The Black Tavern (1972) Movie Script

Ladies and gentlemen, have a drink or two.
To keep you warm
in this kind of freezing weather.
Each of us have a different destiny.
I never worry about being poor,
but I do worry about an empty stomach.
Today we have a chance to gather here,
I'd like to do a small favour for you.
Are you interested to see
something priceless?
If you do.
Please listen to my story.
Yesterday I hit the road
after a few drinks, then...
suddenly it's dusk,
and I couldn't find a shelter.
I saw a tree by the road,
and I... climbed up.
I sat on the branch all night,
luckily I didn't fall.
I was resting but
I could hear the sounds of a cart.
A retired official is heading home,
with a full load.
To fix a wheel,
the servants moved a big chest down.
The old master checked the items inside.
On the tree I saw everything
and screamed, "Oh, dear!"
What did you see?
I had never seen any of those all my life.
Corals, agate, diamond phoenix,
emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,
cat's eye stones the size of a fist.
Stacks of pearls, golden dragon...
each item priceless.
I was stunned.
This rich man is heading south,
he's easy to rob.
Freeze.
Get out!
Hurry!
Damn it! Come on!
Faster!
Run! Move aside.
Thank you for your help, hero.
My pleasure...
where are you heading to, mister?
We're heading to Shepherd's Gulley.
I'm going that way too.
Great, then me and my daughter
would feel very safe on the road.
If you don't mind,
I'd be traveling with you.
Back to the cart.
Hero, please.
Please.
"Gao Family Inn"
Doggie, get me some hot water.
I've just brought you fresh water
a while ago.
Skunk, let me give you something smelly.
You're teasing him again?
He started it.
Are you sure? With the way you look?
Go to hell.
There's no sign of anyone outside,
why bother making the buns?
It's snowing.
It's expected.
I doubt we'd have any business
in this kind of weather.
It's about time you learnt something
about our business
This is the perfect weather
to make some cash.
Listen... I think we have guests.
Allow me... it's warm inside, welcome.
Please.
Please have a seat.
You've company?
No. Do you sell steamed buns?
Yes.
Buns made with human flesh.
You must be kidding, sir. Human flesh?
Would be ajoke if
Gao Family Inn didn't sell those.
What do you mean?
What are you trying to say?
How can we run the business if you say so?
Then let me do it.
The Gao Family Inn has always
taken care of our guests.
Ten taels of silver for you on the road,
keep it.
Tigress, have some respect.
I fail to recognise a great person.
Oh, it's Master Liu Tong the Iron Arm.
Sorry about that.
How did you know?
I'm impressed.
You're after all the famous
Iron Arm.
Doggie, prepare some dishes,
let's have a welcome meal for Master Liu.
Yes.
Come on, San Niang.
Have a seat...
San Niang, come on.
Let's toast to Master Liu.
We need Master Liu's help from now on.
Yes, we do.
Guess what I'm doing here in this weather?
Let's have a drink first.
A big transaction.
Big transaction?
We don't do business
outside the inn, you would know.
If it's outside, why would I be here?
They'll definitely come here to stay.
What kind of weather is this?
When will they get here?
After dawn.
Gao Sanfeng, let me be frank with you,
we'll split the profit afterwards.
You're asking for?
Fifty fifty.
Fifty for yourself?
What?
We're friends here...
We'll listen to Master Liu.
Alright, who's coming?
Hai Gangfeng.
Hai Gangfeng?
I heard he's a poor official.
Not at all.
He's carrying a box of stuff
accepted as bribes.
You'll be stunned if you know the details.
What kind of treasures?
Corals, agate, diamond phoenix,
emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,
cat's eye stones the size of a fist.
Stacks of pearls, golden dragon.
Let me help you, sir.
Sir, lady, welcome.
Good day.
It's windy outside, please come in.
Please.
Welcome, this way please.
Please...
Please sit down.
Please.
Do you have rooms?
Yes...
We'll take two rooms.
Certainly.
Jinghong.
Here.
Accompany the lady to the room.
Yes.
Ladies, follow me please.
Should we carry the box upstairs, master?
Sure.
May we ask your name, sir?
My surname is Hai.
Mr. Hai.
Mr. Hai, what can we do for you?
I'm tired, I just need some rest.
Bring a pot of good tea into my room.
Right away...
Do you know Hai Gangfeng?
I haven't seen him before.
Something's wrong
His internal power is so great, who's he?
Could he be the wicked man?
Who?
Zheng Shoushan, the Whipmaster.
Him?
Bingo.
Who are you? What plans do you have?
Speak up.
Jinglu, we're in an inn run by brigands.
Brigands?
The Gao Family Inn has always
taken care of our guests.
And you're our special guest.
We wouldn't dare to try anything funny.
I guess you're thinking differently.
You think I'm Hai Gangfeng?
Hai Gangfeng? Who's that?
I have no idea.
