He Ping, the director of the cult classic SWORDSMAN IN DOUBLE FLAG TOWN and the better-known RED FIRECRACKER, GREEN FIRECRACKER, enters the big time with WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, an epic battle between two heroic figures fighting for themselves and for their countries. When Li (Jiang Wen) refuses to kill innocent women and children, he becomes a rogue soldier without a land. Master swordsman Lai Xi (Nakai Kiichi) is ordered to assassinate him if wants to get back to to his home in Japan and see his mother before she dies. But first they must join together to help a caravan with precious cargo make its way safely across the desert--with a beautiful woman, Wen Zhu (SHAOLIN SOCCER's Zhao Wei), caught in between them. The gorgeous cinematography is by Zhao Fei, who shot such Asian epics as RAISE THE RED LANTERN as well as such Woody Allen films as SWEET AND LOWDOWN and SMALL TIME CROOKS. The lush look of the film is echoed by A.R. Rahman's marvelous score and outstanding costuming and set design. Ping masterfully recreates seventh-century China as horses and camels lead the protagonists down the famous Silk Road during the time of the Tang Dynasty.
IN THEATRES: SEPTEMBER 3, 2004 (NY/LA)
DVD Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.40
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Mandarin
Subtitles - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish - Optional
Stars
Jiang Wen: Chinese Actor
Kiichi Nakai: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Wang Xueqi: Actor/"Yellow Earth"
Vicki Zhao: Taiwanese actress, MY DREAM GIRL
Harrison Liu: ACTOR\"BLACK ROBE"
Hasi Bagen: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
He Tao: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Wang Deshun: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Yang Haiquan: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Yeerjiang Mahepushen: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Zhou Yun: Actor, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Director
He Ping: Chinese Director
Producer
Wang Zhongjun: Associate Producer, DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP (2002)
Screenwriter
Zhang Rui: Screenwriter, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
He Ping: Chinese Director
Composer
Padmashree A. R. Rahman: Music, LAGAAN (2002)
Matt Dunkley: Composer, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004)
Action Director/Arranger
Steve Tung-Wai: Director - EXTREME CHALLENGE
Director of Photography
Zhao Fei: Director of Photography, CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION (2001)
Review 1:
"[Zhao Fei] turns his eye to the desolate ochre beauty of the western provinces. And the unadorned sight is as refreshing as an oasis."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.145 09/10/2004
Review 2:
"His panoramic epic should wow any viewer with the natural splendor of white deserts, red mountains and green valleys."
Source: New York Times
p.E9 09/03/2004
Review 3:
"A beautiful film with gorgeous natural locales....Chock full of battles with bravura swordplay, a sandstorm, much evil plotting, colorful costumes and a richly varied and evocative score..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.E13 09/03/2004