Ye yan (Legend of the Black Scorpion) (The Banquet) poster & wallpaper

Ziyi Zhang, Daniel Wu, Xun Zhou

Blending dazzling choreography, dramatic camerawork and a Shakespeare tragedy, LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION debuts as a two-disc Ultimate Edition DVD set February 26th under the Dragon Dynasty label f...( read more  read more... )rom Genius Products and The Weinstein Company. Hong Kong's 2006 Academy Award entry for Best Foreign Language Film, LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION stage is set in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period of 10th Century China, featuring elaborate period costumes and sets. Starring stunning Golden GlobeŽ nominee Zhang Ziyi (Memoirs Of A Geisha, Rush Hour 2) and directed by Feng Xiaogang (A Sign, A World Without Thieves), LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION features intricate fight scenes from Jingwu Ma (Seven Swords) and Yuen Woo-Ping (fight choreographer, Matrix and Kill Bill films). Dealing with themes of revenge and fate, the beautiful yet morose musical score of LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION by OscarŽ winner Tan Dun (Best Music, Original Score, 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) enhances the tone of the film by combining Western classical with Chinese classical music. SYNOPSIS: Scheming royals and other officials seek to conquer empires and consolidate power to form a single omnipotent dynasty. Against this backdrop, a legendary empress (Zhang) with fighting skills unparalleled by any man, harbors forbidden desires for her stepson.

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63% liked it

5,797 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 2 hrs. 11 min.

Directed by: Xiaogang Feng

Release Date: August 30, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Stats: 616 reviews

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Feng Xiao-Gang Ge You as The Emperor official film still official film still Ye Yan Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Huang Xiaoming as the Marshall's son Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan Ye yan (Legend of the Black Scorpion) (The Banquet) Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan
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Flixster Reviews (616)

  • Gx7
    November 4, 2007
    Gx7
    This movie is one hell of a masterpiece! Anyone who has a passion for theater arts would surely love this!
    Note: Get a copy with proper subtitles!!
  • kenstachnik
    July 20, 2007
    kenstachnik
    Very pretty...very indulgent...very whatever...
  • susanriley
    January 24, 2007
    susanriley
    Sets and scenery beyond compare. Beautifully, haunting score. For those who know East Asian Cinema is more than just martial arts. Zhang Ziyi give one of the best performances I've seen as an actress.
  • habitualdamnation
    December 7, 2006
    habitualdamnation
    Beautiful.
  • bbcfloridabound
    March 30, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    Outstanding Movie, A Romeo & Jullet / Hamlet Story in Asian Theme, love the way people just float thur the air when fighting, much better then the ole school Kung Fu Movies (trash Can Lids). Rent or Buy you will not be sorry.
  • RThornhill
    July 1, 2009
    RThornhill
    recommended by arcticheather. Hamlet in China, I'm in!
  • franx1111
    June 16, 2009
    franx1111
    another great shakespeare asian flick.. awesome action scenes
  • skactopus
    June 11, 2009
    skactopus
    Xiaogang Feng creates a loose adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet known as The Banquet.

    The story involves deceit, betrayal, and all the other good stuff in the royal court. It does have a play-like feel to it with a run time of 2 hours and 10 minutes and

    ...( read more)a pace that is quite slow. Yes, the film does drag at times, however the cinematography, costuming, settings, and acting save this film from total boredom. Besides, the final 30 minutes, which is the banquet scene, is highly intriguing. Hence, The Banquet.

    The action is minimal, and like mostly everything else in this film, very dramatic. Most of the shots are in slow motion and the orchestra type music tones down the bloody encounters. One of the sequences is more of a dance than a fight too. The martial arts choreography is there and it is a shame that a good portion of it isn't seen in real time speed.

    The acting is good, albeit seemingly unemotional at times. Zhang Ziyi keeps the viewer at bay as she keeps switching sides with her actions. Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun, and Ge You round out the rest of the major cast.

    The Banquet is not the most entertaining of films, as it is mostly for people that enjoy theatrical arts. It is worth a check out if time allows.
  • litanov
    May 16, 2009
    litanov
    Adegan dan settingnya bagus dan filosofis. Ceritanya juga lumayan bagus dan ... ada kejutannya di akhir film yang bikin penasaran
  • donnarenee2006
    March 29, 2009
    donnarenee2006
    What a dramatic story! Very beautiful and choreographed movie. I loved the action sequences and stunning scenery. A love story with a tragic ending, it will captivate you. :) Awesome movie.

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Comments

  • dannycook123
    February 26, 2007
    dannycook123
    This movie looks well cool cant wait to see it.

    Also the fans of Zhang Ziyi maybe interested in the below piece of text.

    All FANS of ZHANG ZIYI who are on BEBO please become a GROUPIE of ZHANG ZIYI's FAN page at,

    http://Zhang-Ziyi-Fans. bebo.com

    thanks.

    P.S Zhang Ziyi is rules.
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