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Product Description
In 370BC, China was separated by several small tribes, one of those being the city state of Liang. The nation of Zhao is led by the terrifying prime commander Xiang Yangzhong who orders his troops to launch an attack on Liang in a bid to conquer the small city. Leaping to the defence of the cowed people of Liang is a warrior who goes by the name of Ge Li from the Mo-Tsu tribe, renowned for its defensive skills. He is their last hope as the terrors of Yangshong's troops are unleashed. The future of Liang now hangs in the balance, with all their hopes pinned on the mysterious Mo-Tsu warrior Ge-Li...
Review
BATTLE OF WITS more than lives up to its title. An involving story of psychological warfare and military bluffs while still delivering the goods on the action front. Andy Lau in one of his best performances --Variety.com
EPIC ... like its Chinese brethren CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER and THE BANQUET --BeyondHollywood.com
EPIC ... like its Chinese brethren CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER and THE BANQUET --BeyondHollywood.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wasn't expecting much as the film has had little publicity, I was amazed at the scope and vision of the film. It is a real attempt to create a film about war and strategy which many Chinese war books talk about but rarely translates to the screen.
The tormented hero, the drunken selfish unforgiving King and the overpowering enemy, brilliant. I sat for the two hours straight through; it was very satisfying on many levels. I particularly liked the screen when the hero is invited to a game of strategy sitting on a hill between the two armies.
Great fun and something substantial to think about too, and at the price I bought it here for great value too.
The tormented hero, the drunken selfish unforgiving King and the overpowering enemy, brilliant. I sat for the two hours straight through; it was very satisfying on many levels. I particularly liked the screen when the hero is invited to a game of strategy sitting on a hill between the two armies.
Great fun and something substantial to think about too, and at the price I bought it here for great value too.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I really like this film.
It uses special effects, but to help with the story telling rather than just create pretty effects: to be honest I'm getting a little bored of some eastern films where inclusion of choreographed mid-air flights seem to have higher precedence to story telling.
More importantly: the story has a start, middle, and end; characters are three dimensional; and the plot kept me gripped.
The story plays like a good fantasy novel to me. In that vein, I think it is similar to The Warrior [DVD] [2001] which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Perhaps that explains the diversity of reviews it is getting here. If you bought this film expecting a martial arts film then I think you may well be disappointed. If on the other you are looking for a cinematic telling of a fantasy novel type story, then I think you'll enjoy this film.
In fact, I think film producers looking to turn fantasy novels into film should take a good look at 'Battle of Wits' and 'The Warrior', as I think they are excellent examples of how to do this with the story to the fore (rather than the special effects).
It uses special effects, but to help with the story telling rather than just create pretty effects: to be honest I'm getting a little bored of some eastern films where inclusion of choreographed mid-air flights seem to have higher precedence to story telling.
More importantly: the story has a start, middle, and end; characters are three dimensional; and the plot kept me gripped.
The story plays like a good fantasy novel to me. In that vein, I think it is similar to The Warrior [DVD] [2001] which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Perhaps that explains the diversity of reviews it is getting here. If you bought this film expecting a martial arts film then I think you may well be disappointed. If on the other you are looking for a cinematic telling of a fantasy novel type story, then I think you'll enjoy this film.
In fact, I think film producers looking to turn fantasy novels into film should take a good look at 'Battle of Wits' and 'The Warrior', as I think they are excellent examples of how to do this with the story to the fore (rather than the special effects).
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Like almost all the Chinese historical action dramas of recent years, Battle of Wits is sumptuously shot in gorgeous, riveting colour. The battle scenes are intense and (almost always) compelling, and the plot, based on a Japanese novel of the same name, is surprisingly complex, eschewing the grand sweeps of House of Flying Daggers, Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
However, the English subtitles are absolutely appalling, frequently failing to make much sense in English, and the cutting together of scenes is over-rapid and reflects video standards of thirty years ago, not the flawless visual brilliance we have come to expect from this kind of film.
I suspect this film was originally intended to be longer. It's especially at the beginning that shots are over-edited and cut together like a series of vignettes, with little continuity or explanation. As the film goes on, things settle down (or perhaps you just get used to it), although there are still plenty of unexplained moments which may or may not make sense in Chinese, but really don't through the subtitles. On the other hand, many of the subtitles are redundant, telling us what we are seeing on the screen (though this is what the characters are doing), when the glorious camera work is sufficient.
Why four stars, then? Despite all this, this is a really enjoyable film to watch, with a philosophic undercurrent (Mohism) which will be entirely new to most Westerners, although it was important in the time the film is set in. If you want to get a picture of what it's about, it's a sort of Last of the Mohicans meets Seven Samurai, although in a fully Chinese setting which is much more subtle, and carries a strong sense of history.... Read more ›
However, the English subtitles are absolutely appalling, frequently failing to make much sense in English, and the cutting together of scenes is over-rapid and reflects video standards of thirty years ago, not the flawless visual brilliance we have come to expect from this kind of film.
I suspect this film was originally intended to be longer. It's especially at the beginning that shots are over-edited and cut together like a series of vignettes, with little continuity or explanation. As the film goes on, things settle down (or perhaps you just get used to it), although there are still plenty of unexplained moments which may or may not make sense in Chinese, but really don't through the subtitles. On the other hand, many of the subtitles are redundant, telling us what we are seeing on the screen (though this is what the characters are doing), when the glorious camera work is sufficient.
