THE ORDEAL BEFORE THE REVOLUTION (1986) Summary by Jamie
CAST Wong Yat Wah SERIES REVIEW SUMMARY The story is about Ah Ngau (Felix) who starts off as the slave servant of a rich family. Patricia is also a maidservant in this rich family and Felix harbours a secret love for her. However, Patricia was interested in the eldest son of the rich family (the "siu yeh"). As fate has it, the "siu yeh" was actually involved in subversive activities (revolutionary activities to drive the Manchurians from China). Ah Ngau gets accused of being involved, but he manages to escape from detention, with help from Patricia. Felix and Patricia get married, and live quietly at a secluded house. They were happy for a while until one day when the mountain robbers came and captured them thinking they had in their possession some of the robber’s property. In their attempt to save each other, Patricia and Felix got separated. Both thought the other was dead (talk about tragic lovers). Patricia bums around looking for a job, till finally she got settled with this opera singer who was reasonably rich. Felix was saved and cared for by the mountain robbers (after the misunderstanding was cleared up). During his time of recuperation, he becomes best friends with Liu Kai Chi, the son of one of the gang leaders. He ends up joining the gang of robbers. Then Kitty Lai comes into the picture. She was kidnapped by the gang of robbers, but Felix releases her when he finds out she was to be killed. (Yup, he’s still the kind-hearted guy here). Somehow Liu Kai Chi got arrested and was to be beheaded. Felix seeks the help of Kitty Lai who was to be married to the son of a high official in-charge of security and police. Things happen in between, and Kitty Lai becomes the fugitive, as a fellow conspirator with the mountain robbers. So Kitty ends up living with the mountain robbers – and later gets married with Felix. They even have a son together. Then it’s time for the love triangle to develop. Felix bumps into Patricia during one of his robbery attempts at the opera house. It was then he found out Patricia was together with the opera singer. He was obviously heart-broken. And later, Patricia would marry Felix’s father-in-law, as the second wife. That makes Patricia the "mother-in-law" of Felix… hmm… But true love prevailed. After a few times of both resisting their emotions, they finally allowed their feelings to dictate their actions and had an affair. Felix was confused as he had to choose between his present wife and his previous wife, which he thought was dead. Kitty caught them both in bed together and she was on the verge of divorcing with Felix. That was until she realized Patricia was his "dead" wife. The plot begins to get a little more manly (and heroic?) when Felix joins the revolution. He gets caught and together with Kitty, was to be shot in front of the firing squad. Kitty had finally realized that Felix was a true hero and had forgiven him. Just then, Patricia blackmails the official in charge (who was Kitty’s brother – a baddie who would do anything to keep his job). So, Felix and Kitty were released and given a boat to leave. The scene where Felix said goodbye to Patricia was touching. He told Patricia that his heart had always been and will always be with her…. Patricia was killed by the bad guy after Felix and his wife had left. The last scene was set after the revolution had ended, when the Manchurians were successfully driven out of China. Felix and Kitty were enjoying a lion dance together to celebrate the victory. RATING (5) I m not sure about the characterization of Ah Ngau. He seems like a real nice guy at the start. Then, I guess he is supposed to change to a hardened robber – and later a hero for his country. But the transition is not smooth. I think that’s the fault of the scriptwriter. Is he a good guy? Seems to be – since he’d do anything for his friends. But wait, he ill-treats his wife. I think he even beat her. OK, he’s supposed to be a good robber (the Chinese Robin Hood) but then he didn’t just rob the rich. Though there was one scene where he gave to the poor. He’s a good husband? But he wasn’t filial to his wife. Patricia was his ex-wife but that’s no excuse right? In conclusion, I don’t know what to make out of AH NGAU. WONG YAT WAH AS AH NGAU I have seen Wong Yat Wah in his element. So this role seems like a slightly weak performance. But like I said, I think it’s the script that’s the problem. Felix was still very entertaining and watchable. Liu Kai Chi deserves special commendation for being so funny and really good at his role. A total contrast from the boring Mr. Kung Suen Chak in Justice Pao.
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