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House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004]
 
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House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004]

DVD ~ Ziyi Zhang
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
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Frequently Bought Together

House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004] + Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001] + Quentin Tarantino Presents: Hero [DVD] [2004]
Total RRP: £59.97
Price For All Three: £18.03

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004]
61% buy the item featured on this page:
House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004] 4.2 out of 5 stars (57)
£7.07
House Of Flying Daggers [2004] [DVD]
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House Of Flying Daggers [2004] [DVD] 4.1 out of 5 stars (32)
£4.48
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]
8% buy
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001] 4.0 out of 5 stars (167)
£4.98
Quentin Tarantino Presents: Hero [DVD] [2004]
7% buy
Quentin Tarantino Presents: Hero [DVD] [2004] 3.9 out of 5 stars (87)
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Product details

  • Actors: Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro
  • Directors: Yimou Zhang
  • Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
  • Language Mandarin Chinese
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Pathe Distribution
  • DVD Release Date: 2 May 2005
  • Run Time: 119 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0007RUSRG
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 8,060 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #48 in  DVD > Action & Adventure > Martial Arts

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

No one uses colour like Chinese director Zhang Yimou--movies like Raise the Red Lantern or Hero, though different in tone and subject matter, are drenched in rich, luscious shades of red, blue, yellow, and green. House of Flying Daggers is no exception; if they weren't choreographed with such vigorous imagination, the spectacular action sequences would seem little more than an excuse for vivid hues rippling across the screen. Government officers Leo and Jin (Asian superstars Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) set out to destroy an underground rebellion called the House of Flying Daggers (named for their weapon of choice, a curved blade that swoops through the air like a boomerang). Their only chance to find the rebels is a blind women named Mei (Ziyi Zhang, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) who has some lethal kung fu moves of her own. In the guise of an aspiring rebel, Jin escorts Mei through gorgeous forests and fields that become bloody battlegrounds as soldiers try to kill them both. While arrows and spears of bamboo fly through the air, Mei, Jin, and Leo turn against each other in surprising ways, driven by passion and honour. Zhang's previous action/art film, Hero, sometimes sacrificed momentum for sheer visual beauty; House of Flying Daggers finds a more muscular balance of aesthetic splendour and dazzling swordplay. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com


Synopsis

Following up his award-winning martial-arts drama HERO, director Zhang Yimou (JU DOU, RAISE THE RED LANTERN) tells an intricately detailed love story in the swordfighting epic HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, set during the final days of the Tang Dynasty. A mysterious group called the Flying Daggers is a dangerous threat to the government, so police captain Leo (Andy Lau) sends his right-hand man, Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), undercover to try to find the rebels' location. Jin, a notorious playboy, pretends he is a roving warrior called 'Wind' and befriends Mei (Ziyi Zhang), a blind dancer who is believed to be the daughter of the former leader of the Daggers. As he leads her across the countryside, they are 'attacked' by government soldiers--but these battles are staged by Leo in order to convince Mei that Jin is on her side. But when a general orders that Mei must be captured at any cost, the fighting turns real, and Jin must decide between his loyalty to his job and his growing love for Mei. Meanwhile, Mei battles her feelings for Jin as well, trying to hide her true self. Zhang's gorgeous, compelling film is filled with beautiful singing and dancing, marvellous costumes, and wonderful locations; the scene in the Bamboo Forest is unforgettable, as is the Echo Game, which Leo and Mei play in the Peony Pavilion. There are also twists throughout the film and by the time the end comes, audiences will be spinning their heads in awe and amazement at the never ending wonders of this special movie. The film is dedicated to Anita Mui, who was to have a starring role before her unexpected death.

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Customer Reviews

57 Reviews
5 star:
 (31)
4 star:
 (16)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (57 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A cut above the rest, 3 Mar 2005
By russell clarke "stipesdoppleganger" (halifax, west yorks) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)      
If you prefer a less operatic and linear plot and a screenplay more interested in the internalised purple affairs of the heart than the wide screen machinations of politics then you should prefer The House of flying Daggers over director Zhang Yimous previous work "Hero". The narrative while still convoluted is tighter than that of "Hero", but most importantly there is still the same ravishing use of colour, movement and most astonishingly even a couple of sequences that surpass anything even the sumptuous "Hero" had to offer. House of Flying Daggers is a luscious visual banquet and you will want to feast till you are bloated.
The plot sees Police Captains Lee (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kareshiro) given ten days to capture the leader of The House of Flying Daggers, an expanding rebel alliance. Jin goes undercover in order to gain the confidence of Mei, a blind prisoner played by the scorchingly beautiful Zhang Ziyi. They breakout of jail and head off in search of the outlaws and on reaching their goal find their emotions turning towards each other and story subverts into a compelling love triangle.
While all the performances are excellent with Takeshi Kaneshiro particularly outstanding, it is once again the unforgettable array of images that elevate this movie into the realms of the spectacular. Snow that falls in tear shaped drops, the "Echo Game" which is mesmerising in its use of Zhang Ziyi, s athleticism and makes "Simply Come Dancing" look like a sack race. There is another of those extraordinary gravity defying duels in an emerald bamboo forest and Mei,s escape from a hail of arrows apes stunts from other movies but has never been carried out with such poise and grace.
Yimou is superbly adept at transporting the viewer to another place and time, but after two films set in Ancient China maybe it's time he tackled something more contemporary, or perhaps moved to a different genre. Horror or fantasy would be very interesting (How about George R R Martins "A Game of Thrones, or China Meivilles "Perdido Street Station"?) I'm certain his eye for the exquisite potential for beauty in every frame would translate well into any style. Having said that , if he continues on his current course and takes talent such as Ziyi and Lau with him , I for one won't complain if they are as entertaining, intelligent and eye meltingly gorgeous as House Of The Flying Daggers.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars House of Flying Daggers Review, 8 May 2005
By Dr. A. B. Mckenzie "SportProgressive" (Leicester, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
House of Flying Daggers is a tale set in China about 2 police officers who have been sent by the Chinese General to capture the leader of the House of Flying Daggers, a rebel organisation. One travels and tries to get information from a girl called Mei, who is an amazing dancer and fighter, however blind. The other helps them, in secret, fight of hordes off the General's warriors, who are trying to kill them even though they are on his side. In this film, there is no evil and good, but rather it is a romance more than a action film. Although the fighting and 'dagger-throwing' is very full of CGI (computer graphic images), and is very good, it does not compare to the natural fighting of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. There is beautiful scenery, which ties in wonderfully with the ending, however I think the overall plot is not deep enough.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Flying beauty, 25 Feb 2007
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Here's one word that sums up this film: Beauty. The plot of "House of Flying Daggers" (original title: "Shi mian mai fu") is lacking, but in a way it's made up for with the intoxicating sets, costumes, and exquisite love story. Zhang Yimou backs away from the grandeur of "Hero" in favor of a more intimate story.