Why four stars, then? Despite all this, this is a really enjoyable film to watch, with a philosophic undercurrent (Mohism) which will be entirely new to most Westerners, although it was important in the time the film is set in. If you want to get a picture of what it's about, it's a sort of Last of the Mohicans meets Seven Samurai, although in a fully Chinese setting which is much more subtle, and carries a strong sense of history.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having been somewhat disappointed with 'Three Kingdoms',which also stars Andy Lau,I had reduced expectations for this film which deals with a similar theme.
Well,'Battle of Wits' is in a different league.
An intelligent,literate,script,which allows actors to develop their characters,is alligned with spectacular battle scenes which are not allowed to overwhelm,and ruin,the storyline.
The only downside to this Blu-ray disc is the Picture Quality.
I don't know if it is a poor transfer,or the cinematography is deliberately muted,but the result is a softish image.
However,five stars for an excellent,spectacular,well acted film.
Well,'Battle of Wits' is in a different league.
An intelligent,literate,script,which allows actors to develop their characters,is alligned with spectacular battle scenes which are not allowed to overwhelm,and ruin,the storyline.
The only downside to this Blu-ray disc is the Picture Quality.
I don't know if it is a poor transfer,or the cinematography is deliberately muted,but the result is a softish image.
However,five stars for an excellent,spectacular,well acted film.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By pointone
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Battle Of Wits [2007] [DVD]
It is 370BC and the rulers of the Chinese city state of Liang are resigning themselves to surrendering to the impending attack by their enemies the Zhao.
Then a black clad figure Ge Li (Andy Lau) strides confidently out of the desert claiming to be from the Mo-Tsu tribe and promising to use their legendary defensive skills to repel the siege.
The plot switches between superb battle scenes, and intrigue and deception in the Liang court, confronting Ge Li with two battles of wits, one with the enemy without and another with the enemy within. Although Ge Li proves a superb military improviser and tactician, he also fights an internal battle between his military actions and his belief in peaceful conflict resolution.
I kept watching for GE Li's unending ingenuity in repelling the Zhao, but the plot seemed very routine and never gets off the ground, although this may be partially the fault of the sub titles. It would have been far more interesting if there had been a real personal animosity between the Zhao general Xiang Yangzhong and Ge Li, instead of just encapsulating it in mutual admiration over a board game.
So excellent siege scenes but little else to recommend "Battle of Wits", if it appeals to you definitely rent.
It is 370BC and the rulers of the Chinese city state of Liang are resigning themselves to surrendering to the impending attack by their enemies the Zhao.
Then a black clad figure Ge Li (Andy Lau) strides confidently out of the desert claiming to be from the Mo-Tsu tribe and promising to use their legendary defensive skills to repel the siege.
The plot switches between superb battle scenes, and intrigue and deception in the Liang court, confronting Ge Li with two battles of wits, one with the enemy without and another with the enemy within. Although Ge Li proves a superb military improviser and tactician, he also fights an internal battle between his military actions and his belief in peaceful conflict resolution.
I kept watching for GE Li's unending ingenuity in repelling the Zhao, but the plot seemed very routine and never gets off the ground, although this may be partially the fault of the sub titles. It would have been far more interesting if there had been a real personal animosity between the Zhao general Xiang Yangzhong and Ge Li, instead of just encapsulating it in mutual admiration over a board game.
So excellent siege scenes but little else to recommend "Battle of Wits", if it appeals to you definitely rent.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic film
The action is great, the acting is great and overall the photography is brilliant.watch if you can for swell balanced film
Published 19 days ago by stevedore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great flick
if you love epic action movies with amazing scenery and sets not to mention the battle scenes this is totally awesome well worth watching
Published 1 month ago by Cookie
5.0 out of 5 stars
great films
i like these style of films. scenery and the action are fabulous. actors have excellant skills. good to watch sometimes strange story lines well worth the money.
Published 19 months ago by D. Dixon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Film of aisian orogin
The film one of the trilogy is of samuri origin which shows the battles that took part in the era of the samurai very good worth watching
Published on 10 Jan 2011 by simon49
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very poor quality DVD
The story is ok but the quality of this DVD is substandard. The image is vague and looks more like a VHS that has been played a 100 times than a DVD. Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2010 by Rob
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Kingdoms This Ain't!!
Firstly I've got to disagree with Mr Maurice and state that Three Kingdoms - Resurrection Of The Dragon [DVD] [2008] was an excellent film, exactly what it said on the tin. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2010 by Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to win a battle in easy lessons
This is a film in the best tradition of war films. Exciting, well thought out, excellent acting and realistic battles. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2010 by Ann Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Battle of wits
This is a worth while buy for your blue ray collection, the colour and sound detail is very good, the film contains plenty of action.
Published on 9 May 2010 by John A. Dabson
3.0 out of 5 stars
True
Battle of Wits is a very well produced film, packed with actions, dramas and above all great characters. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by Teodoro Augusto Rodrigues
2.0 out of 5 stars
Battle of Wits ....but not fighting skills
I suppose I should have read the can. A film about a character who specialises in helping people defend themselves is not likely to have too many `one on one' fights set pieces,... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2010 by M. Woolston
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