Flying Swords of Dragon Gate

Plot

The Emperor's eunuchs have gained power and influence; the East Bureau and West Bureau spy and police the nation. They visit the shipyards, but only as a cover to execute those who would try and report their taking of bribes to the Emperor. Wandering hero Zhao Huai'an fights the leader of the East Bureau, defeating him and putting his head in a box and hanging it as a warning to other corrupt officials.

The Emperor's chief concubine asks the West Bureau why they waste time on power struggles when she only wants them to prevent the Emperor impregnating anyone aside from her. Three pregnant courtesans have been executed, a fourth is being hunted down. Officials stop a riverboat and are about to execute a woman, but a masked hero intervenes. Zhao watches from nearby and the masked hero also claims to be Zhao. The imposter helps the courtesan flee to Dragons Gate, Zhao and his followers decide to fight the West Bureau to help delay them and aid in the escape.

As a sandstorm threatens and drives most travelers away, a few groups driven by different agendas are determined to stay in the desert at the famous Dragons Gate Inn. Amidst rumors of an ancient city and with Zhao Huai'an and the leader of the West Bureau approaching, events are about to unfold with the Dragons Gate Inn as the stage for an all-out clash.

Cast

• Jet Li as Zhao Huai'an
• Zhou Xun as Ling Yanqiu
• Chen Kun as Yu Huatian and Wind Blade
• Li Yuchun as Gu Shaotang
• Gwei Lun-mei as Zhang Xiao Wen/Tribal princess
• Louis Fan as Ma Jinliang
• Mavis Fan as Su Huirong
• Wu Di as Zhao Tong
• Zhuang Guoqi
• Li Yuan as Kuo Zheng
• Sheng Chien as Tan Luzi
• Gordon Liu as Wan Yulou
• Zhang Xinyu as Royal Consort Wan
• Zha Ka (aka Han Feixing) as H'Gantga

Production

Although this film is based on the story of 1992's New Dragon Gate Inn, Tsui denied that this film would be a remake of the old classic but more of a re-imagining. Tsui also worked on the screenplay in addition to directing and producing the film, to ensure the originality of the story. Jet Li was signed with US$12 million contracts to star in this film. Li explained his reason for joining this film stating,

I have acquired an affinity with wuxia since young, which led me onto the path of filmmaking and thereby changing my entire destiny. Director Tsui Hark has placed me upon an enigmatic and vibrant stage, adding another layer of sentimental experience to my life. Stepping into this showbiz, allowed me to look at life from a different angle, and I have never felt that I had ever left the wuxia world.}}

Actress Zhou Xun was also quoted for her reason for joining this film and she explains,

Tsui also invited Chuck Comisky, the visual-effects supervisor for James Cameron's Avatar, as the 3-D director to manage the special effects. Comisky will lead a team of 3D crew from China, Korea, Singapore, Spain, etc.

References

References

1. "FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE". [[Hong Kong Cinemagic]].
2. Kuipers, Richard. (21 December 2011). "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate".
3. "Swords Hover Over Dragon Gate Inn". Wu-Jing.org.
4. James Marsh. (2012-05-12). "CHINA BEAT: Tsui Hark & Bona Exploring 3D Together". [[Twitch Film.
5. (2012-01-20). "18 World Premieres in the Competition". berlinale.de.
6. (2012-01-23). "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate receives the most Asian Film Award nominations". Asia Pacific Arts.
7. "'The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate' Starts Filming". English.cri.cn.
8. "Jet Li Nets $12 Million for New Action Role".
9. "The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate starts filming". China.org.cn.