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House of Flying Daggers

Original title: Shi mian mai fu
  • 20042004
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
112K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, and Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
Trailer for House of Flying Daggers
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
112K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Yimou Zhang
  • Writers
    • Feng Li
    • Bin Wang
    • Yimou Zhang
  • Stars
    • Ziyi Zhang
    • Takeshi Kaneshiro
    • Andy Lau
Top credits
  • Director
    • Yimou Zhang
  • Writers
    • Feng Li
    • Bin Wang
    • Yimou Zhang
  • Stars
    • Ziyi Zhang
    • Takeshi Kaneshiro
    • Andy Lau
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 448User reviews
    • 249Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 26 wins & 74 nominations total

    Videos1

    House of Flying Daggers
    Trailer 1:56
    House of Flying Daggers

    Photos288

    Takeshi Kaneshiro and Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Takeshi Kaneshiro in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    cp: 2004 Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Takeshi Kaneshiro in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Ziyi Zhang in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau in Shi mian mai fu (2004)
    Takeshi Kaneshiro in Shi mian mai fu (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ziyi Zhang
    Ziyi Zhang
    • Xiao Meias Xiao Mei
    Takeshi Kaneshiro
    Takeshi Kaneshiro
    • Jinas Jin
    Andy Lau
    Andy Lau
    • Leoas Leo
    Dandan Song
    Dandan Song
    • Yeeas Yee
    Hongfei Zhao
    • Performeras Performer
    Jun Guo
    • Performeras Performer
    Shu Zhang
    • Performeras Performer
    Jiusheng Wang
    Jiusheng Wang
    • Performeras Performer
    Zhengyong Zhang
    • Performeras Performer
    Yongxin Wang
    • Performeras Performer
    Dong Liu
    • Performeras Performer
    Qi Zi
    • Performeras Performer
    Xuedong Qu
    • Performeras Performer
    Liping Tian
    • Performeras Performer
    Hongwei Zhao
    • Performeras Performer
    Weina Huang
    • Performeras Performer
    Dan Ge
    • Performeras Performer
    Xiadong Yang
    • Performeras Performer
    • (as Yang Xiaodong)
    • Director
      • Yimou Zhang
    • Writers
      • Feng Li
      • Bin Wang
      • Yimou Zhang
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The climactic fight scene was filmed in the Ukraine. It snowed so early (October) that it caught the filmmakers by surprise, as they had already started filming. They decided to change the script and the movie so that it would appear almost as if this epic battle began during the fall and ended during winter. Yimou Zhang was very happy with how it turned out because it set the perfect tone and obviously highlighted the blood spilled on the snow.
    • Goofs
      Before Jin and Mei are trapped by the bamboo spears they are standing among hundreds of short bamboo spears pierced into the ground as a trap. When the soldiers get killed by The Flying Daggers and fall down to the ground, the short bamboo spears are all gone.
    • Quotes

      Jin: Just call me Wind.

      Mei: Wind?

      Jin: I wander around all alone, come and go without a trace.

      Mei: Like a carefree wind?

      Jin: No, a playful wind.

    • Crazy credits
      The Chinese theatrical release has a Chinese translation of the ending song (which has lyrics in English) on the left side of the screen during the credits.
    • Alternate versions
      The US version has blood reduced or digitally painted out of some of the fight scenes in order to secure a PG-13 rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Best Films of 2004 (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Beauty Song (Jia Ren Qu)
      Written by Li Yannian

      Performed by Ziyi Zhang

    User reviews448

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Fascinating movie with extraordinary photography and color
    China 859 AD,the once-mighty Tang dynasty is in decline.His corrupt government no longer controls the land,unrest sweeps the country.Village by village an underground alliance forms the ¨House of flying daggers¨.Based near the imperial capital ¨ The House¨ moves in the shadows.Stealing from the rich to give to the poor,they earn the support of the people.At the same time they are feared and hated by their bitter rivals,the local deputies. Mei(Zhang Zyi) is a gorgeous ,exotic, and rare beauty dancer, she's an intrepid and blind warrior(as Zaitochi,the blind samurai).She's suspicious of pertaining to revolutionary group.Two officials(Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau) are assigned their deadly mission : capture her and inquire where the band is hidden. Now the protagonists pull off a dangerous journey and they'll fight against warriors grasped to trees,impressive combats and battles of incredible scenarios. The same director¨Hero¨,Zhang Yimou, and the starring of¨Hero¨and ¨Crouching Tiger and hidden dragon¨,Zhang Zyi(memories of a geisha),bring us a new exciting film. Zhang Yimou makes the ultimate martial arts masterpiece.Spellbound struggles images illuminate the full-blown adventures of trio protagonist. Colorful chop-socky big budget with battles stunningly staged and groundbreaking production design. Eye-popping cinematography is specially reflected on breathtaking outdoors and luxurious interiors and overwhelming costumes. Fascinating gowns by Japan designer Emi Wada based on Tang dynasty. Riveting and atmospheric score with oriental sounds by Umebayashi. The motion picture was nominated to Academy award 2005 to the best cinematography and nominated to Golden Globe to the best foreigner film. The film is dedicated to the memory of Anita Moui. Rating :Astounding and awesome.
    helpful•26
    8
    • ma-cortes
    • Jan 9, 2006

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the British BBFC 15 Version and the Uncensored Version? Is the PG-13 Version uncensored?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 14, 2005 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • China
      • Hong Kong
    • Official sites
      • Bim Distribuzione (Italy)
      • Official site (Russia)
    • Language
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Attack from Ten Directions
    • Filming locations
      • Kossiv National Park, Ukraine
    • Production companies
      • Beijing New Picture Film
      • China Film Co-Production Corporation
      • Edko Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CN¥100,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,050,094
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $397,472
      • Dec 5, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $92,863,945
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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