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

DVD ~ Ziyi Zhang
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
RRP: £17.99
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Frequently Bought Together

House Of Flying Daggers [2004] [DVD] + Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001] + Quentin Tarantino Presents: Hero [DVD] [2004]
Total RRP: £57.97
Price For All Three: £20.08

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

House Of Flying Daggers [2004] [DVD]
84% buy the item featured on this page:
House Of Flying Daggers [2004] [DVD] 4.2 out of 5 stars (107)
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Product details

  • Actors: Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro
  • Directors: Yimou Zhang
  • Format: Anamorphic, PAL
  • 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: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Pathe Distribution
  • DVD Release Date: 15 Aug 2005
  • Run Time: 119 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000AYARCM
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 9,778 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #68 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 splendor and dazzling swordplay. --Bret Fetzer

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

107 Reviews
5 star:
 (60)
4 star:
 (28)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:
 (10)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (107 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Simply, a gorgeous film, 27 July 2005
By A Customer
This review is from: House Of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004] (DVD)
I watched this film after being amazed by the brilliant Hero. From what I heard I was expecting the same attention to detail, brilliant soundtrack and astounding choreography seen in Hero. I was not disappointed. The story could have easily been followed without the subtitles however the film was so masterfully shot that it kept me captivated to the last scene.

The plot follows a captain in the army who is sent in undercover to discover the whereabouts of a rebel group called the house of flying daggers, who rob from the rich to give to the poor. His job is to befriend a suspected member of the house of flying daggers and she will hopefully lead him to their base. The girl is question is a blind girl, who performs at the local entertainment house (played by Ziyi Zhang) The captain at first is true to his mission and wins the girls affection but as the story develops and situations change. He realises his true feeling for the girl, and her for him but an old lover reveals himself and complicates matters, when the girl decides on who she wants to be with, all allegiances break down and there is one final battle in the name of love.

This is truly one of the most beautiful films I have ever had the pleasure to watch, the photography of the scenes, the light, the colour were perfect, a warm glow of pleasure spread through me as I watched some of the scenes. They were also helped by an exceptionally well-chosen and balanced soundtrack, with one song in particular staying through the film most of the way. The visual affect were fantastic and if you didn't know better you may feel like throwing a few knives around at home to see if the might move around objects. Unlike a lot of high action Hollywood films you could really see and tell what was happening in the fight scenes, which were all bar the last drawn-out, fight-to-the-death, spectacular. The film focuses mainly on character development and astonishing scene work rather than plot, as the story itself is frankly very simple with a few twists involved. However, if you enjoy watching films just for the sheer beauty of them, watch this film and you shan't be disappointed.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Beware the falling bamboo leaves, 1 May 2005
By Amanda Richards "Hotpurplekoolaid" (ECD, Guyana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)   
This review is from: House of Flying Daggers [DVD] [2004] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)
The only similarity between this movie and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", is the breathtaking choreography of the aerial combat amongst the bamboo trees. Indeed, the best sequences in "House of Flying Daggers" begin with some quietly and gracefully pirouetting bamboo leaves, falling dramatically towards the lush green forest floor.

Totally different from "Hero" plot wise, the vivid use of color, light and fabric ties the two together, bringing Chinese action movies to an artistic level never before seen on a big or small screen.

Ziyi Zhang as Mei, the blind bombshell, illuminates every frame she's in, proving her capability to carry a major movie on her slim shoulders. Her supporting male leads Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin) and Andy Lau (Leo) have to work double time just to keep up.

Jin and Leo are Government officers, who are trying to track down the elusive underground rebel group of the title. They suspect that Mei, a blind call girl, can lead them to the rebels' hideout, and decide to use the age old plan of deception and seduction. Handsome ladies man Jin gets the plum assignment of gaining Mei's confidence, and from here, the movie turns unexpectedly into a tempestuous love story, the plot twisting this way and that under the power of love.

