HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (DVD REVIEW) - 2/5/06

There really are some startling scenes in this film the opening with the dancing and drums comes to mind and especially the bamboo chase sequence; eventually leading to the snow laden finale, quite tragic really that people are the same all over the world and do stupid things time after time with no sense of why they did it in the first place?

Above is the Region 2 (UK) DVD Cover of the 2-Disc Special Edition. This comes with a Reflective Cardboard Slipcase. Runtime: Approx 114 Mins - Colour PAL. Language: Mandarin Chinese 5.1. & 5.1. DTS. Subtitles: English. Rating: 15. Widescreen Version 16:9 & Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 except Disc 2 which is FULL FRAME 4:3, 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio. SPECIAL FEATURES: Making Of Documentary, Visual Effects Featurette, "Lovers" Music Video. Commentary by Zhang Yimou and Ziyi Zhang, Storyboard & Film Comparisons, Filming Locations. Galleries for Costume, Props, Photos and Settings. Cast & Crew Biographies with Trailer & TV Spots. 20th CENTURY FOX/PATHE 2006/P-OGB P916301034/ISBN # 5060002834817>

This is a film lushly dripping with wide landscapes and vivid colours, lush flowery fields and verdant misty forests of silver birch and hazy steaming bamboo. In the middle of all this beauty is a group of human beings fighting repressed emotions and strait-jacketed by their culture and honour. If this was not bad enough we actually have literal fighting as knives, swords and arrows flash across the screen as we voyeurs watch in anticipation of the next bone-crunching scene. Amidst this melee of angst we get a three-way love triangle that spins out of control into madness and death, loss and regret. The two hours or so of this film just shot by into the shock ending and what a finish - The clouds roll over the autumn woods and fields gradually darkening as snow starts to sleet down heavier and heavier until the whole frame is filled with white. Foreign Language films are not everyone's cup of tea but this is definitely worth a viewing at least once. Below is the Region 1 (USA) DVD cover.