Chapter 253

Adapting a long novel into a film has always been difficult.

Jin Yong's novels are also more often adapted into TV dramas, and less often into films.

Those that are both critically acclaimed and box-office hits are even fewer; probably only 《The Smiling, Proud Wanderer》 and 《The Deer and the Cauldron》.

However, there is one film that, although it suffered a box-office flop that year, its reputation in Neidi was actually very good: that is 《The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Scroll: Master of the Demon Cult》.

Jiang Heng also approves of this film, having magically revised and condensed the complex first-half plot into a film over ninety minutes long, while still retaining the essence of the original—showing Wang Pangzi's skill.

As for that line, "Meeting someone is not as good as hearing their name; the renowned Zhang Sanfeng who shakes the heavens is merely an unimpressive-looking fat guy," that was probably also thought up by Wang Pangzi.

Jiang Heng's adaptation of 《Zhu Zion》 also faced the same problems.

His approach is largely the same as Wang Jing's: trim the complexity, condense the story to the point where Bi Yao blocks the Zhu Zion Sword Formation and Zhang Xiao Fan defects from Qing Yun.

However, the opening first act, the Grass Temple Village battle, was filmed extraordinarily well.

On the silver screen, Zhao Wenzhuo's portrayal of Master Puzhi looks like an eminent monk, while Yu Rongguang's Daoist Qing Song first hides within the black aura, having his black aura dispersed by Master Puzhi; he too wears a black robe, making his face indistinct.

Immediately forming hand seals and chanting a spell, he unleashes the "Divine Sword Thunder Control True Method"; then, deep in the clouds, countless electric arcs swiftly gather, with a booming thunderclap that explodes continuously across the horizon.

Half a moment later, deep within the dark vortex, a huge electric arc coalesces, shoots straight down, and lands upon the black-clad person's long sword.

The black-clad person flicks his wrist, and the electric arcs filling the sky surge like towering waves, shooting swiftly at Master Puzhi, illuminating the entire Grass Temple Village as if it were broad daylight.

But see Master Puzhi retreat three steps, dispel his hand seals, press his palms together, his face solemn, his whole body emitting a faint golden light, and he softly chants, "May the Buddha be compassionate!"

With a "crack", the jade rosary beads before him all shatter, forming a huge "Buddha" character three feet ahead of him, radiating blinding golden light.

The next instant, the electric light collides with the Buddha character. White light and golden radiance mingle together, magnificently splendid, then explode. The entire Grass Temple is blown apart into pieces, flying outward in all directions…

Inside the venue, almost everyone was stunned by the fight scene on the big screen.

Countless original fans shouted in delight, excited beyond words; truly unimaginable to be able to see such a faithful recreation of the novel's battle scene.

As for those who haven't read the original, they feel this fight segment is overly flashy, so intense right at the start; surely the rest will be even more splendid?

Afterwards comes the transitional plot: the two children, Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiao Fan, are sent up to Qing Yun Sect; one becomes a disciple of Daoist Qing Song on Longshou Peak, the other a disciple of Tian Buyi on Dazhu Peak.

Following that, several shots show the teenage Zhang Xiao Fan's life on Dazhu Peak and his experience obtaining the "Fire Stick".

After some cultivation practice, the teenage Zhang Xiao Fan is replaced by the youthful Zhang Xiao Fan portrayed by Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng is already not very old, and with his good upkeep, he looks youthful enough on the silver screen.

The senior figures below watched Jiang Heng's performance on the screen, either pondering or murmuring softly, "He really looks young!"

The second major scene is the "Seven Meridians Martial Assembly", though it is only relatively important; through rapid editing, many fight shots flash by in an instant.

However, the scene is still very grand, not comparable to the sort of martial arts gathering in Hong Kong/Taiwan Jin Yong dramas where a few dozen people are made to look like a grand martial arts convention.

The numerous disciples, the majestic and perilous Qing Yun Mountain, and the extremely realistic special-effects mountain guardian divine beast, the Water Qilin, all hint at the strength of Qing Yun Sect, presenting to the audience a "xianxia" world that feels especially real.

Inside the theater, an audience member couldn't help but whisper, "Director Jiang is amazing; when I first read the novel, I felt it was written very realistically, as if Qing Yun Sect truly existed, with Tian Buyi, Song Darin, Du Bishu, and Tian Ling'er as real people. Now watching it, it feels even more true!"

Indeed, there are too many supporting characters; many don't even get two lines of dialogue, yet they still appear!

Next comes the plot of Kong Sang Mountain; Jing Tian's Bi Yao appears, and Da Tian Tian's look in the film is extremely sweet, her personality truly embodying the role, instantly eliciting astonishment from many viewers.

Who is this person? She's practically Bi Yao walked right out of the book!

Too sweet!

Sounds like she's called something sweet; she played a female demon in that 《Flat Top Mountain》!

Isn't she the Lin'an Princess from 《Great Feng Night Watchman》? I love her the most!

Love her vigor, that feeling of vigor!

Compared to the true female lead, Lu Xueqi, Bi Yao is indeed more likable, especially at the film's ending when Bi Yao, to save Zhang Xiao Fan, leaps to block the Zhu Zion Sword Formation; at that instant, all sound disappears.

Inside the venue, who knows how many female viewers quietly sobbed, and many males also had moist eyes.

In an instant, the feeling of watching 《Titanic》 returned.

Big films are rare; big films that bring tears are even rarer.

《Titanic*'s astonishing box-office achievement is inseparable from its deeply moving love story.

Jiang Heng's previous works have given audiences mostly a sense of shock; rarely do they reach the point of bringing tears.

In 《The Lion-Camel Ridge》, the death of Tang Seng and Sun Wukong's outbreak are indeed moving and exhilarating, but their emotional impact differs from that of love.

At this moment, the female viewers in the venue regard 《Zhu Zion》 as a love epic akin to 《Titanic》, even though here the "female lead" sacrifices herself to save the male lead.

Some girls, thinking of their own sacrifices in love, have already cried themselves out.

After the film ended and the lights came up, the audience hurriedly wiped their tears, followed by thunderous applause.

The beautiful host of CCTV-6 Movie Channel, Tu Jingwei, walks onto the stage, sniffs, and says, "Thank you, Director Jiang, for presenting us with such a wonderful love‑effects film! Let us once again give Director Jiang a warm round of applause!"

Indeed, we were moved; putting love before the special effects, and still getting everyone to clap again.

That said, the original plot of 《Zhu Zion》 indeed possesses this capability.

In Neidi, web literature has developed for many years, and the IP value of 《Zhu Zion》 has always remained among the top.

After the applause subsided, Jiang Heng walked onto the stage and bowed his thanks.

After saying a few words, he called the main creators onto the stage.

When Jing Tian stepped onto the stage, many audience members loudly shouted, "Bi Yao! Bi Yao!"

By contrast, Lu Xueqi portrayed by Tang Yan did not receive such treatment.

Da Tian Tian was so excited she could hardly contain herself, hastily waving to the audience to express her thanks, and then bowed twice.

After taking the microphone, she said, "Thank you all for your affection and recognition. Here, I first want to thank the director of this film, Brother Jiang Heng; without him there would be no this film, and without his encouragement, I would not have played Bi Yao."

Below, the senior figures couldn't help but smile, wondering if this girl was giving an acceptance speech.

Actually, I can't act; before joining the production I told Brother Jiang Heng that he guided me bit by bit.

The reporters below heard this and their eyes lit up, "You can't act?"

(End of chapter)