Four Dragons

Kinta, or better known in the United States as Four Dragons, is a visually stunning action martial arts film. Set back in the year 1881 in Kinta when large quantities of tin were discovered which was very profitable. As a result of this sudden tin discovery, hundreds of men migrated to this area in search of work and a better life. However, all these men quickly realized that they were no longer free men, but instead prisoners to Tin Sok, Master Hoong and Master Sam. Four key prisoners emerged named Dragon, Blaze, Ace and Tiger trying desperately to become free men again. This story contains elements of escape, betrayal and love intertwined perfectly throughout.

Within the first ten minutes, unique cinematic characteristics distinguish this film from other martial arts films. This film delivers a knockout punch in the area of visual effects and editing during intense fight scenes. The use of slow motion and bright, red colored blood in large quantities was utilized to make the fight scenes more intense and dramatic. I personally believe that director C.L. Hor did a terrific job of balancing the use of these visually stunning fight scenes showcasing blood. The picture below is a great example of the use of blood as a cinematic device while fighting.

Further into the film, the four prisoners, collectively known together as the four dragons, were ambushed from the order of Master Honng. This high-ranking evil official would not tolerate anybody trying to hinder his lucrative tin business. Each of the four dragons survived which led to the sudden questioning of several people. Dan Dan the daughter of Master Hoong became distant from her father because of how he was treating all of his workers. She however, falls in love with Tiger against her father’s wishes.

Blaze, who was raised by Tin Sok, eventually discovered in a letter that his father was Master Sam who abandoned him as a child. Blaze quickly grew attached with Master Sam and Master Hoong and their interests in expanding the tin business. As a result, Blaze killed his friend, Dragon, as a request from his father.

At the end of the film there is a fighting tournament with the belief that whoever is the last man standing becomes the new leader. Blaze threw himself into the cage fighting on behalf of Master Sam and Ace enters to challenge him. They both become knocked out which sets up two more contenders. The last fight scene is between Forest who is on Master Sam’s side and his opponent Tiger. Finally, Tiger who is being cheered on by Dan Dan overcomes all odds and defeats Forest to set all of the tin workers free.

Thinking that Tiger has successfully saved the day and also hundreds of lives is completely incorrect. By the year 1884, Kantin became the biggest exporter in the entire world of tin. So the unbalance of power, the struggles and hardships of all people will continue.

A narrator was used frequently throughout the course of the film, which is considered a narrative pattern. The narrator was able to provide more information pertaining to certain situations that otherwise would not have been understood. A second narrative pattern was the use of flashbacks that both Tiger and Dragon would have the night they were ambushed. These two characters would frequently dream about that night and how they barely survived.