Warriors of Heaven and Earth (Tian di ying xiong) (2004)
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68% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(4,908 ratings)
Directed by He Ping, the multi-layered Warriors of Heaven and Earth combines traditional Chinese cinema with the hallmarks of spaghetti Westerns. Set in the eastern portion of the Silk Road, a popular eighth century Asian trade route, the film chronicles the stories of two heroes: Tang Dynasty… More Directed by He Ping, the multi-layered Warriors of Heaven and Earth combines traditional Chinese cinema with the hallmarks of spaghetti Westerns. Set in the eastern portion of the Silk Road, a popular eighth century Asian trade route, the film chronicles the stories of two heroes: Tang Dynasty imperial emissary Lai Xi (Kiichi Nakai) and soldier-turned-mercenary "Butcher" Li (Jiang Wen). After having served the Chinese emperor for some 20 years, Lai is eager to return home, though he must complete a final task before doing so; specifically, tracking down Li, as he once led a mutiny against the emperor's orders. Li, meanwhile, is busy recruiting a caravan to help him escort a Buddhist monk to the capital of China. While Lai is successful in finding Li, they agree to postpone their duel-to-the-death until the monk has been safely transported. Of course, after dealing with marauding Turks, the heat of the desert, and local bandits, it becomes unclear whether either man will survive to kill the other. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Directed By
- He Ping, Ping He
- Written By
- He Ping, Zhang Rui
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 3, 2004 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 7, 2004
- Studio
- Sony Picture Classics
Critic Reviews
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Andrew Sun, Hollywood Reporter
The acting is uniformly compelling.
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Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Unfortunately, the two main protagonists, Lieutenant Li and Lai Xi, are too much the strong, silent type to engage us as heroes, or even characters.
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Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
There's no denying its visual appeal.
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G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
Monotonous.
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Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Remarkable for its stimulating, metaphor-rich setting.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Jiang Wen
as Capt. Li "Butcher" Zai
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Kiichi Nakai
as Lai Xi
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Wang Xueqi
as Master An
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Wei Zhao
as Wen Zhu
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Hasi Bagen
as Cao Jian
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He Tao
as Ma Gun
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Harrison Liu
as Wu Lao'er
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Wang Deshun
as Old Diehard
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Yang Haiquan
as Baldy
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Yeerjiang Mahepushen
as Turkish Emissary
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Yun Zhou
as Juewei The Monk
- Hou Chuan'gao
- Li Haibin
- Li Wei
- Du Yuming
- Wang Handong
- Tuerxunjiang Zunong
- Huang He
- Sang Baozhong
- Wang Xue Qi
- Kichi Nakai
- Eduardo Noriega
- Eloy Azorin
- Jlang Wen
