HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
aka SHI MIAN MAI FU

Year: 2004
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Pathe Distribution
Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Ziyi Zhang, Song Dandan
Director: Zhang Yimou
Countries: China / Hong Kong
Language: Mandarin (English subtitles)
USA & UK: 119 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for sequences of stylized martial arts violence, and some sexuality
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong violence
USA Release Date: 14 January 2005
USA Release Date: 17 December 2004 (Limited Release - wider)
USA Release Date: 3 December 2004 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 26 December 2004


Synopsis

At its height, the Tang Dynasty was one of the most enlightened empires in Chinese history. But in 859AD, the Dynasty is in decline. The Emperor is incompetent and the government is corrupt. Unrest is spreading throughout the land, and many rebel armies are forming in protest. The largest, and most prestigious, is an underground alliance called the 'House of Flying Daggers'.

The House of Flying Daggers operates mysteriously, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Thus, they earned the support and admiration of the people and expanded quickly. Based in Feng Tian County, close to the Imperial Capital, the House of Flying Daggers has long been a thorn in the side of their hated rivals, the local deputies.

To the fury of the deputies, even after they fought and killed the leader of the House of Flying Daggers, the House continues to thrive. Under the leadership of a mysterious New Leader, the House of Flying Daggers grows ever more powerful. Feng Tian County's two local captains, Leo (Andy Lau Tak Wah) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) are ordered to capture the new leader within ten days.

Captain Leo suspects that Mei (Ziyi Zhang), the beautiful new dancer at the local Peony Pavilion is actually the daughter of the old leader, and hatches a plan to arrest her and bring her in for questioning. When Mei refuses to divulge any information on the House of Flying Daggers, the two captains set up another plan. This time, Captain Jin will pretend to be a lone warrior called Wind and rescue Mei from prison, earning her trust and escorting her to the secret headquarters of the House of Flying Daggers.

The plan works, and on their long journey to the House, Jin and Mei begin to fall for each other. What lies ahead for Jin and Mei, these star-crossed lovers? If this is true love, then why are there plots in their heads...and secrets in their hearts?

DVD EXTRAS

Language: Chinese
Subtitles: English
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (16x9)
Sound Quality: 5.1 Stereo (DTS)

DVD Special Features:
'Making of' featurette (45mins)
Look Inside featurette (15mins)
Visual effects featurette (5 mins)
Director's commentary
Cast and crew biographies
Lovers' music video with lyrics
Lovers' music video without lyrics
Storyboard/film comparison
Filming locations
Trailers and TV spots
Photo gallery
Costume gallery
Props gallery
Settings gallery
Field photo gallery