There are certainly less fight scenes than "Hero", the love scenes are awkward to say the least, and the movie slows considerably in places, but the combination of Ziyi Zhang, the scenic shots and the sword, bamboo and knife play make it an extremely worthwhile way to spend 119 minutes.

Amanda Richards

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL, 16 July 2006
By A reader "Book Lover" (Leeds) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   
Zhang Yimou directed, "The House of Flying Daggers" is dedicated to the memory of Anita Mui - an actress to whom the major role of "Mei" was created but who died of cancer before the filming began.

"The House of Flying Daggers" is a story of love in 859 AD China. In the past very powerful Tang Dynasty is weakened by rebellions, the Emperor is no longer competent and various rebellious groups are forming in villages. One of them is the secret society of "The House of Flying Daggers" whose purpose is to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Doing this they earn a great common people's support. This irritates the government and they try to stop them by killing the leader of "The House of Flying Daggers". After some time, however, the new leader appears but government doesn't know who he is and how to find him. Then the rumours spread that in the new Peony Pavilion (a brothel) there is a mysterious blind girl Mei (Zhang Ziyi) who could be "The House of Flying Daggers'" leader's daughter. Two captains Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) think of a plan that could help them to find the leader of the secret society and kill him. But to do this Jin has to seduce Mei. The film turns into a love triangle story when Jin fells for Mei and when Leo appears to have loved her for years...

"The House of Flying Daggers" isn't a typical martial arts/action film although it is beautifully choreographed, includes some special effects scenes which I personally don't like but in this case computerised moments made it a bit like an epic and gave the fantastic atmosphere. I especially liked the photography where earth colours brown and green dominate all the way and at the end we see white snow and red blood which are amazing contrasts. The Shigeru Umebayashi's soundtrack made everything even more sensual and mythological-like, gave the breathtaking sceneries the fantastic traditional sound. The film takes place in the locations like the police station, a brothel, wood, bamboo forest and fields (the scene with snow was filmed in the Ukraine). I found it quite a psychological film and there was quite a tension and mystery between the relationships among the characters. The acting was brilliant. This DVD is in Mandarin language with English subtitles. It is an amazing movie, outstanding and a bit transcendent. A love story in it's highest.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch it again and again
Stunning! Superb camera work. Amazing stunts.Beautiful scenery. Add the female star and what more could a man ask for?
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. L. Eldridge

1.0 out of 5 stars flying turkey
This wasn't in English and there was no proper fighting ,just stuff that looked like dancing ? weird
Published 4 months ago by Joey

5.0 out of 5 stars Flying Daggers, I only have to hear the title to want to watch the film agai
- - - - and again and again and again. This truly has to be one of the best films ever made. Though I must admit to loving most of the really good Asian films. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Seligor

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty
a beautiful film ! people, music, and dance?albeit martial arts .the music espec.is worth the viewing.almost enough action to keep me awake all the way through . Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. Stevens

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 8 months ago by Andrew Riley

4.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Delight
And it certainly is just that.

The amazing photgraphy, locations and fight scenes are a feast for the eyes. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Young Stevie

2.0 out of 5 stars Sadly not accomplished
It is sad. Those beautiful landscapes are there, of course, the plot is fair enough, but this movie shows clearly that ain't enough to entertain you. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Guerra Ariel Gustavo

3.0 out of 5 stars Over Rated

Some people say this is a masterpiece. Only the last half an hour came close, the first hour is boring, unrealistic and tedious. Read more
Published 21 months ago by C. E. Cox

5.0 out of 5 stars House of Flying Daggers - No 13 - All Time List 2008
A quite simply exquisite piece of art - beautiful beyond words - House of Flying Daggers is a fantastic Martial Arts / Love story obviously drawing comparisons to Crouching Tiger,... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Morris Day

1.0 out of 5 stars YAWN!
Don't believe the hype. Ok so it's pretty, so what! Takeshi Kaneshiro cannot use a sword to save his life...bummer for him. Read more
Published 23 months ago by A. Joseph

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