The Magic Crane
A wuxia tale of cranes, clans, and conflicted loyalties.
The Magic Crane (新仙鶴神針) is a 1993 Hong Kong wuxia film based on Wolong Sheng’s novel *Xian He Shen Zhen*. Directed by Benny Chan and produced by Tsui Hark, it features Tony Leung, Anita Mui, and Rosamund Kwan.
The story begins when Cao Xiong, leader of the 18 Riders of Yanyun, summons a martial arts gathering. The Diancang Clan master Yiyangzi and his apprentice Ma Junwu travel there, and Ma begins a romance with Bai Yunfei, who rides a large crane. At the gathering, Tianlong Clan leader Su Penghai and his sister Yuxiao Xianzi release venomous bats to force other clans into submission. Bai’s crane drives the bats away, but many are injured.
Ma and Bai search for a cure on the crane, but it is stolen by Lan Xiaodie, who holds a grudge against Bai. Years earlier, Lan’s father Lan Haiping neglected his family to help Bai, a former princess; Lan’s mother died of frustration, and Lan blames both her father and Bai. Lan and Bai fight and wound each other, but Ma takes the cure and escapes with Bai.
Back at the gathering, Cao Xiong is accused of colluding with the Tianlong Clan. Yiyangzi tries to help Cao, but Cao turns on him. Younger clan members plot to seize power. Bai gives Ma a healing manual, sparking jealousy; Cao and others attack Ma and Yiyangzi to steal it. The pair split the manual and flee, but Cao grabs one half and falls off a cliff. He survives, learns the skill, and vows revenge.
Lan Haiping meets Bai and reveals the truth about their past. He later dies falling off a cliff while saving Lan Xiaodie. Cao returns, kills Su Penghai and Yuxiao Xianzi. Lan accidentally takes an aphrodisiac from Cao and has sex with Ma. Bai and Lan agree to a death duel, but Cao interrupts and defeats both.
Yiyangzi buries half the manual with Lan Haiping. Rain disintegrates the manual, which absorbs into Lan’s body and resurrects him. Lan Haiping, Yiyangzi, and Ma return to rescue Bai and Lan, and they fight Cao together. Bai and Cao both vanish during the battle. Ma agrees with Lan Xiaodie and her father to marry both Lan and Bai; in return, the Lans will help find Bai. Ma and Yiyangzi then carry the wulin leader’s flag and discuss selling it for money.
The theme song “The Magic Crane” was composed by Ng Tai-kong with lyrics by Lily Ho, sung by Anita Mui and Jacky Cheung. The insert song “Proudness” was composed by James Wong with lyrics by Mark Lui, sung by Winn
- Release year
- 1993
- Country
- Hong Kong
- Genre
- Wuxia
- Director
- Benny Chan
- Producer
- Tsui Hark
- Box office
- HK$8,159,384
- Theme song performer
- Anita Mui and Jacky Cheung
Lore & Background
The story follows Ma Junwu, an apprentice of the Diancang Clan, who travels with his master Yiyangzi to a wulin gathering called by Cao Xiong, chief of the 18 Riders of Yanyun. Ma meets Bai Yunfei, a woman who rides a large crane, and they begin a romantic relationship. At the gathering, Su Penghai of the Tianlong Clan releases venomous bats to force other clans into submission, but Bai's crane drives the bats away, though many are injured.
Reader's Guide
The Magic Crane is a representative example of early 1990s Hong Kong wuxia cinema, blending martial arts with fantasy elements such as a giant crane and venomous bats. Its plot features multiple betrayals, a resurrection via a disintegrating manual, and a polygamous resolution. The film received a 6/10 rating from City on Fire, which praised its practical effects and fight choreography but criticized its lack of structure and motives. It grossed HK$8,159,384 during its theatrical run from 19 August to 2 September 1993.
Did You Know?
- The film is adapted from the novel Xian He Shen Zhen by Wolong Sheng.
- The theme song 'The Magic Crane' was sung by Anita Mui and Jacky Cheung.
- The film's box office gross was HK$8,159,384.
- The character Lan Haiping is resurrected after a manual disintegrates and gets absorbed into his body.
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