House of Flying Daggers (2004)
In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
- Zhang Yimou
- Chang Xiaoyang
- Feng Li
- Bin Wang
- Zhang Yimou
Rating: 7.291/10 by 1619 users
Alternative Title:
House of the Flying Daggers - DE
House of Flying Daggers - GB
The House of Flying Daggers - US
La foresta dei pugnali volanti - IT
O Clã das Adagas Voadoras - BR
House of Flying Daggers - DK
La casa de las dagas voladoras - ES
Lentävien tikarien talo - FI
Shi mian mai fu - CN
Sap min maai fuk - HK
Shí Miàn Mái Fú - CN
จอมใจบ้านมีดบิน - TH
Дом летающих кинжалов - RU
연인 - KR
Shi mian mai fu - US
Le Secret des Poignards Volants - FR
Thập Diện Mai Phục - VN
LOVERS：2004 - JP
Country:
Australia
China
Hong Kong
United States of America
Language:
普通话
Runtime: 01 hour 59 minutes
Budget: $15,000,000
Revenue: $92,863,945
Plot Keyword: rebellion, martial arts, government, china, swordplay, tang dynasty, dagger, wuxia, 9th century
Though the story isn't really very strong here the combination of beautiful visual effects and precision martial arts makes for an enjoyable depiction of Chinese mystical intrigue. "Mei" (Ziyi Zhang) is a mute dancer who attracts the attention of police captain "Jin" (Takeshi Kaneshiro) after she is very nearly raped at the "Peony Palace". She is also arrested but he helps her escape and into the dense forest they head, pursued by the police and fearful of the eponymous freedom fighters who are rumoured to dwell deep amongst the tall bamboo. Of course, as they travel they begin to fall in love but he's not quite ready for the surprise she delivers nor for his response as he must make a choice between his heart and his loyalty. Meantime, there's the jealous "Leo" (Andy Lau) on the scene who is determined to see his love stays with him or nobody! It's the stylish and vibrant look of this adventure that helps it stand out. The perfect choreography of the dances and the combat scenes couples well with some impressive imagery that tests and provokes just about all of our senses as the mystery unravels as easily as the folds in her intricately woven gown. I was slightly disappointed by the denouement which I think might be testament to the performances from the two travellers who managed to ensure I cared what happened to them as they twisted and twirled their way through the imaginatively photographed trees. It certainly benefits from a big screen and from it's big audio, too.