Are you sure you are not
aware of such a piece of information?
Hai Gangfeng is retiring
to his home village,
he's brought with him
a chest of valuables,
he's about to reach this inn.
So you're interested in this robbery.
Very well, we'll be glad to serve you.
We should.
Opportunists.
But you can talk,
how could I trust you?
Catch!
Damn it! Liu Tong.
You've done so much harm.
I'm risking it all. Kill!
Let's take a look in the kitchen.
Sure.
My dear.
Oh, you're the Whipmaster Zheng Shoushan.
You could've chosen the easy way.
But then... you did it the hard way.
What do you want?
I'm interested to be a part of it.
How?
With this.
Master, he's helped us earlier,
let him join us.
What do you think?
Then...
I'm just trying to repay you.
Repay me?
Yes.
Very well, only because it's you.
Look.
North westerly wind blowing in.
A flower blooms for the right man.
She's laughing away,
I wonder what's on her mind.
I think she's in love.
Shut up, you two!
Where do you think you can run?
"Lust could kill"
I'm just singing a tune,
what's the big deal?
So unreasonable.
Apologise.
We have a guest.
Wandering around as time passes.
A slave back then,
now I know the perks of being a monk
When trying to marry,
I was told all wives are monsters
I'm insulted that I'm nothing
and I wouldn't retaliate
I take no notice of the people,
I'm still just being me
No one bothers me all day,
I've no worry or concerns.
Wandering around as time passes.
I realise there's only boredom;
only dirt when I awake.
Freeze.
What are you doing here?
Trying to beg alms in this snowy weather.
Begging alms?
You should have asked for my permission.
Didn't see you.
No? Can't you see me?
For Buddha's sake, stop this.
Leave...
we don't do any business with monks.
There isn't any other inn around,
where could I go?
I don't care.
Hey you! Stand still
Don't you know the rules?
Very well...
Is it alright if I rest here?
You can't beg from our guests.
Alright.
And... don't make a sound.
That's hard, listen.
Guess I'd need at least 20 buns
to make this stop.
Twenty buns?
Yes, not one less.
Wait here.
Fine.
Jinghu, who's there?
A poor monk.
Come upstairs.
I made these poison gas bombs, look.
Yes.
Come here.
What's the smell?
People will faint when they smell it.
Here's the antidote.
3 pills when you're using the bomb
or you'll faint along with the enemy.
Jinghong, you and Jing Hu
are in charge of this.
Be careful.
Yes.
Master, it's getting late.
Jinghu, are you certain?
Sure, don't worry.
I saw that they left San Yang County
this morning,
and headed this way. So I followed them.
I'm here to report
because they will pass here.
Master,
why did you pretend to be Official Hai?
From early on I saw them acting strange
that's why I tried to test them.
Who would have thought?
How can I let them go?
In that case, I've got the upper hand.
You should thank Jinglu.
Someone's outside.
Careful.
Damn it! You again? Beat it!
I can't! I'm really starving!
Tell him to come in.
Yes.
The master asks you to come in.
Thanks.
Hello, benefactor.
Help yourself.
Let me go!
Jinghu.
Here.
He can have those buns.
Yes.
Here you go.
Leave now!
Please go to another inn, buddy.
Another inn? Is there another house
within 20 miles from here?
I travel a lot,
and I've been staying here many times.
What? Is there a new owner?
No...
I just don't want to scare the guests.
How's that possible? Look.
You!
Strange! The lady boss
seems to be younger than before!
She's the lady boss' younger sister!
No wonder.
What would you like to order?
The usual.
But I'm new here.
Silly me.
It's not your fault,
we hit it off right away.
Wine, a dish of beef, ten steamed buns.
Waiter.
I want another pot of heated wine.
"Drug him"
Right away.
Oh no! The zombies have come alive!
Oh no! The zombies have come alive!
What's going on?
Zombies are alive.
Mind your tongue, monk!
You don't believe me?
Look!
Oh no! The zombies have come alive!
I was in a rush
and forgot to use the spell.
Come on! Pretending to be zombies
guarding the door,
you would have an advantage
if someone rich arrives.
What are you talking about?
I don't understand.
Come on, buddy.
Your cover's blown, stop the act.
You can forget about
your cunning plan now.
I recognise you,
the "Five Ghosts of Xiang Xi".
Trying to make some cash here?
What if we are?
Then you must die.
We're here, sir.
You've had a long trip, sir.
Lead the way.
This way please.
Who are they?
Robbers.
You're lucky that
you didn't arrive sooner.
If not for this hero,
my daughter and I would be dead.
Please.
Please.
And your name is?
Zha Xiaoyu. And yourself, sir?
I'm Hai Gangfeng.
Oh, it's Official Hai. What a pleasure.
And your name sir?
I'm Li Xiufu, please have a seat.
Official Hai
Innkeeper
Here.
You should report the incident
to the officials.
