House of Flying Daggers (2004)

A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writers:

Feng Li, Bin Wang

Stars:

Ziyi Zhang, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 60 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takeshi Kaneshiro	...	Jin
Andy Lau	...	Leo
Ziyi Zhang	...	Xiao Mei (as Zhang Ziyi)
Dandan Song	...	Yee
Hongfei Zhao	...	Performer
Jun Guo	...	Performer
Shu Zhang	...	Performer
Jiusheng Wang	...	Performer
Zhengyong Zhang	...	Performer
Yongxin Wang	...	Performer
Dong Liu	...	Performer
Qi Zi	...	Performer
Xuedong Qu	...	Performer
Liping Tian	...	Performer
Hongwei Zhao	...	Performer

Storyline

During the reign of the Tang dynasty in China, a secret organization called "The House of the Flying Daggers" rises and opposes the government. A police officer called Leo sends officer Jin to investigate a young dancer named Mei, claiming that she has ties to the "Flying Daggers". Leo arrests Mei, only to have Jin breaking her free in a plot to gain her trust and lead the police to the new leader of the secret organization. But things are far more complicated than they seem...

---

Plot Keywords:

government | flying | police | flying dagger | secret | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sequences of stylized martial arts violence, and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Bim Distribuzione [Italy] Edko Filims Limited (Chinese, Englsh) [Hong Kong]

Country:

China Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

House of Flying Daggers

Filming Locations:

Beijing, China

Box Office

Budget:

CNY 100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$892,536 (Hong Kong) (16 July 2004)

Gross:

$11,041,228 (USA) (1 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing New Picture Film Co., China Film Co-Production Corporation, Edko Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The literal English translation of the Chinese title is "Ambushed From Ten Directions".

---

Goofs

During the fight in the snow, the dagger dangling in Leo's back is an obvious rubber prop.

---

Quotes

Jin: You're right. If I won, I wouldn't let you go.

---

Crazy Credits

In Memory of Anita Mui 1963-2003

---

Connections

Referenced in Estrenos Críticos: (Piloto) Bestezuelas, Piratas del Caribe 4... (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Lovers
Music and lyrics by Shigeru Umebayashi
Performed by Kathleen Battle
Played during the closing credits

User Reviews

The Colors of wind are the thoughts of the heart

From Yimou Zhang, the director of Jet Li's Hero and Raise the Red Lantern, comes a spectacular tale about honor, and love.

House of Flying Daggers is the gripping, touching, and visually spectacular tale of two people, caught in a Romeo and Juliet story, and the nation at war they must fight together.

It is near the end of the Tang Dynasty era, and The Captain Jin (Kaneshiro) and Leo (Lau) tangle with Mei (Zhang), a dancer suspected of having ties to a revolutionary faction known as the House of Flying Daggers. Enraptured by her, the deputies concoct a plan to save her from capture, and Jin leads her north in what becomes a perilous journey into the unknown.

The dialogue, beautifully bright costumes, and landscapes will take you on a wonderful journey. A journey of dance, music, and beautiful words.