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House of Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers Image
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Metascore
89 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Ziyi Zhang
  • Summary: The year is 859 AD, and China's once flourishing Tang Dynasty is in decline. Unrest is raging throughout the land, and the corrupt government is locked in battle with rebel armies that are forming in protest. The largest and most prestigious of these rebel groups is the House of Flying Daggers, which is growing ever more powerful under a mysterious new leader. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand
  • Director: Yimou Zhang
  • Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Runtime: 119 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Forget about the plot, the characters, the intrigue, which are all splendid in House of Flying Daggers, and focus just on the visuals.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    It's as thrilling and lushly beautiful a movie as has been released all year, matched only by Zhang's epic "Hero." And I think this film is the more powerful.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Carla Meyer
    50
    Beautiful but hollow.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 95
  3. Negative: 16 out of 95
  1. PhillipR.
    10
    I am not a film buff and don't normally have much time for watching films, but this one just grabbed me and kept me enthralled. The twists and turns of the story are mesmerizing and the beauty of Mei is captivating. The depiction of the Martial Art fighting leaves you in awe, even if a little unbelievable. The closing scenes of fighting and death leave you emotionally drained. Fantastic… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. Shell
    4
    Story was weak, would have done better with filming a documentary on dagger throwing. 'Hero' is much better.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AnonymousMC
    1
    Simple....the critics are crazy and freaking BLIND. Zhang yimou is obviously cashing in on the current Kungfu-movie-craze, and the critics are stupid enough to rave about it. Im a chinese..and i've seen ALOT of kungfu flicks..and this is the WORST i've ever seen. this is merely a pretentious piece of junk. Stupid plot (or lack of one), awful acting, boring and cliche fight scenes and most importantly, downright BORING. And if u've been sharp, you'l realise that zhang ziyi gets screwed in EVERY SINGLE movie. She's always acting as a whore...she's way too overrated, and way too irritating. Please, she's far from beautiful (and so is the movie). Absolutely disgraceful to chinese gongfu flicks.... i wish i could spit on zhang yimou.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 95 User Reviews

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