story
movie is based on the novel by Jin Yong(the alias the author goes by and better known by).
Just one of the 14 martial arts novel by this author. Fantasy martial art stories, with many many characters and complex story line. Characters relations are traceable from between the novels... it's amazing.
and it's so addictive that schools ban such novels believe it or not.
imagine lord of the rings times 14, from the same author... it's THAT huge, ask anyone who is familiar with Jin Yong's novels.