Blades of the Guardians — the film Biao Ren: Feng Qi Da Mo
Blades of the Guardians: Feng Qi Da Mo (镖人：风起大漠) is the live-action adaptation of the manhua, directed by Yuen Woo-ping and produced by Wu Jing, who also plays Dao Ma. It was released in China on 17 February 2026, the first day of the Lunar New Year, the most hotly contested period at the Chinese box office.
Production and behind the scenes
Yuen Woo-ping is one of the greatest choreographers in the history of martial arts cinema, from Drunken Master to The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Wu Jing, star of Wolf Warrior and The Wandering Earth, signed on as producer and lead actor. The film follows the escort of Zhi Shilang to Chang'an at the end of the Sui, across the western deserts, as its subtitle suggests: "the wind rises over the desert".
How it differs from the donghua
The film condenses an arc of the manhua into a standalone story centred on the escort and the fights. It simplifies the manhua's political intrigue and many side characters. The longer donghua can develop the relationships between characters further, but the film clearly wins on choreography, crafted by a master of the genre.
Reception and success
Despite a criticised script, the film was praised for its action scenes. With more than 1.2 billion yuan at the Chinese box office, it became the highest-grossing wuxia film in the country's history and revived interest in the donghua, whose second season came out a few months later.
Trivia
- Yuen Woo-ping choreographed the fights in The Matrix (1999) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
- Wu Jing is both producer and the actor playing Dao Ma.
- The film opened on the first day of the 2026 Lunar New Year, 17 February.
- The subtitle Feng Qi Da Mo means "the wind rises over the great desert".
My take
Feng Qi Da Mo is worth watching for its fights, among the best in recent wuxia. Wu Jing is believable as Dao Ma, and the desert landscapes are superb. The script is weak and some characters from the manhua are sacrificed. But for fans of pure action, it is a treat.
Who is it for?Martial arts film fans, Wu Jing fans and anyone who wants to see Biao Ren in the flesh.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan