Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Daoming, Donnie Yen

Directed By: Zhang Yimou

Zhang Yimou needed a magical narrative structure in order to bring the audience back to the Maritail structure. He took a story and weaved it into the structure of the martial art form. The film is a fine representation of the history of China. It adds the right amount of culture into the story to make this one really endearing.

The film follows a non linear path by having Jet Li narrating the stories of how he executed the assasinations of four great warriors. The film subjects deals with the story telling of both the The nameless warrior and the emperor. There is a conflict between the two stories that leave us with three points of view. This is what creates the structure of the whole film. The films boasts of stellar cast comprising some of my favorites Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi. The beauty of this film is that all these actors attempt all their stunts.

The film is filled with images of extraordinary beauty. Some of them include the still waters, the flying golden leaves, The changing of colours to accomodate the mood and texture of the story and the fight after the chess game. These are some of the moments that will remain etched in our memories. The story is not halted by the fight sequence but rather it aids in the development of story and character. The directors biggest challenge is to have all these equations in play.

This was the first action fillm attempted by the director Zhang Yimou. So his lack of understanding of the genre is what gives this film a fresh new outlook. The whole film works with colors to create the right mood and development of the character. There are sword fights fought for the struggle of ones conscience. For instance the one at the lake takes us through a very bitter emotional journey. But the beauty of this scene is in making these two characters Broken Sword and Nameless look like birds floating on the water.

The action sequences are taken to another level by the choreographer. He turns the non martial artists into fine fighters. The fights that are choreographed on them make them look far superior to some of the Jet Li fights. But Jet Li takes this movie on his shoulders giving some of the best fight sequences in the history of cinema.

But this film doesnt just offer us with action alone. It send a subliminal message of peace with just two words “Our Land”. The film talks about a semi fictional unification of China with some very strong ideals of righteousness and conquest. There is also the sacrificing of ones body for the accomplishment of the ideal. This is certainly a memorable film even though it is filled with magical fights. It gives serious competition for Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

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