Summary
Although this Vietnamese Opera version of Luong Chuc is pale in comparison to HK 1962 "Love Eterne", it can still be considered as the best remake I have seen since the classic movie starred Ling Po & Le Di.

During the 4th Century in a little village of Southern China, there lives a maiden by the name of Chuc Anh Dai. As a daughter of a wealthy family, she is well-versed. Defies tradition and rebels against feudal prejudices that only accepted young men to be highly educated, Anh Dai is determined to attend a broading school. However, the cultural norm simple does not tolerate such liberal thinking and a fine lady of her status is to make no public appearances.

In order to convince her conservative father, Chuc Vien Ngoai, Anh Dai fakes illness and disguises herself as a male doctor. Successful at deceiving her father from recognizing his own daughter, Anh Dai receives permission to head off for the broading school in Hang Chau. Accompanying her is her personal servant, Ngan Tam.

Eighteen miles away from their destination, Anh Dai meets a fine young man by the name of Luong Son Ba and his servant, Tu Cuu. Through their causal conversation, the two find much in common. Son Ba quickly proposes the idea of them becoming sworn brothers to keep each other company during their years of studying.

Spending three years at school, Anh Dai's true identity remains unknown to her friend Son Ba. His honesty and 'quan tu' characteristic wins her heart as time passes by. However, Anh Dai can't bring herself to tell Son Ba the truth.

Their period of studying together comes to an end when Anh Dai is compelled by her father to return home. Prior to her departure, she meets with the headmaster's wife and reveals her true identity. She gives the headmaster's wife a butterfly jade and askes her to be the matchmaker.

Being a good friend, Son Ba does not mind the long trip and sees his friend down the mountain. During their eighteen miles of farewell, Anh Dai uses different subtle clues to hint about her identity. From the local scenery, to people, to animals, to objects she refers to them as a couple. However, the naive scholar still manages to miss every hints and even argues against Anh Dai by referring to her metaphors as nonsense. Given her unsuccessful attempts, she invents a sister, offers the sister's hand in marriage, and entreats Shanpo to visit the Chuc residence soon.

A good period of time passes by before Son Ba learns from the headmaster's wife that Anh Dai is actually a girl in disguise. Overjoy with the news, he rushes toward her hometown and asks for her hand in marriage. However, happiness turns into sorrow as he discovers that Anh Dai is soon to be wedded. Her father already betrothed her to Ma Van Tai, a powerful noble's son. Their reunion quickly turns into a miserable separation. In great sadness, the two meet with each other and lament their great misfortune. Upon his return home, Son Ba falls ill and in his great misery he passes away.

Anh Dai learns of the tragic news on her wedding day and refuses to step into the wedding carriage unless her father agrees for her to pay the old friend a visit at his grave. There, she bitterly condemns the feudal morality that has thwarted their love. Her words move heavens that clouds themselves shed tears at her grief. The earth beneath her cracks apart and splits open Son Ba's grave. The ill-fated Anh Dai commits suicide by jumping into the opened grave. Shortly after the storm, the pair of butterflies arises in the air. They flutter and dance side by side in the sky.

In the spiritual world, Luong Son Ba and Chuc Anh Dai are forever bonded by their eternal love.

Review
One of the good thing about this version is the consistent storyline. The script writer did not make any major changes to the movie. The film is short, sweet and to the point...just exactly like Ling Po's version.

The only disappointment is the ending. Due to the lack of advance technology, the director changed the ending by having Anh Dai kills herself in front of the Son Ba's grave. Based on the original folktale, her mourning and sadness shoke heaven and sky. It caused the grave to split open and she jumped in. If the ending were to be kept the same, then this version would have been even better.

Tai Linh's & Vu Linh's Performances
The performance from these two stars were not bad, not bad at all. Although it can't be compared to the stars in the HK 1960's version, Tai Linh and Vu Linh were the next two best Anh Dai and Son Ba I have seen.

With the high and strong opera voice, Tai Linh was able to bring chill toward the audience during the last few scenes of the movies. Her performance in the scene when Anh Dai demands three things from her father is quite memorable. Of course, the grave scene is unforgetable as well.

As for Vu Linh, he did a very good job as well. He was able to depict a naive Son Ba during the conversation with the teacher's wife. I would say his other memorable scenes are the visit to Anh Dai's house, and the part when he talked to his mother before dying. Not to irritate Vu Linh's fans, but if I were to choose, HK '60s Movie Queen Ivy Ling Po is still the best Liang Shanpo of all time. However, coming in second, I don't think Vu Linh would mind losing to his idol.

Overall, the songs, the singing, hand movements and body language in this movie could be very pleasing to the eyes of viewers. This is the version to search for if one can't locate Ling Po's film. Don't even bother with Lau Chung Yan's, Leung Siu Bing's or Phi Nhung's versions...they are simply pathetic.