- Actors: Li Gong, Fengyi Zhang, Zhou Sun, Xiaohe Lü, Zhiwen Wang
- Directors: Kaige Chen
- Writers: Kaige Chen, Peigong Wang
- Producers: Kaige Chen, Bai Yu, Hiromitsu Furukawa, Philip Lee, Sanping Han
- Format: PAL
- Language Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 11 Feb 2002
- Run Time: 155 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005R0CX
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 34,932 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Set in 221 BC, The Emperor and the Assassin tells of Ying Zheng (Li Xuejian) and his obsession to unite seven Chinese kingdoms and become the first Emperor of China. The film mixes spectacular battle scenes with court intrigue, counterpointed by the King's complex relationship with the only woman he has truly loved, the Lady Zhao (Gong Li). From protocol-ridden palaces to wide open grasslands, this is a visually striking film, both beautiful and at the same time burdened with the horrors of the period.
Though this was the most expensive film ever made in China, director Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine) nevertheless retains a tight reign on character and psychology, recalling Kurosawa's Ran (1985) and Kagemusha (1980). The cast, particularly the two leads, are magnificent and both production design and score are first rate. While the unfolding story has similar appeal to Gladiator and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it can be as confusing and jarringly edited as the original (pre-director's cut) version of The Last Emperor (1987), and for the same reason--despite its 154 minutes--the film was cut by approximately 30 minutes prior to release. The full version may eventually reveal a masterpiece, though in its present form it is still an exceptionally powerful and compelling drama.
On the DVD: The Emperor and the Assassin’s original 1.85:1 image is transferred anamorphically, and while not up with the finest DVDs is still sharp and detailed. Strangely, despite the film being presented in DTS theatrically, the DVD offers mere three-channel Dolby Pro-Logic. No more than adequate, this is a serious disappointment when at least Dolby Digital 5.1 would be the accepted norm. The film can be watched with the original Mandarin soundtrack, with or without English subtitles, or dubbed into English. The extras are a 4:3 trailer and a serious, comprehensive commentary by director Chen Kaige. For anyone wanting to know how to mount such a large-scale production, there can be few better guides than Kaige.--Gary S. Dalkin
DVD Description
DVD Special Features:
Director's Commentary
Filmographies
Trailer
Languages in Dolby Digital Surround: Mandarin, English
Subtitles: English
1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is not only a thought provoking historical epic on a grand scale, but also an extremely engaging political thriller.
It tells the story af a king in ancient China and his struggle to unite the country into one unified kingdom. As well as epic battles the film focuses on his personal relationships, with other rulers and members of his own household, and how they are worked out in true Macchiavellian style. If you have read and appreciated Sun Tzu's "the art of war" then watch this film.
In the finest traditions of "Ben Hur" it literally has a "cast of thousands," a welcome relief in the age of computer graphics. The (infrequent) battle scenes are truly awesome.
I do not think it would be too inappropriate to compare the story to the finest shakespeare plays in terms of subtlety and depth. Although it can at times be an effort to watch, it is a film which will stay with you long after it has ended. Your appreciation will grow as the complex and highly emotive story strands work themselves out in your brain hours and even days after you have watched it.
Highly recommended, the best film I have ever seen.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a very absorbing and beautifully made film. It recreates China 2,200 years ago, in the time of the great Emperor Q'in (pron. 'Sheen'), who unified the country, was responsible for the linking of the Chinese defensive walls into the Great Wall of China and ordered the manufacture of the famous terracotta warriors to guard the gates of his tomb. A retired, remorseful assassin is persuaded to make an attempt on his life, which in the end he does. Everything about it visually is impressive, indeed breath-taking. The acting is good - lots of intense close-ups. However, if this does not sound a silly comment, it is a very 'Chinese' film in terms of character behaviour and motivation, and it is sometimes difficult for a Western perception to make out why a character thinks as she/he does or apparently changes viewpoint without any clear reason. I do not say this as a criticism - I had a similar reaction to watching traditional Chinese opera a while back, but that did not spoil my enjoyment of it. No-one should hesitate from watching this film if the subject appeals.
