FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The Emperor And The Assassin [DVD] [2000]

The Emperor And The Assassin [DVD] [2000]
enlarge	Director: Kaige Chen Actors: Li Gong, Fengyi Zhang, Zhou Sun, Xiaohe Lü, Zhiwen Wang Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£19.99~~ Buy New: £3.97 as of 25/11/2009 09:03 GMT details You Save: £16.02 (80%) New (11) Used (1) from £3.35 Seller: selectcheaper Rating: 15 reviews Sales Rank: 6925 Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen Languages: Mandarin Chinese (Original Language), English (Subtitled), English (Dubbed) Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 161 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5035822904637 ASIN: B00005R0CX Theatrical Release Date: December 9, 1999 Release Date: February 11, 2002 Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Set in 221 BC, IThe Emperor and the Assassin/I tells of Ying Zheng (Li Xuejian) and his obsession to unite seven Chinese kingdoms and become the first Emperor of China. The film mixes spectacular battle scenes with court intrigue, counterpointed by the King's complex relationship with the only woman he has truly loved, the Lady Zhao (Gong Li). From protocol-ridden palaces to wide open grasslands, this is a visually striking film, both beautiful and at the same time burdened with the horrors of the period. p Though this was the most expensive film ever made in China, director Chen Kaige (IFarewell My Concubine/I) nevertheless retains a tight reign on character and psychology, recalling Kurosawa's IRan/I (1985) and IKagemusha/I (1980). The cast, particularly the two leads, are magnificent and both production design and score are first rate. While the unfolding story has similar appeal to IGladiator/I and ICrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/I, it can be as confusing and jarringly edited as the original (pre-director's cut) version of IThe Last Emperor/I (1987), and for the same reason--despite its 154 minutes--the film was cut by approximately 30 minutes prior to release. The full version may eventually reveal a masterpiece, though in its present form it is still an exceptionally powerful and compelling drama. p BOn the DVD:/B IThe Emperor and the Assassin/I's original 1.85:1 image is transferred anamorphically, and while not up with the finest DVDs is still sharp and detailed. Strangely, despite the film being presented in DTS theatrically, the DVD offers mere three-channel Dolby Pro-Logic. No more than adequate, this is a serious disappointment when at least Dolby Digital 5.1 would be the accepted norm. The film can be watched with the original Mandarin soundtrack, with or without English subtitles, or dubbed into English. The extras are a 4:3 trailer and a serious, comprehensive commentary by director Chen Kaige. For anyone wanting to know how to mount such a large-scale production, there can be few better guides than Kaige.--IGary S. Dalkin/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next » A thought provoking, bombastic, historical epic. March 1, 2002 alexandersalvoni@yahoo.com (London, England) 53 out of 55 found this review helpful This film is not only a thought provoking historical epic on a grand scale, but also an extremely engaging political thriller. pIt tells the story af a king in ancient China and his struggle to unite the country into one unified kingdom. As well as epic battles the film focuses on his personal relationships, with other rulers and members of his own household, and how they are worked out in true Macchiavellian style. If you have read and appreciated Sun Tzu's the art of war then watch this film. pIn the finest traditions of Ben Hur it literally has a cast of thousands, a welcome relief in the age of computer graphics. The (infrequent) battle scenes are truly awesome.pI do not think it would be too inappropriate to compare the story to the finest shakespeare plays in terms of subtlety and depth. Although it can at times be an effort to watch, it is a film which will stay with you long after it has ended. Your appreciation will grow as the complex and highly emotive story strands work themselves out in your brain hours and even days after you have watched it.pHighly recommended, the best film I have ever seen. Originality at its best September 24, 2009 Rufus Mcgrufus (UK, Staffordshire) I just had to put a review up to boost the rating of this utterly spectacular masterpiece. It does not deserve 1 or 2 stars indicated by others due to the "dubs", the film is intended to be watched in Mandarin! The subtitles are very good in comparison to some other Chinese successful films and it isnt done on google translate as some appear to! br / br /The film itself, what can I say, if you love good films this is a MUST see. Its deeper than the "slash and hack" films of others and yet still more active than the "all talk no action" films. The music is super,the acting is outstandingly brilliant and the actor playing the King of Qin really does give a persona of a man losing his sanity. br / br /Please watch this film, I'm not great with blood but there is barely any blood in this film, the little blood that is in the film is clearly not even red! br / br /10/10! Visually remarkable, dramatically absorbing January 8, 2008 Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane (Fife, Scotland) 10 out of 10 found this review helpful This is a very absorbing and beautifully made film. It recreates China 2,200 years ago, in the time of the great Emperor Q'in (pron. 