The release of Tsui Hark’s debut feature film The Butterfly Murders in July 1979 marked the birth of the Hong Kong New Wave. Through the first-person account of Fong (Lau Siu Ming)—a scholar who cannot draw a sword but can certainly wield a pen—the film follows his investigation into a series of mysterious murders in the wuxia world committed by killer butterflies. He encounters Tien Fung (Jimmy Wong Shee-tong), the leader of the Ten Flags, and the Green Shadow (Michelle Yim) at Shum Castle, where the master (Chang Kuo-Chu) becomes the next killing target.

The film opens a ‘new era of the wuxia world’, depicting the chaotic times with a pioneering spirit. While the blend of suspense and mystery is not unusual, the film is innovative in its unconventional portrayal of martial arts, utilising mechanical props—such as grappling hooks, springs, armour, gunpowder, and hidden weapons—to offer a ‘scientific’ and rational explanation for various techniques. From the enigmatic beginning and atmosphere to the intense battles once the conspiracy is brought to light, Tsui films these sequences in a way that is both unique and realistic, impressing the audience with rich imagery and unparalleled thrills.

The restoration was made using the original 35mm picture and sound negatives preserved at the Hong Kong Film Archive, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, as well as the 35mm print preserved at the BFI National Archive. The film elements were digitally transferred at Imagica Entertainment Media Services, L’Immagine Ritrovata, and Silver Salt Restoration respectively. The digital restoration was undertaken at Imagica Entertainment Media Services.

The Butterfly Murders is one of the films under M+ Restored, an initiative supported by CHANEL.

Tsui Hark (b. 1951, Vietnam) completed his high school education in Hong Kong. He then moved to the United States, where he graduated from the film programme at the University of Texas in Austin. Upon his return to Hong Kong, he directed The Gold Dagger Romance (1978) at Commercial Television. The Butterfly Murders, Tsui’s feature film directorial debut, was hailed as one of the early examples of the Hong Kong New Wave. Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind (1980) faced censorship from the colonial government for its uncompromising vision. Tsui would break new ground with Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) by introducing Hollywood special effects to the wuxia genre.

In 1984, he and Nansun Shi founded Film Workshop, which launched with the critically acclaimed Shanghai Blues (1984). Tsui and his company found much success in several popular long-running film series, including A Chinese Ghost Story (1987–1991), The Swordsman (1990–1993), Once Upon a Time in China (1991–1997), and the Detective Dee (2010–2018). In a career spanning over four decades, Tsui has not stopped seeking breakthroughs as a director, writer, and producer. His latest work is Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025).