I don't know how many times all together remaking this story. My favorite is still the Hongkong version remake in the 1970 or 1980, they are classic because they cast the perfect actors for the job. As a big fan of Jin Yong, I graded 10 for synopsis and the screenwriters do good job on dialog and pretty consistent with storyline in the book. This is the beginning of trilogy remarkable classic Jin Yong's novel. I can basically map it out what the next scenes based on the novel, although it's pretty outdated (Jin Yong wrote it in 1957) I like this one better than previous Chinese version but fighting choreography isn't good.

I think the young actors who play Guo Jing and Huang Rong are cute together. Although Guo Jing is pretty slow intellectually and average looking, he's honest innocent loyal kind-heart and hard work that makes Huang Rong loves him to no end. Huang Rong is the kind of daddy girl who has photographic memory, very intelligent, inheriting deviousness from her father, young beauty, carefree and a happy girl. Her intelligent help Guo Jin in so many level, solve many difficulties; from securing a teacher, help him in Mongolia against Ouyang Feng, up assist to defending the border while she's pregnant. Their relationship wasn't all smooth ride; from family disapproval, strain of two different up-bringing, heart broken in misunderstanding, & war.

Wanyan Kang/Yang Kang in the other hand is a malicious malignant evil man. He compared ragged poor honest patriotic biological father with his richly ambitious Jin adoptive father, he'd rather be a traitor to his Han bloodline than live in poor and disrespected. His relationship to Mu Nian Ci resulted in a baby boy name Yang Guo (Main character on next novel the Return of Condor Heroes), Wanyan Kang killed Ouyang Ke just to be Ouyang Feng apprentice. He died from Ouyang Feng residual poison when he attacks Huang Rong, a dramatic dying for the treacherous man; abandon, unloved, painful & sad death. At the end of chapter, Mu Nian Ci would handed their little boy Yang Guo to Guo Jing and Huang Rong to be adopted before she died. Which they both raise young Guo Yang in strict discipline and moral code, not to grow up like his father.

5 Grand masters; Ouyang Feng, Huang Yao Shi, Zhou Bo Tong, Hong Qi Gong, Duan Zhi Xing here are all looking young and handsome. As far the characteristic in the book they're all in their 60th or 70th with grey hair. Ouyang Feng is poisonous ruthless senile evil man who'll end-up insane because of self-teaching from fake Jiu Yin Manual Guo Jing wrote (ep 16). Huang Yao Shi will finally bless Huang Rong to marry Guo Jing and leave the island for the couple. Hong Qi Gong will travel and spend time in Palace's kitchen to steal more delicious foods. Childish carefree Zhao Bo Tong will live together blissfully happy with the woman who loved him. Kind His Royal Highness Duan Zhi Xing live secluded as a monk together with remorseful repentant Qiu Qian Ren turned-monk. Guo Jing last surviving blind teacher would live with them in Peach Blossom island to retire. I could't believe I still remember all that after many years...