'Sheen'), who unified the country, was responsible for the linking of the Chinese defensive walls into the Great Wall of China and ordered the manufacture of the famous terracotta warriors to guard the gates of his tomb. A retired, remorseful assassin is persuaded to make an attempt on his life, which in the end he does. Everything about it visually is impressive, indeed breath-taking. The acting is good - lots of intense close-ups. However, if this does not sound a silly comment, it is a very 'Chinese' film in terms of character behaviour and motivation, and it is sometimes difficult for a Western perception to make out why a character thinks as she/he does or apparently changes viewpoint without any clear reason. I do not say this as a criticism - I had a similar reaction to watching traditional Chinese opera a while back, but that did not spoil my enjoyment of it. No-one should hesitate from watching this film if the subject appeals. Chinese Epic - like Hero through a different lens November 22, 2005 WJ Davidson (Edinburgh) 34 out of 39 found this review helpful Directed by Chen Kaige (Farewell my concubine), this film shares much of its basic story with Hero in that it deals with the end of the Chinese Warring States period, the creation of a unified #x27;chinese#x27; empire and a plot to kill the King of Qin, but the treatment is different in terms of cinematic style and the meaning behind the story.brThe plot revolves around Ying Zheng (King of Qin) and his #x27;quest#x27; to unify the other six kingdoms under his rule. brThe film begins with the conquest of the Han and the main plot involves Ying Zhengs lover, Lady Zhao (played by Gong Li) going off on a clandestine mission to provide a pretext for him to attack another state Yan. brWhile she is away, there are complications at court and Ying Zheng, who is portrayed as a peace-loving unifier, gradually becomes (or is revealed to be) a ruthless tyrant. brThe central question is whether personal desire for love and happiness can coincide with political ambition and a desire to save the world (or at least ancient China) through absolutist rule.brOr to put it another way, "What profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul" ?pThe cast of characters includes some convincing supporting performances particularly from Fengyi Zhang as the assassin Jing Ke.brJing Ke is a very interesting character and he and Ying Zheng Ke are portrayed as living opposite lives in many respects .pThe courtly intrigues are handled with depth and they are driven by the characters rather than to satisfy the need for plot twists.pThis is a film which will reveal more with each watching and I suspect there are other subtle clues that I will never get due to my lack of knowledge about the culture.pIn terms of cinematography, it couldn#x27;t be less like Hero. No beautiful painted scenes of ochre leaves, no wire fighting. The palette is subdued and the fights are generally short and brutally functional.pI thoroughly enjoyed this film. Definitely a historical drama (rather than an action film), but one with well developed characters and many scenes of real emotional depth as well as a grand sweeping backdrop of epic proportions. A Chinese Epic June 8, 2005 Francisco (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) 16 out of 22 found this review helpful The film is set in the year 221 BC. The expanse of land that we now call China was once hundreds of warring Kingdoms. At the time the film starts, conquests have molded those hundreds into 7 Kingdoms. Zheng wants to become the ruler of them all.pThe film revolves around 3 people:pEmperor/King Ying Zheng: He has had a dream handed down to him from his ancestors to "rule all under heaven" (i.e. China). He believes that he will make a good ruler. At the start of the film he is the ruler of the Kingdom of Qin.pLady Zhao: Zheng's first love. They've been growing apart for years but Zheng still wants her around.pJing Ke: An assassin from the country of Yan. A distressing event in his past has made him renounce violence.pThe film starts off with a battle and old fashion ideas of honour. In order to stop more bloodshed, Lady Zhao comes up with a plan. She will go with the Prince of Yan, who Zheng is currently holding hostage, to Yan and persuade them to send an assassin to make an attempt on Zheng (which is doomed to failure) and then Yan will have to capitulate to Qin without soldiers having to go into battle to make up for it.pThings don't quite go as planned when she embarks on her mission.pThere is a subplot in that a high ranking person in Zheng's kingdom is plotting a coup.pOne warning: it doesn't flinch from showing us the aftermath and devestation of war. It's neither pro-war or anti-war.pThe film is a period piece which is about plots, counter plots and intrigue. It's also about how emotions affect politics and decisions individuals take. It starts out from one point of view but gradually shows us others.pAt 2 1/2 hours it is a little on the long side. Despite that it's worth a look. Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next »

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