Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Binding: DVD
EAN: 5035822904637
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
Label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Languages: Mandarin ChineseOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 SurroundEnglishSubtitledEnglishDubbedDolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Region Code: 2
Release Date: February 11, 2002
Running Time: 161 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: December 09, 1999

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk Review:
Set in 221 BC, The Emperor and the Assassin 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.

Though this was the most expensive film ever made in China, director Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine) nevertheless retains a tight reign on character and psychology, recalling Kurosawa's Ran (1985) and Kagemusha (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 Gladiator and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it can be as confusing and jarringly edited as the original (pre-director's cut) version of The Last Emperor (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.

On the DVD: The Emperor and the Assassin'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.--Gary S. Dalkin




Rating: - Frustrating
Guests and I were disappointed with the English subtitling: there were reams and reams of speech in exchange for one very slow very short English translation which you knew instinctively fell short of the original. It's not that we dislike subtitles. I am French and love to watch foreign films especially chinese films. I can't help thinking that there's simply something wrong with the subtitling (technically).

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Rating: - Visually remarkable, dramatically absorbing
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, ... Read More

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Rating: - Grand spectacle, burning cities, imperial stratagems and children flinging themselves from walls. Not bad
A besieging army is in its final attack against the great city. High on the battlements parents and courtiers are bringing the children. They range in age from four or five to the early teens. Then the adults urge the children to throw themselves onto the swords and spears of the enemy soldiers below. Throw themselves they do. After the city has been taken and most of the inhabitants slaughtered, the remaining children, who could be a threat if they seek revenge when they grow up, are buried alive ... Read More

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Rating: - Chinese Epic - like Hero through a different lens
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 'chinese' 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.
The plot revolves around Ying Zheng (King of Qin) and his 'quest' to unify the other six kingdoms under his rule.
The film begins with ... Read More

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Rating: - A Chinese Epic
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.

The film revolves around 3 people:

Emperor/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 ... Read More

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