Moviola > Films > Hero

Hero (12A)   96 mins

"This land doesn't know a real hero. Yet."

Director Zhang Yimou brings martial arts cinema to the mainstream. Sheriff Nameless arrives at the palace of the King of Qin, claiming that he has defeated and killed the three great assassins, Sky, Snow and Broken Sword, who threaten the King's attempts to unite China under a Qin dynasty. As Nameless recounts his victories to the King through a series of flashbacks, the King must decide whether or not he believes Nameless to be an ally or fears him as another assassin.

"The fight scenes are riveting and cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love) shoots everything from soaring arrows to falling leaves with a poet's eye"  Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"A film like Hero demonstrates how the martial arts genre transcends action and violence and moves into poetry, ballet and philosophy."  Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Screenings of this film are supported by South West Screen.

Last modified: 20-Jun-2008

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