It's 859 A.D., near the end of the corrupt Tang Dynasty. A guerilla rebellion called House of the Flying Daggers (who are able to throw knives at great distances) has sprung up against the government. Despite the loss of their leader, the rebels are thriving. Deputy Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) decides to go undercover to infiltrate the House, and he tries to get the trust of blind courtesan Mei (Zhang Ziyi), daughter of the House's dead leader.

But soon he begins to fall in love with Mei, jeopardizing his loyalties, while Mei herself is experiencing confusion. But government officials want Mei dead because of her sympathies -- and even worse, they don't realize that Jin is undercover. To make things worse, Jin is not the only rival for Mei's love -- his best friend is as well.

Director Zhang Yimou apparently said that "Hero" was the warm-up to "House of Flying Daggers." It does seem more polished and fully realized, without the "Rashomon" storytelling. Instead of a war movie, it's a mixture of fairy-tale romance and beauty, and spies and guerilla warfare. The final half-hour is the stumbling block, where some plot threads come unravelled. Things get pretty confusing.

Zhang doesn't drop the ball as far as stylism goes -- color and exquisite details are in every frame. They have an almost intoxicating effect, and so do the action sequences. One of the most memorable scenes is Ziyi performing the "echo game," where she strikes drums in a particular rhythm with her flowing clothing. Not to mention a balletic, dreamlike fight in a bamboo forest, with the participants soaring and dipping like Cirque de Soleil dancers. It's all completely unreal, but there lies its beauty, like a painting of the sky that focuses on the sun and not the clouds.

This is entirely Zhang Ziyi's picture -- since her debut in "The Road Home," Ziyi has proved herself a wonderful actress. "House of Flying Daggers" focuses mostly on Ziyi, and she gives a truly exquisite performance, particularly when she pretends to be a blind woman -- watch her face. The two supporting actors, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro, do a solid job in their roles, particularly Kaneshiro, who brings plenty of life to what could have been another cliched bad-cop-turned-lover.

"House of Flying Daggers" is worth seeing just to see -- it's visual ecstacy packed around a fairly typical love triangle plot and a slightly disappointing final half hour. But the sights alone in this intimate love story are exquisite.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Visually superb, morally dubious
If I had to pick a film that I felt most ambivalent about House of Flying Daggers would be it. Visually stunning, with great choreography, wardrobes and settings it's a cinematic... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Riley

1.0 out of 5 stars Disapointed !
If you love Yimou Zhang from Rise the Red Lantern or Ju Dou, do not watch this movie. It's waist of time.
Published on 30 Sep 2007 by SL Asia DVD

5.0 out of 5 stars You are missing the point
This is one of my favourite films of all time. I have watched it many times and it breaks my heart each time. Is it me or are people not watching it properly. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2007 by C. K. C. Woodward

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
Stunning isnt a word i would like to use when reviewing a martial arts film, yet this one is. They clearly went all out on the eye candy, the colours are dazzling. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2007 by A. Gadney

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but not in English
If they'd dubbed it into English I'd have probably given it 5 stars...
Published on 26 Mar 2007 by Madge

5.0 out of 5 stars Very slick martial arts action
I personally enjoyed this film a lot more than Hero and Crouching Tiger. I find it has better action and a better plot than both aforementioned films. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2007 by W. Chau

4.0 out of 5 stars brilliant, but poor ending
Undoubtedly a visual masterpiece, HoFD also hits all the marks in terms of originality and suspenseful plot development. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2006 by red_explosions

5.0 out of 5 stars Strangely, a perfect companion for the poorer Hero
Whilst Hero is an intellectual feast wrapped around a sumptious but ultimately empty film, House of Flying Daggers delivers an emotional punch unlikely to be forgotten... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2006 by Mr. S. Goss

5.0 out of 5 stars Art, plot, fight scenes, Flying daggers has it all.
This film is superior to crouching tiger, and most of the other films presenting material is this genre, It is difficult to fault it anywhere. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2006 by Maurice Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars Great film, shame about the ending
House of Flying Daggers is the second film by the inimitable director Zhang Yimou. The first that I saw was Hero, which I did initially have doubts about, but these were quickly... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2006 by Bill Morris

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