people, Tsao sends cruel soldiers to murder them, but a brave group of swordsmen can change the course of the battle at the Dragon Inn.
Raining in the MountainRaining in the Mountain · 1979
Raining in the Mountain
7.31979
MovieActionAdventure
In Ming Dynasty China, the retiring abbot of a Buddhist monastery invites two dignitaries to help him choose a successor, not suspecting that both of them have hired help to steal a priceless parchment kept in the temple.
All the King's MenAll the King's Men · 1983
All the King's Men
7.31983
MovieActionDrama
It's the 10th century BC, the emperor is not well, and the medicines he is receiving from con artist "Immortal Li" are in reality only making him worse.
The Dream of the Red ChamberThe Dream of the Red Chamber · 1962
The Dream of the Red Chamber
7.21962
MovieDramaRomance
The Ching Dynasty novel The Dream of The Red Chamber is not only the most widely read, but also the most filmed book in Chinese history. The sprawling love story has proven a challenge to many filmmakers, but this version is acclaimed as the most successful. A sumptuous feature which took three years of planning and another for production, it was a hugely popular and critical hit which still stands out as a classic of both 18th century literature and 1960s moviemaking.
SwordsmanSwordsman · 1990
Swordsman
7.01990
MovieActionAdventure
A kung-fu manual known as the Sacred Scroll is stolen from the Emperor's library. An army detachment is sent to recover it. Meanwhile, a young swordsman and his fellow disciple are accidentally drawn into the chaos.
The Bride NappingThe Bride Napping · 1962
The Bride Napping
7.01962
MovieComedyDrama
The romance of a squire's daughter and a poor but refined scholar is thwarted when a loutish bandit is mistaken for the scholar by a confused servant and is given the idea that the daughter's hand in marriage is his for the asking. Rich in cross-dressing, mistaken identities, and reversals of gender roles, the film playfully subverts traditional Confucian values.
The Kingdom and the BeautyThe Kingdom and the Beauty · 1959
The Kingdom and the Beauty
6.91959
MovieDramaRomance
This is a musical about a young emperor who is lured via stories told to a place called Kiang-Nan by his royal tutor. The empress mother has the tutor go to Kiang-Nan to bring him back.
The Fate of Lee KhanThe Fate of Lee Khan · 1973
The Fate of Lee Khan
6.81973
MovieActionAdventure
Lee Khan, a high official under Mongolian Emperor Yuan of the Yuan dynasty procures the battle map of the Chinese rebel Chu Yuan-Chang's army. Rebel spies, aided by treachery within Khan's ranks, strive to corner him in an inn.
Four MoodsFour Moods · 1970
Four Moods
6.81970
MovieDramaFantasy
Directed by some of most well known Chinese-language directors of the time, the portmanteau film Four Moods was an attempt to alleviate Li Han-hsiang’s financial troubles during the late 1960s. Arguably one of his best works, King Hu’s short Anger is an adaptation of the famous Peking opera San Cha Kou; set to opera instrumentation and stylishly shot, the film deftly captures the tense showdown between political schemers, avengers and vagabonds inside an inn. Li Han-hsiang’s Happiness, inspired by the Strange Tales of Liaozhai, tells a tale of reprieve for a kind-hearted ghost, while Pai Ching-Jui’s Joy and Lee Hsing’s Sadness both explore the fateful encounters between mortal men and ghostly women.
Between Tears and SmilesBetween Tears and Smiles · 1964
Between Tears and Smiles
6.81964
MovieDramaRomance
Fan Chia-soo is a kind-hearted student whose heart is captured by the sweet song of Shen Feng-hsien. However, he is not the only one who has eyes for Shen. The General's henchmen are also determined to present the songstress to their superior as a gift. Fan received help from an unexpected quarter to save the woman he loves.
Come Drink with MeCome Drink with Me · 1966
Come Drink with Me
6.71966
MovieActionAdventure
Golden Sparrow is a fighter-for-hire who has been contracted by the local government to retrieve the governor's kidnapped son. Holding him is a group of rebels who are demanding that their leader be released from prison in return for the captured son. After a brief encounter with the gang at a local restaurant, Golden Sparrow is joined by an inebriated wanderer Drunken Cat who aids her in her mission.

More Like This

The GooniesThe Goonies · 1985
The Goonies
7.51985
MovieAdventureComedy
Young teen Mikey Walsh and his friends set off on a quest to find Pirate One-Eyed Willie's treasure in hopes of saving their homes from demolition. However, on their quest to find the treasure, they run into a family of recently escaped criminals, determined to capture the kids and reach the treasure first.
WaterworldWaterworld · 1995
Waterworld
6.21995
MovieAdventureAction
In a futuristic world where the polar ice caps have melted and made Earth a liquid planet, a beautiful barmaid rescues a mutant seafarer from a floating island prison. They escape, along with her young charge, Enola, and sail off aboard his ship. But the trio soon becomes the target of a menacing pirate who covets the map to 'Dryland'—which is tattooed on Enola's back.
The Tale of DespereauxThe Tale of Despereaux · 2008
The Tale of Despereaux
6.22008
MovieAdventureAnimation
Once upon a time... in the far away kingdom of Dor... lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro, who leads him, at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.
HookHook · 1991
Hook
6.81991
MovieAdventureFantasy
The boy who wasn't supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter's kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland.
Cutthroat IslandCutthroat Island · 1995
Cutthroat Island
5.81995
MovieActionAdventure
Morgan Adams and her slave, William Shaw, are on a quest to recover the three portions of a treasure map. Unfortunately, the final portion is held by her murderous uncle, Dawg. Her crew is skeptical of her leadership abilities, so she must complete her quest before they mutiny against her. This is made yet more difficult by the efforts of the British crown to end her pirate raids.
Curse of the Golden FlowerCurse of the Golden Flower · 2006
Curse of the Golden Flower
6.92006
MovieActionDrama
During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as his wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
The WarriorThe Warrior · 2001
The Warrior
7.02001
MovieHistoryDrama
In 1375, China was in chaos between Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Coryo (an ancient kingdom of Korea then) sent a delegation of many diplomats, soldiers and a silent slave to make peace with the new Chinese government. However, this delegation got charged as spies and sent in exile to a remote desert.
God of WarGod of War · 2017
God of War
6.32017
MovieActionHistory
During the 16th century, pirates rule the Chinese coastline, pillaging the small villages and terrorizing the citizens. When maverick leader Commander Yu enlists the help of a sharp young general, they devise a plan to defeat the pirates. A violent clash of wit and weapons will decide who will rule the land.
PiratesPirates · 1986
Pirates
6.31986
MovieAdventureComedy
The adventures of pirate Captain Red and his first mate Frog.
The Crimson PirateThe Crimson Pirate · 1952
The Crimson Pirate
7.01952
MovieAdventureComedy
Burt Lancaster plays a pirate with a taste for intrigue and acrobatics who involves himself in the goings on of a revolution in the Caribbean in the late 1700s. A light hearted adventure involving prison breaks, an oddball scientist, sailing ships, naval fights and tons of swordplay.
The BanquetThe Banquet · 2006
The Banquet
6.12006
MovieFantasyDrama
Crown Prince Wu Luan is in love with Little Wan but left heartbroken when she marries his father, the emperor. The emperor's brother, Li, kills him and Wu Luan tries to avenge his father's death.
An Empress and the WarriorsAn Empress and the Warriors · 2008
An Empress and the Warriors
6.02008
MovieActionAdventure
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter