The Assassins

2012
5.5| 1h47m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 26 September 2012 Released
Producted By: Beijing Enlight Pictures
Country: China
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

In the year 198, Cao Cao, Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, ventured to the east and defeated China's greatest warrior Lu Bu, terrifying every ambitious warlord across the country. Several years later, after taking the Han Emperor under his wing, Cao crowns himself King of Wei. He built a magnificent Bronze Sparrow Island to symbolize his power and rumors spread that he would replace the Emperor. Meanwhile, young lovers Mu Shun and Ling Ju are taken from a prison camp to a hidden tomb, where they spend five cruel years together, training as assassins for a secret mission. In the year 220 astronomical signs predict dramatic change. As a result, Cao's son Cao Pi and Cao's followers urge Cao to become the new Emperor - but unknown opposing forces plot against him.

Genre

Drama, History

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Director

Zhao Lin-Shan

Production Companies

Beijing Enlight Pictures

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The Assassins Audience Reviews

TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film
Console best movie i've ever seen.
Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.
ghent1 Not a bad film but not in the same league with the very best in the genre. For that the film builds too much on overblown (Asian) sentimentalism and shock surprises. Many things about this movie are not bad but could be better. For instance, I found the music a bit too cheeky to make this a genuinely stylish and balanced film: at times it was more of the quality of soap opera's, a trap the movie itself sometimes is in danger of falling into as a whole. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching the movie but only because I love the genre more in general. If you want to see something better, and without resorting to the classics by Zhang Yimou, watch The Banquet, a movie which gets the sort of things right with which this piece is struggling.
namathieu This movie depicts a fantastic representation of the Three Kingdoms era of China. Not only does it have a good compelling story, great camera work, Chow-Yun Fat, and an amazing way of telling said great story, it also shows a good side of Cao Cao, the portrayal of him is just perfect. Most works usually make him out to be a villain, but this shows his true self. It throws in a few characters who may or may not have been real. But that adds to how much one can perceive the characters actions. This movie is truly worth a watch. If you like ancient China, Chow-Yun Fat, or real neat movies, this one takes the cake. So to anyone reading this, you will not make a mistake by watching this grand movie.
blackmamba99971 I found this to be a wonderful look at the end of the Han Dynasty. Chow Yun Fat who plays the famed General Cao Cao for the emperor Xian (Alec Su)falls into despair when he learns of a coo against him. Seeing as the emperor has enemies all over China, in his paranoia included General Cao with his delusions. Yet in the middle is a young girl who along with another was kidnapped in order to be honed into an assassin.Taught by an evil doctor named Doctor Yuen (Roy Cheung) to kill a friend or die. Seeing as this presented many complications to this girl Gong Ling Ju (Yifei Liu), she tried to keep her resolve in assassinating Cao Cao, but with the driving force to live, held deep in her heart, that the general is not all that is told about him is true.With the royal courts and the emperor against the general, Gong Ling comes to realize he was only protecting Xian all along. But with growing troubles in the hierarchy it became impossible to kill him. I found this to be a great representation of an old story of the past. It was known that the Han dynasty held a very troubled king, and how his growing paranoia led to his abdication. To see such ways of creating assassins to carry out an order to kill, was also a unique expression on just how bad it was back then. To use human lives in the name of royalty. The doctor was evil, even though he played the part of the kind physician he was actually beyond help in his own delusions from the emperor. Great music, wonderful acting on everyone's part.Most of which goes to Chow Yun Fat who I have admired for years. Plus one other person who I thought played the son of Cao to the letter. A troubled lad who didn't know where his loyalties laid. To become the son again through a warning, and to live on for his father's sake.Cao Pi(Qiu Xinzhi) lived up to his father's name and became emperor just after Xian, another great actor I think. All in all, it's a love triangle,full of betrayal, paranoia both in the courts, and in the minds of those around Cao Cao, the emperor, and the people. A very turbulent time, a very dark past in China's history. Highly recommended to those over 17.
dworldeater The Assassins is a epic drama in The Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. Centering on Wei Kingdom warlord Cao Cao played wonderful by Chow Yun Fat. This film focuses on military tactics, politics ,and relationships of Cao Cao in his later years. This deals with Cao Cao 's relationships with his son, the emperor as well as a love triangle between his would be assassin /concubine and her lover. Really, a good character study of Cao Cao and well done drama . The sets, cinematography, costumes and acting are excellent . While this is 'nt an action piece, the action /battle scenes that are included are well done.People who only want action are better off sticking with The Three Kingdoms ROTD, and Red Cliff. I love those movies too, but I did enjoy this film also. Great drama from Chow Yun Fat . Thumbs up.