The historical epic "Ho Linh Trang Si", written and directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, was conceived after he heard a story about the tomb of King Dinh Bo Linh. The film explores elements of historical fiction, narrating a story about individuals who prioritize national duty over personal gain, emphasizing courage and service to the country.

King Dinh Bo Linh and his generals in the film. Photo: Film crew provided

The production team views "Ho Linh Trang Si" as a test for producers in the historical epic genre, which demands a balance between factual material and imagination. The combat scenes presented one of the greatest challenges.

Johnny Tri Nguyen served as the action director, meticulously choreographing nearly 20 combat sequences that required high precision and realism. His goal was to make the film's action scenes reflect realistic combat rather than theatrical performance. "The strikes needed to be sharp, accurate, and suitable for a wartime setting, where martial arts served as a survival skill for the characters. Someone fighting out of hatred would strike differently from someone upholding justice. For me, the beauty of realistic martial arts lies in precision, not the number of moves," the artist explained.

The character An Nhien, portrayed by Tran Thien Tu, is the daughter of a general who harbored a passion for martial arts from a young age, aspiring to become a female warrior. Following her father's disappearance, she takes on his mission and encounters Nguyen Phong, played by Tuan Tran. Together, they pursue their ideals and develop a romantic relationship.

Neither Tran Thien Tu nor Tuan Tran had prior action film experience or martial arts background. To prepare for their roles, both actors spent about six months training with MMA fighters, familiarizing themselves with combat techniques and complex fight choreography. The actors focused on developing reflexes and mastering combat skills to create a convincing on-screen presence, rather than just learning specific moves for the camera.

Tuan Tran wields a long sword, while Tran Thien Tu's character fights with dual swords. Initially, Thien Tu practiced with each sword separately to adapt to its weight and technique before coordinating both hands.

To enhance realism, the crew crafted the main characters' weapons from titanium, ensuring appropriate weight and hardness. Many weapons were large, with King Dinh Bo Linh's halberd measuring over 3 meters long, requiring the actor to dedicate significant time to training to master movements and weapon control.

Several cast and crew members sustained injuries during filming. Tuan Tran suffered a ligament tear while performing a battle lasting over 10 minutes at the film's climax, where his character and An Nhien confront the main antagonist. Following the incident, the team adjusted and redesigned the martial arts sequences to accommodate his physical condition. Hien Ngo, who plays an assassin, endured multiple wrist injuries during training and filming, requiring ice packs and bandages to continue her work. Prior to filming, she spent considerable time practicing swordplay, from grip and movement to complex maneuvers requiring a combination of fluidity and strength.

The film crew utilized real horses on set. In some scenes, director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh mobilized about 40 horses simultaneously. After many hours of travel, some horses became exhausted, forcing the crew to pause for a few hours for their recovery. The sounds of drones, clashing swords, or sudden movements on set sometimes startled the horses. To acclimate them to people and keep them calm before the camera, actors spent time petting and playing with them, building a bond. On days when horses were unwell, actors had to practice imaginatively using motorcycles.

Actor Le Vu Long, who portrays King Dinh Bo Linh, had feared horses for many years after witnessing his father, artist Dung Nhi, suffer an accident on set. In 1983, while filming in Tay Bac, Dung Nhi was involved in a horse-riding incident when the animal unexpectedly panicked, lost control, crashed into a straw hut built by the crew, and threw him off. Despite his injuries, Dung Nhi held on.

This memory prevented Le Vu Long from practicing horse riding for many years. When he joined "Ho Linh Trang Si", he confronted his fear, spending many days familiarizing himself and training with the animals. Some days, the actor sat on horseback for 8 to 10 hours to complete scenes.

The initial version of the film was 155 minutes long. Following early screenings and audience feedback, the producers decided to replace it with a 135-minute cut, released on 30/8. The new version, edited by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh and film editor Ham Tran, focuses on shortening segments and moderating many details.

The film is set in 944, after Ngo Quyen's death, when the Ngo dynasty weakened and local factions rose to seize different territories. Dinh Bo Linh quelled these groups, unified the country, and ascended to the throne in 968. 11 years later, he was assassinated. Before his death, he left a secret edict regarding his burial to protect the secret of his resting place. Many troops were ordered to transport coffins in different directions, ensuring no one knew the true burial site of the king's remains.

From this historical event, "Ho Linh Trang Si" unfolds a story about those tasked with protecting the coffin and the secrets of the imperial court. This journey leads the characters through chases and conflicts, simultaneously presenting them with choices between personal feelings and their national responsibility.

Ha Thu