This counts in my all-time top 5 films. It is simply divine.
Directed by Ang Lee, of such previous outings as Sense and Sensibility and The Ice Storm, CTHD (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Chinese title of Wo hu zang long) is a magnificent martial arts film with a good dose of sentimentality and characterisation thrown in for good measure. The film is in the Hong Kong style of Martial arts (but utilises a gentler form of Kung Fu than the films of say Jackie Chan and Jet Li) but raises it to a new level. Previously such films have been either pure action or action-comedy. This film is much more.
The plot begins with the delivery of a sword to a nobleman, and its subsequent theft by the notorious Jade Fox. Li Mu Bai (previous owner of the sword) and Shu Lien (his unrequited love) then proceed to investigate and search for the thief, and therefrom begins the most exquisite of all films.
The film is in the original Cantonese, subtitled in English, but this does not denigrate it in any way. Hearing the speech of the characters in their own language only added to the beauty and authenticity. The soundtrack, written by Tan Dun, is possibly the most astounding soundtrack I have ever heard. Combined with the visuals, it overwhelms the senses like a concerto of sunbeams.
Ang Lee says that he had wanted to make a martial arts film for a long time, and it is a very good thing he did. There is no moment in the film that is not filled with beauty and heart-wrenching sentiment, and, although I felt the film perhaps lost its way slightly towards the end, it will remain a magnificent piece for a very long time.
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Production Year: 2003 - Martial Arts - Director: Paul Hunter - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scott, James King, Karel Roden
Production Year: 1972 - Martial Arts - Director: Bruce Lee - Original Language: English\Cantonese\Chinese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Jon T. Benn
Production Year: 1991 - Martial Arts - Director: Tsui Hark - Original Language: Cantonese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Donnie Yen, Jet Lee, Rosamund Kwan, Yuen Biao, Mok Sui Chung
Production Year: 1981 - Martial Arts - Director: Kenji Misumi, Robert Houston - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama
Martial Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Sho Kosugi, James Ryan, Jim Kelly, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bolo Yeung, Christopher Lee
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragonis so many things: an historical epic on a grand scale, an ... more
Asian martial-arts flick with both great effectsandfantastic fighting (choreographed byThe Matrix's guru Yuen Wo Ping), a story of magic, revenge and power played w...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragonis so many things: an historical epic on a grand scale, an ... more
Asian martial-arts flick with both great effectsandfantastic fighting (choreographed byThe Matrix's guru Yuen Wo Ping), a story of magic, revenge and power played w...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Amazing martial arts fighting sequences (choreographed by Yuen wo Ping - The Matrix) ... more
stunning special effects action adventure and romance have made Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon the most talked about movie of the year. Martial arts masters Li Mu B...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
In the most-talked about movie of the year, Director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility) ... more
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![Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 9th, 2001
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