This period drama is based on a martial arts novel written by Louis Cha. Over the decades, it has been shown on television but each time acted by different casts. My favourite actor to portray Zhang Wuji, the hero, had always been Tony Liang Chao Wei who did so in 1986. Despite the many other actors to portray this character, no one had surpassed his portrayal, till Deng Chao in 2009.
The difference between these two portrayals is that the former portrayed the hero as an indecisive lover who smacked of innocence at the same time, while the latter portrayed the hero as a romantic lover. I guess the different eras also contributed to the ways the hero portrayed his love expressions. There was more boldness in his gestures when Deng Chao acted as the hero. He had more bodily contact with the actress who acted as his lover. With Tony Liang, the relationship was based more on tender smiles.
I stumbled upon the earlier version on a website and as I viewed the episodes, I realised that Tony Liang's portrayal did not appeal to me anymore. A new actor had taken over the throne of Zhang Wuji's portrayal in my mind.
Another form of comparison occurs pertaining to this drama too. The actresses portraying the four ladies in love with the hero also differ in terms of casts. I think the prettiest Xiao Zhao is the actress from the 2009 version, the prettiest Yin Li is the actress from the same version, the prettiest Zhao Min is the actress from the same version and the prettiest Zhou Zhiruo is the actress from the 1986 version. Therefore, it is apparent that I think the 2009 version is the best version of this drama.
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