“Hero”, 1992
Director: Stephen Frears
Directed by Zhang Yimou, this visually striking wuxia film tells the story of Nameless, a warrior who recounts his confrontations with three deadly assassins to the King of Qin, revealing intricate and surprising layers of personal and political intrigue.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis, Andy Garcia, Joan Cusack, Kevin J. O'Connor, Maury Chaykin, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christian Clemenson, Tom Arnold, Warren Berlinger;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Hero” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Emperor”, 1987
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, this biographical film is centered around the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, following his tumultuous reign over the waning days of the Qing Dynasty and the challenges he faced both during and after his time on the throne.
Starring: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ying Ruocheng, Victor Wong, Dennis Dun, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Maggie Han, Ric Young, Vivian Wu;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: biography, history, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 163 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Last Emperor” on the website imdb.com
“The Banquet”, 2019
Director: Rossella Nisio
Directed by Feng Xiaogang, this movie is a loose adaption of Shakespeare's “Hamlet,” set in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, involving palace intrigue, a power struggle, and elements of forbidden love.
Starring: Lorenzo Bassanelli;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: documentary, short film;
Duration: 4 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“Shadow”, 2009
Director: Federico Zampaglione
In this Zhang Yimou film, the story, set during the period of the Three Kingdoms, involves a military commander who employs a “shadow” look-alike to fool his enemies and to cover his battle strategies with complex political motives.
Starring: Jake Muxworthy, Karina Testa, Ottaviano Blitch, Chris Coppola, Emilio De Marchi, Nuot Arquint, Gianpiero Cognoli, Matt Patresi;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: horror;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 77 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
More information about the film “Shadow” on the website imdb.com
“The Great Wall”, 2016
Director: Zhang Yimou
Directed by Zhang Yimou, this fantasy action film features an imagined monster assault on the Great Wall of China during the Song Dynasty and the battle waged by an elite force to protect the world from the mythical beasts.
Starring: Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Pedro Pascal, Zhang Hanyu, Luhan, Kenny Lin, Eddie Peng, Huang Xuan;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: fantasy, action, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,9;
More information about the film “The Great Wall” on the website imdb.com
“Confucius”, 2015
Director: Fei Deng, Dong Yan
Directed by Hu Mei, this biographical film depicts the life and teachings of the legendary Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius, showcasing his struggle to promote his ideologies during the era of the Spring and Autumn period.
Starring: Minglin Qiao, Yonglin Yu, Roger Ames, Daniel A. Bell, Annping Chin, Deping Kong, James Kong, Lingshan Kong, Xianglin Kong, Michael Nylan;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: documentary, biography;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
These films provide a cinematic journey through different aspects of Ancient China's history, portraying both the grandeur and the complexity of those times.
In conclusion, films about ancient China serve as a rich and vibrant tapestry, intricately woven with the threads of history, legend, and cinematic artistry. From the grand scale battles depicted in “Red Cliff” to the intimate character study within “Farewell My Concubine,” these films provide viewers with a deep cultural immersion, granting a better understanding of China's past. They celebrate and critique the complexities of human nature and power dynamics that defined one of the world's oldest civilizations. Whether it be through the lens of epic heroism or the subtle nuance of courtly intrigue, the genre continues to captivate audiences with its timeless stories and enduring themes, ensuring that the spirit and essence of ancient China remain indelible in the world of cinema.
