The Assassin (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A swordsman is drawn from family duty into a solitary political mission against a surrendering premier during an age of war and transformation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Realm Under Qin Pressure

Qin's expansion divides the court between surrender and resistance. Nie Zheng is introduced as a swordsman living through a period of political and military transformation.

Key Events

• Qin Pressures Smaller States — Qin becomes the strongest power and demands territory from smaller states. Location: The realm
• Court Debate Begins — Han Kui and Yen Chung Tzu debate surrender and resistance to Qin. Characters: Premier Han Kui, Official Yen Chung Tzu Location: Court
• Alliance Proposal Rejected — The proposal for several states to resist Qin is dismissed as impractical. Characters: Premier Han Kui, Official Yen Chung Tzu Location: Court
• Nie Zheng Trains — Nie Zheng trains with the sword while discussing the changing age with his mother. Characters: Nie Zheng, Zheng's Mother Location: Training place
• Weapons And Customs Change — Old robes and bronze weapons give way to Hu-style clothing and iron blades. Characters: Nie Zheng, Zheng's Mother Location: Training place

Rebellion And Displacement

Rebellion brings fighting, flight, and family separation. Nie Zheng reunites with Xia Ying, while different people seek safety as troops approach.

Key Events

• Rebellion Erupts — Nie Zheng becomes involved in fighting rebels as social order breaks down. Characters: Nie Zheng, Xi Yuan, Xu Shi Location: Rebellion zone
• Companions Urged To Flee — Xi Yuan urges his companions to escape and meet again. Characters: Xi Yuan Location: Rebellion zone
• Families Gather Before Troops — Xu Shi helps gather family members before troops arrive. Characters: Xu Shi Location: Rebellion zone
• Nie Zheng Reunites With Xia Ying — Nie Zheng is reunited with Xia Ying during the upheaval. Characters: Nie Zheng, Xia Ying Location: War-torn settlement
• Family Members Flee — Nie Zheng's mother and sister leave for Qi while he plans to seek relatives in Han. Characters: Nie Zheng, Zheng's Mother Location: Roads from the conflict

The Warrior Is Chosen

After suppressing the rebellion, Nie Zheng escapes opponents and meets the fugitive Official Yen Chung Tzu. Their sworn-brother relationship develops around shared political danger.

Key Events

• Rebellion Suppressed — Nie Zheng distinguishes himself while suppressing the rebellion. Characters: Nie Zheng Location: Rebellion zone
• Du Po Targets Nie Zheng — Du Po and other opponents target Nie Zheng, but he escapes. Characters: Nie Zheng, Du Po Location: Aftermath of the rebellion
• Yen Recognizes Nie Zheng — Yen praises Nie Zheng's righteousness, courage, and filial devotion. Characters: Nie Zheng, Official Yen Chung Tzu Location: Han territory
• Yen Reveals His Flight — Yen reveals that he is a fugitive from Han. Characters: Official Yen Chung Tzu, Nie Zheng Location: Han territory
• Sworn Brotherhood Accepted — Yen asks Nie Zheng to become his sworn brother, and Nie Zheng accepts. Characters: Nie Zheng, Official Yen Chung Tzu Location: Han territory

Duty Beyond Family

Nie Zheng initially refuses to leave Zheng's Mother for a dangerous mission. Her death and his sister's marriage remove the responsibilities that hold him back.

Key Events

• Nie Zheng Chooses Filial Duty — Nie Zheng initially wishes to care for Zheng's Mother rather than undertake the mission. Characters: Nie Zheng, Official Yen Chung Tzu, Zheng's Mother Location: Nie Zheng's family setting
• Family Obligations End — After Zheng's Mother dies and his sister marries, Nie Zheng is free of those responsibilities. Characters: Nie Zheng, Zheng's Mother Location: Nie Zheng's family setting
• Assassination Plan Revealed — Yen explains that Han Kui plans to surrender territory and that only one man can act secretly. Characters: Nie Zheng, Official Yen Chung Tzu, Premier Han Kui Location: Han territory

The Concealed Approach

Yen reveals Han Kui's surrender plan and sends Nie Zheng to Han. Political executions intensify the danger before Nie Zheng enters an inn under a false identity.

