← Back to results
House of Flying Daggers
十面埋伏
2004 119 min China, Hong Kong PG-13 18+
★8.2
Adventure, Drama, Action
Director: Yimou Zhang
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$11.05M
Worldwide:
$92.86M
Starring
Ziyi Zhang
Actor
Takeshi Kaneshiro
Actor
Andy Lau
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 2005
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 2005
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 2005
— Best Fantasy Film
Saturn Awards 2005
— Best Director
BAFTA 2005
— Best Film Editing
Academy Awards 2005
— Best Cinematography
European Film Awards 2004
— Screen International Award
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2005
— Best Fight
BAFTA 2005
— Best International Feature Film
BAFTA 2005
— Best Costume Design
Saturn Awards 2005
— Best Costume Design
BAFTA 2005
— Best Visual Effects
BAFTA 2005
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Golden Globe 2005
— Best International Feature Film
Golden Eagle 2006
— Best International Feature Film
BAFTA 2005
— Best Sound
BAFTA 2005
— Best Production Design
Saturn Awards 2005
— Best Actress
Key opinion
House of Flying Daggers is widely celebrated as a visual and auditory masterpiece, lauded for its vibrant cinematography, elegant choreography, and evocative atmosphere. However, opinions on the narrative are sharply divided; while some viewers are moved by its tragic romantic core, others find the plot incoherent, melodramatic, and burdened by physics-defying logic.
| Cinematography | The film features breathtaking cinematography and production design, with every frame composed like a work of art. | |
| Acting | The martial arts choreography is highly praised for its balletic, dance-like quality that integrates seamlessly with the film’s visual style. | |
| Score | The musical score is masterfully integrated, effectively enhancing the film's atmosphere and emotional weight. | |
| Acting | The performances, particularly that of Zhang Ziyi, anchor the film and create genuine emotional investment in the characters. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is highly polarizing: some find the tragic love triangle emotionally compelling, while others dismiss the constant plot twists and character motivations as nonsensical and contrived. | |
| Originality | The action sequences are met with conflicting reactions: they are either enjoyed as immersive, stylized fantasy or rejected for their blatant disregard for physics and logic. |