Das unbesiegbare Schwert

The "Bride with White Hair" is often defined as a wuxiapian version of "Romeo and Juliet": indeed it's amusing, as we follow this tale of two warriors united by love but separated by their belonging to opposite clans, to ponder on the many joints with Shakespeare's tragedy.

For half of the movie (i.e. 45 minutes), it qualifies as being one of the most astounding fantasy movies I ever saw: firstly, it captures the spectator by showing beautiful images and settings (and I'm sure Cho Yi-hang [Leslie Cheung] is not the only one who dropped, out of bewilderment, his jaw!). Secondly, it creates an aura of mystery around the female lead Lien Ni-chang [Lin Ching Hsia], an assassin who is not less beautiful than she is deadly with the whip. Indeed, Cho Yi-hang one day accidentally stumbles upon her and, although her face is shrouded by a veil and only her eyes appear to him, inevitably falls for her. Out of trivia, in another movie Lin Ching Hsia reveals just the rest of her face (i.e. masking herself behind a raincoat and sunglasses) and yet spellbinds people - precisely, Takeshi Kaneshiro. Is there any way that people can escape Lin Ching Hsia's charm?

So far for the good points for "Bride": fascinating setting, a clever hero (with an endearing portrait of his childhood included) and an alluring assassin, all surrounded by a thick veil of mystery and folklore.

On the negative side, the second half of the movie. Just as Cho Yi-hang's feelings get corresponded by Lien Ni-chang and we expect that love will provide a new injection of vitality and creativity over the ruthless and cold world they dwell in, the movie sinks into predictability and shallowness: our heroes just don't have the same mutual trust that Romeo and Juliet had and, since their decisions are guided, more than love, by their impulsive nature, I missed being fully emotionally involved into their ending struggle. However, the transformation that overcomes sorrowful Lien Ni-chang is super-cool! 7/10

This is an insanely entertaining movie, which plays more like an opera. It's a wild fantasy about the normal warring clans in ancient China. It has it all, a great love story, Kung Fu fights out the ass with all the flying acrobatics you could want. And best of all Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia as the high flying wolf girl with magical skills. This is a tour de force of everything us Americans liked about "Crouching Tiger". The ending is fabulous, with a Kung Fu fight right out of the comic books. Even director Vu said the final battle he wanted to resemble a pin ball machine. It does, and it's crazy, and he made a movie that I couldn't recommend any higher. I'm looking forward to watching the first sequel very much.

A big, mainstream Chinese movie, "bang bang, kiss kiss", except with swords and sorcery. "Clang clang, kiss kiss". Yet,I liked it.

I was a little worried when it started out, it looked like it might get high-handed or overblown. It's a fine line between mythic and stupid, but the reviews on IMDb were all so glowing, I kept at it. The love story was engaging, very believable, and the conflicts were unique. The movie manages to drop on the mythic side of the line.

One thing I noticed: The values are all what we call Western. The individual over the group, the convictions of the heart over the traditions of the clan, etc., and there was no real question about it. The main character kind of reminded me of James Dean or Montgomery Clift. There was even some actual kissing, too, which I think is a Western thing.

It's well done. I especially liked the acting of the two leads. You might find itinteresting, as long as you don't mind the dark witchy stuff or the definitely R-rated violence.

I'm looking forward to Part II. I feel like I'm crowding into the back of a big Hong Kong movie theater.

Zhuo Yi-Hang (Leslie Cheung) is raised by his master Tzu Yang (Fong Pao) to be his successor in the leadership of their clan. Yi-Hang meets Lien (Brigitte Lin), a warrior adopted by wolves and accepted by a tribe leaded by the evil magic twins Ji Wushuang (Francis Ng / Elaine Lui), in a lake, and they fall in love for each other. Yi-Hang promises to trust her forever. However, Ji Wushuang also loves Lien and she is sent away from their tribe. When the clan of Yi-Hang is attacked, he does not believe on Lien, thinking that she killed his master and cursing their love.

This beautiful and tragic love story, a kind of Chinese version of "Romeo and Juliet", has wonderful cinematography and costumes. The choreography of the fights is also amazing. The non-linear screenplay is a little confused, but when the viewer sees for the second time, it becomes clearer. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Entre o Amor e a Glória" ("Between the Love and the Glory")

One word to describe this film is AMAZING. Liang Yusheng wrote The Bride with White Hair novel and Ronny Yu (Bride of Chucky, Freddy Vs Jason) accurately directed this classic Chinese novel. This movie is a perfect, heart felt, tragic love story. What is so great about this movie is the brilliant acting, incredible cinematography, great music and the most un-like Hollywood ending you'll ever see. Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin played their character very well and their acting was great. Oscar Winner Peter Pau(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) did the cinematography for this movie and it was Excellent. When you finished watching this movie, it can make you feel linger or a strong feel that last for a few hours. In my opinion, Ronny Yu will never be able to top this film. This film can make you want to see the sequel(The Bride with White Hair 2). Just to mention about the sequel, it is not as good as the first one. The only thing in the sequel that is worth seeing is the last ten minutes of the movie.