Key Events

• Nie Zheng Accepts The Mission — Nie Zheng agrees to carry out the dangerous assassination mission in Han. Characters: Nie Zheng, Official Yen Chung Tzu Location: Han territory
• Journey To Han — Nie Zheng leaves for Han, accepting that escape may be impossible. Characters: Nie Zheng Location: Road to Han
• Yang Jian Protests Surrender — Yang Jian protests the proposed surrender of territory in Han. Characters: Yang Jian, Premier Han Kui Location: Han court
• Yang Jian Is Executed — Yang Jian is executed after protesting the proposed surrender. Characters: Yang Jian, General Lu Pen Location: Han
• Family Death Orders — General Lu Pen orders the deaths of Yang Jian's mother and sister-in-law. Characters: General Lu Pen, Yang Jian Location: Han
• Disguised Entry Into Inn — Nie Zheng enters an inn disguised as a Qin aristocrat while seeking access to Han Kui. Characters: Nie Zheng Location: Inn in Han
• Identity Concealed — Nie Zheng conceals his identity and searches for a way to approach the premier. Characters: Nie Zheng Location: Inn in Han
• Approach To The Premier — Nie Zheng's concealed approach brings him toward the intended target, Premier Han Kui. Characters: Nie Zheng, Premier Han Kui Location: Han

Story Breakdown

• Qin's Expanding Threat — Qin's territorial demands create a crisis for the smaller states and divide the political leadership.
  • Court Surrender Debate — Premier Han Kui and Official Yen Chung Tzu take opposing positions over how to respond to Qin.
  • Rejected State Alliance — The proposal for multiple states to resist Qin is dismissed as impractical.
• Nie Zheng's Formation — Nie Zheng is presented as a swordsman observing the transformation of society and warfare.
  • Sword Training — Nie Zheng trains with the sword while speaking with Zheng's Mother.
  • Changing Weapons — Bronze weapons and old robes give way to iron blades and Hu-style clothing.
• Rebellion And Flight — Rebellion disrupts ordinary life and forces people to escape before advancing troops.
  • Fighting The Rebels — Nie Zheng becomes involved in suppressing the rebellion.
  • Scattered Families — Xi Yuan urges escape, Xu Shi gathers family members, and Nie Zheng's family leaves for safety.
• A Warrior Pursued — Nie Zheng's success in the rebellion makes him a target for opponents.
  • Du Po's Pursuit — Du Po is among the opponents who target Nie Zheng after the rebellion.
  • Escape From Danger — Nie Zheng escapes the pursuit and remains available for a new political alliance.
• The Sworn Brotherhood — Official Yen Chung Tzu recruits Nie Zheng through recognition, confession, and a sworn-brother bond.
  • Yen's Revelation — Yen explains that he is a fugitive from Han.
  • A Dangerous Request — Yen asks Nie Zheng to accept a mission that may leave no possibility of escape.
• Filial Duty And Release — Nie Zheng's devotion to his family initially prevents him from acting, but circumstances eventually free him.
  • Caring For His Mother — Nie Zheng wishes to remain responsible for Zheng's Mother instead of immediately accepting the mission.
  • Mission Becomes Possible — After Zheng's Mother dies and his sister marries, Nie Zheng agrees to proceed.
• The Han Mission — Nie Zheng travels to Han to stop Premier Han Kui's planned surrender through a secret assassination.
  • Surrender Plot Exposed — Yen identifies Han Kui as the official preparing to surrender territory to Qin.
  • One Man's Resolve — Nie Zheng leaves for Han knowing that the mission may be impossible to survive.
• Repression In Han — Resistance to surrender is met with execution and orders against the families of dissenters.
  • Yang Jian Executed — Yang Jian protests the surrender and is executed.
  • Lu Pen's Death Orders — General Lu Pen orders the deaths of Yang Jian's mother and sister-in-law.
• The Disguised Approach — Nie Zheng conceals his identity in Han while seeking access to the premier.
  • Qin Aristocrat Disguise — Nie Zheng enters an inn disguised as a Qin aristocrat.
  • Toward Han Kui — He searches for a way to approach Premier Han Kui while maintaining his disguise.

Directed by

Chang Cheh

Key Cast

• Jimmy Wang Yu — Nie Zheng
• Lisa Chiao Chiao — Xia Ying
• Li Hsiang-Chun — Nie Rong
• Chiu Sam-Yin — Concubine Zhao
• Huang Tsung-Hsun — Premier Han Kui