Cast
Julian Cheung as Guo Jing (Quach Tinh)
Athena Chu as Huang Rong (Hoang Dung)
Gallen Lo as Yang Kang (Duong Khang)
Emily Kwan as Mu Nian Ci (Moc Niem Tu)
Introduction
This adaptation to Jing Yong's Condor Trilogy is that bad, although compared to TVB's 1982 adaptation of "Legend of the Condor Heroes," falls a bit short. The 1982 version, starring Felix Wong and Barbara Yung, is embedded into viewers eyes. No matter if this series portrayed the characters to perfection or not, the performance by Felix and Barbara can't be matched. TVB took a big step in reproducing LOCH, especially with a relatively unknown cast has stars. In this version, Julian Cheung plays Guo Jing and Athena Chu plays Huang Rong. Julian and Athena, although not completely new to the entertainment business, had a huge burden on their shoulders when they decided to play the parts. However, LOCH 1994 brought Julian and Athena some fame and jumpstarted their careers even though LOCH 1994 was a failure.
The cast
Julian did a great job in portraying Guo Jing. He was a lot better looking than Felix as Guo Jing allowing the younger audience to accept LOCH 1994 more than LOCH 1982. However, Julian did not seem dumb as Felix in the part of Guo Jing. I think it is probably his eyes or dimples that make Julian seem a little too smart to be Guo Jing. Athena had an even more difficult job in trying to out shine Barbara. I guess it is hard, since Barbara did such a great job as Huang Rong. Athena looked the part but she lacked chemistry with Guo Jing. Athena just didnt portray the playful Huang Rong in LOCH 1982. On the contrary, Athena and Julian did do a good job despite what critics have said about them. They had some chemistry and did do what they where told by the directors. The problem is that LOCH 1994 is much shorter than LOCH 1982. This did not allow character development of Julian and Athena. They rarely had many romantic scenes together like Barbara and Felix did. Although LOCH 1994 is much shorter, it sticks a lot closer to the book than LOCH 1982. The other cast members made the movie a failure due to too many miscast. Most characters were either too old or too young to play the part. The only notable character is the guy who played Chingis Khan. He looked the part and out shined the Chingis Khan in LOCH 1982.
The story
I don't really want to retell the story since LOCH is such a popular series. Most people already know the story so I wont summarize it. LOCH 1994 follows closer to the book than LOCH 1982 did. This makes the scenes move faster and the scenes don't drag too long as in LOCH 1982 with 59 episodes. Since the series is much shorter, it is hard for the main characters to develop and the audience has a harder time adjusting to the changes. Overall, the story is better than LOCH 1982, because it is shorter with 35 episodes.
Music and special effects
The theme songs of LOCH 1994 were not as good as LOCH 1982. They were boring and too sad to listen to. The special effects were of course better than the older version since technology changes, but this version did not have an adequate budget to work with. You will be disappointed because there are very few scenes with special effects.
Budget problems
There were many setbacks that made this version of LOCH fail to win viewers: low budgets, miscast, and criticisms before the series was even released. LOCH 1994 did not receive an adequate budget compared to LOCH 1982 and other TVB series. Most scenes in LOCH 1994 were at the same location. For example, the same outdoor background, where there is a very big tree, was used over and over again. All the boat scenes were on the same boat, making LOCH 1994 repetitive, since viewers see the same scenes over and over again. Budget problems caused meager artistic creativity for the costumes. If you notice carefully, Athena only has three or four different costumes: the pink one, the green one, and the beggar costume. You can also count the overcoat Julian gives Athena as the fourth one. Even worse, costume changes were half way through the series. Julian had more costumes than Athena because he keeps changing his overcoat. Other characters had one or at most two costumes; this just shows the low budget that TVB had to work with. Another setback was that the same city street was just over and over again, just a different angles. The special effects were okay, but of course there were only two or three scenes: Julian learning kung fu and the condors.
Miscasts
I didn't think Julian or Athena was miscast for their roles. They did a good job in doing what the director wanted them to do. The fault is of the other characters. Gallen Lo as Yang Kang was a miscast. He just didn't look the part especially since he didn't look like he was 20. Other miscast include the Four Weirds, Zhou Buo Tong, and Emily Kwan. The Four Weirds and Zhou Buo Tong were supposed to be much older but TVB just did not create that image.
Criticisms
Well, even before the series aired, LOCH 1994 had many criticisms. Critics kept on comparing it to Felix's and Barbara's performance. Critics did not allow LOCH 1994 to create its own image before criticizing it. Athena and Julian had a tough time matching up to Barbara's and Felix's performance. They did not have the same chemistry as Barbara and Felix did.
A little history
Chingis Khans real name is Temujin. Chingis was a small chief but rose into higher ranks and conquered the Steppes. The fictional character of Guo Jing was probably born around 1200-1205 AD. During this time, Guo Jing watched Chingis rise into the Great Khan of the Steppes before Guo Jing was 20 years old. Guo Jing becomes sworn brothers, andap, with Chingis youngest son Tolui. During the time of LOCH, Chingis did not attack China because he was busy regaining control. Near Chingis' death in 1227, were their campaigns to attack China. Guo Jing attends Chingis funeral and makes a pack with Tolui that China won't be attacked as long as Guo Jing and Tolui are andap. China holds on to most of its borders because of Guo Jing. In the second part of the Condor Trilogy, Return of the Condor Heroes, Kubilai Khan, son of Tolui, makes an appearance and takes over China at the end of the story.
(The actor who portrayed Tolui in LOCH 1994 plays Kubilai Khan in Return of the Condor Heroes 1995.)
Best supporting actor
? as Chingis Khan
Best supporting actress
None
Best villain
? as East Poisons nephew 
