The entry on Wikipedia says that TV adaptations of Heaven Sword Dragon Saber/Yitian Dulong Ji is often used as a vehicle to promote up-and-coming stars, since the main character, a young man, is loved by four beautiful young women. That's not all the story is about, of course, but it's the part that often gets the spotlight. The 1986 version tackles other, more prominent aspects of the story - namely, patriotism, loyalty, love between brothers, friends, parents and child - and this is why the series is my absolute favorite HSDS adaptation, perhaps my favorite wuxia TV series adaptation ever.

Heaven Sword Dragon Saber is the third and final book in Jin Yong's Condor Trilogy, and the story takes place near the end of the Yuan Dynasty. The martial world, while battling against the Mongolian army, has also been in turmoil regarding two weapons called the Heaven Sword and the Dragon Saber. Whoever has these two weapons in their possession, it is said, will become the ruler of the world. The Heaven Sword belongs to the all-female Emei Sect, while the Dragon Saber is currently in the hands of Xie Xun, an elder from the Ming Clan, which is regarded by most of the martial world as an evil and unorthodox lot. Xie Xun's godson, Zhang Wuji, spends his early years avoiding people who try to pry the information on his godfather's whereabouts out of him. Growing into an adult, Zhang Wuji gradually discovers who he is as a person, pugilist, and patriot, while making his mark on the martial world.

What I like most about HSDS 1986 is that it doesn't focus too much on the main character, Zhang Wuji; it also gives plenty of attention to the other characters. The cast in general is very strong, thanks to the array of brilliant actors, something that wuxia TV series from the golden 80's is famous for: veterans like the fierce and charming Kenneth Tsang, the imposing Bai Fong, and the wonderfully versatile Wong Wanchoi, among others, are listed among the cast. The younger actors - mainly Tony Leung, Kitty Lai, and Sheren Teng - take up their individual gauntlets in a very capable manner, as well. As a result, main characters can freely let others steal the scene while being strongly portrayed characters in their own right. It's not a perfect series, of course; if you're not used to the indoor studios and sometimes garish and oddly sparkly costumes of the 80's, you might find the series visually jarring, but it's not a big deal in itself.

Tony Leung (Zhang Wuji)
As the open-minded, forgiving Zhang Wuji, Tony does a very decent job. His portrayal of Wuji during the various periods in his life is believable, the transition in between smoothly done. There are times when he is too withdrawn, but then again Wuji is a person who'd rather be left alone than become the champion of righteousness everybody counts on him to be.

Kitty Lai (Zhao Min)
Like Tony and Sheren, Kitty is reserved but spot-on in her acting, showing Zhao Min's practicality, mean streak, charm, sense of humor and intelligence with ease. Although her "sad" expressions make her seem too pitiful sometimes, she rarely forgets to show Zhao Min's strength of character. As a side note, Kitty is very handsome in a man's clothes, more attractive than when she's wearing a girl's costume.

Sheren Teng (Zhou Zhiruo)
Out of all Zhou Zhiruo actresses, Sheren is arguably the least pretty. She is, however, the best Zhiruo in my book: it's her excellently subtle expressions and the way she acts toward Wuji in their fond but uneasy relationship. Her Zhiruo is actually sympathetic, kind-hearted and likeable - if wily - in the beginning, and her transformation into a ruthless person, while not gradual, is still convincing.