Certainly... but it's a long way,
it's late and it's snowing,
I'll report it
the first thing tomorrow morning.
Jinghong.
Here.
Go and help the inn owner.
Yes.
And she is?
My daughter Jinghong.
Come here and greet the official.
Nice to meet you, Official Hai.
Very well.
You can go now.
Traveling in this kind of weather,
you must have something important
to deal with.
Not really,
the wicked officials are in power,
I'm retiring to the countryside
as a farmer.
You have any rooms?
For how many guests?
Just one.
Follow me please.
This way.
Old Zhang,
pull the cart into the courtyard.
Should I carry the chest inside?
No need. I mean,
since we're staying for a short time.
You just rest in the cart.
What are you doing?
Freeze.
Old Zhang.
It's you again!
The gods have the virtue of sparing life,
and you had to come here to die.
Don't worry,
Swordsman Zha has killed two robbers.
Are you carrying something valuable?
Me? No.
That's strange.
Would the robbers be interested in me?
Innkeeper.
Here.
Bring some hot tea here.
Sure.
Carry Old Zhang into the cart,
Drag the cart into the courtyard.
Yes.
Do you know them?
No.
Your master is a prominent figure
in the mobster world.
You must know them.
Who are they?
Cao Hu (Tiger), Cao Bao (Leopard),
Cao Xiong (Bear).
Also known as the Three Headed Cobra.
Five Ghosts of Xiang Xi!
You two take care of Old Zhang,
I'll report to the old master.
Yes.
Welcome! Please have a seat...
What would you like to order?
Bring your best dishes here.
Yes.
Make it quick.
What else do you need?
Sir, Old Zhang...
I know.
Swordsman Zha, thank you for your help.
You're very welcome.
Please sit down.
Thank you.
How's Old Zhang?
Seriously wounded,
dressing the wound right now.
Don't worry about me,
go and take care of Old Zhang.
Yes, master.
It's impressive that this inn has so many
guests in this kind of weather.
Are you here for a meal or a drink, sir?
Aren't you the student of
Whipmaster Zheng Shoushan?
Have you changed trades?
Student? I think you've mistaken me
for someone else.
Is that so? Let me take a closer look.
Who's he?
He seems too crazy to be a decent man.
Come on, lady. Bring me the wine.
Coming.
Waiter, is this wine doped?
Sir, it's impossible for us
to do such dreadful things.
And this isn't an inn run by brigands?
We've been around for many years,
how's that possible?
Brother Hu.
Please.
Please.
This will be an interesting evening.
Jinghong, go upstairs and get my medicine.
It's time for the medicine.
Yes.
You're sick?
Rheumatism.
Well, it's the disease of old folk.
Old man's disease.
Hey, you still haven't paid.
And you think you can run off
just like this?
Is this yours?
It's mine when I've set my eyes on it.
Jinghong, where are the poison gas bombs?
Gone.
Master, what should we do with
Hai Gangfeng?
We must kill him now.
There's a female guest upstairs.
Kill them all.
Don't leave anyone alive.
Jinghu.
Here.
Move the box inside.
We'll leave
once we've taken care of everything.
Yes.
He's still alive.
I won't let you hurt him.
You don't understand, pal.
It's trouble to let him live
Go upstairs!
Yes.
Li Xiufu!
I didn't expect you to really be a killer
and a robber.
You were quite convincing.
What are you two doing over there?
Kill them!
Yes.
Lady Hermit?
Zhang Caibing, a student of Lady Hermit.
You shouldn't have
poked your nose into this.
Then you shouldn't have done
so many evil deeds!
You're a crafty old fox,
but you are tricked this time.
Open the box.
So that at least you'll understand
even if you're to die.
Open it.
Haven't you thought about it?
Official Hai is honest.
How can he possess
a chest full of accepted bribes?
It's easy enough to trick
you bunch of robbers,
because you're all very greedy.
So it's your plan all along!
You scum of the martial arts world!
I've been trying to get rid of you all
for ages.
Idiot.
Zha Xiaoyu, why aren't you helping?
If I do, that would ruin
your master's reputation.
Jinghong, where are the poison gas bombs?
Gone.
I've got it.
Zheng Shoushan, you're a smart man;
Too bad you choose to travel
on the dark path.
What do you mean?
Don't you get it?
Jinglu, he's not a good person,
you're tricked.
And you call yourselves good people
by killing,
robbing and committing arson?
Jinghu.
Taian, tie them up.
Yes.
Why are you leaving?
It was a scary night,
I don't want to stay here anymore
Let's go.
Have some tea.
Please.
Official.
You're officers of the law,
why can't you take care of this?
Goodbye, sir.
Goodbye.
Thank you for your help.
I hope to see you again.
I spread the word that
you're carrying a box of bribes.
I'm sorry to have
ruined your reputation, Official Hai.
I'm impressed with your good plan.
It worked out well.
Goodbye.