36 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Directed by Chen Kaige (Farewell my concubine), this film shares much of its basic story with Hero in that it deals with the end of the Chinese Warring States period, the creation of a unified 'chinese' empire and a plot to kill the King of Qin, but the treatment is different in terms of cinematic style and the meaning behind the story.
The plot revolves around Ying Zheng (King of Qin) and his 'quest' to unify the other six kingdoms under his rule.
The film begins with the conquest of the Han and the main plot involves Ying Zhengs lover, Lady Zhao (played by Gong Li) going off on a clandestine mission to provide a pretext for him to attack another state Yan.
While she is away, there are complications at court and Ying Zheng, who is portrayed as a peace-loving unifier, gradually becomes (or is revealed to be) a ruthless tyrant.
The central question is whether personal desire for love and happiness can coincide with political ambition and a desire to save the world (or at least ancient China) through absolutist rule.
Or to put it another way, "What profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul" ?
The plot revolves around Ying Zheng (King of Qin) and his 'quest' to unify the other six kingdoms under his rule.
The film begins with the conquest of the Han and the main plot involves Ying Zhengs lover, Lady Zhao (played by Gong Li) going off on a clandestine mission to provide a pretext for him to attack another state Yan.
While she is away, there are complications at court and Ying Zheng, who is portrayed as a peace-loving unifier, gradually becomes (or is revealed to be) a ruthless tyrant.
The central question is whether personal desire for love and happiness can coincide with political ambition and a desire to save the world (or at least ancient China) through absolutist rule.
Or to put it another way, "What profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul" ?
The cast of characters includes some convincing supporting performances particularly from Fengyi Zhang as the assassin Jing Ke.
Jing Ke is a very interesting character and he and Ying Zheng Ke are portrayed as living opposite lives in many respects .
The courtly intrigues are handled with depth and they are driven by the characters rather than to satisfy the need for plot twists.
This is a film which will reveal more with each watching and I suspect there are other subtle clues that I will never get due to my lack of knowledge about the culture.
In terms of cinematography, it couldn't be less like Hero. No beautiful painted scenes of ochre leaves, no wire fighting. The palette is subdued and the fights are generally short and brutally functional.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Definitely a historical drama (rather than an action film), but one with well developed characters and many scenes of real emotional depth as well as a grand sweeping backdrop of epic proportions.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"When the map is unrolled, the dagger is revealed"
This old Chinese wisdom, which can be understood in many different ways, all very instructive, was inspired by THE most famous assassination attempt in history of China, which... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maciej
One of the best!
I love old time Chinese politics... it was all so robust ( read 'murderous' ), and all so polite at the same time. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs Danvers
Avoid
The Emperor And The Assassin tells the same basic story as Hero. I wanted to get into Chinese cinema a bit more, and the amazon reviews talked it up. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by A. Smith
Chinese history...
Chinese history, a good film. Not as good as many newer films in terms of action and effects, but the acting is strong, the assassination attempt is a bit laughable, but otherwise... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2009 by Writer
Chinese "history" hokum
I bought this for the history and was rather disappointed! "Hokum" rather than history would fit. The dubbing is poor, several characters have regular histrionics and at times the... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2009 by John Redman
Originality at its best
I just had to put a review up to boost the rating of this utterly spectacular masterpiece. It does not deserve 1 or 2 stars indicated by others due to the "dubs", the film is... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2009 by Rufus Mcgrufus
The Emporer and the Assassin
Good film if not exactly uplifting!!! Needs concentration too or you may get a little confused!
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by Nick
the emporer and the assassin
great story and characters, always loved this type of film and this lives up to expectations.
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by C. J. Towler
More functional than completely inspired
Chen Kaige's The Emperor and the Assassin was one of the more expected Chinese flops of the 90s, coming so soon after the previous telling of the same tale, The Emperor's Shadow... Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by Trevor Willsmer
The Emperor and the Assassin
This is a really strange movie. Quite a visual treat but far too serious ! Their are too many twists and turns that are just plain silly. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by film - buff
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