The Pirate (1973)

The Pirate 1973 / 大海盜 1973 / Da Hai Dao , Daai Hoi Diy

Disguised as a rich trader, pirate Cheung Po Tsai sales to a shoreline southern China, where the villagers live in poverty due to struggle against exploitation and corruption by the government. There he attracts the attention of merchant Xiang You Lin and his sister who are keen on killing him for bounty. Cheung then agrees to expedite funds to them in the form of cash and goods stolen from foreign invading colonists. While still on land, Cheung discovers that one of his former crew member Hua Er Dao, who is an escaped convict, has captured his ship, goods and his crew. As Hua determines to seek vengeance on him, Cheung flees and seeks refuge in a casino. The admiral of the Qing imperial court sends young general Wu Yee to investigate where pirates are hiding and ultimately finds Cheung. As the two encounters each other, each of them displays their skills in a duel while also appreciating each other. Wu eventually grows respect for Cheung for his righteous nature and begins to question his own conscience.