# The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)

> A grand, tragic Chinese historical epic about a concubine caught between an assassin's mission, personal loyalty, and a tyrant's campaign to unify the realm.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/5475

## Facts

- Runtime: 162 min
- Genres: History, Drama
- Director: Chen Kaige
- Cast: Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian, Wang Zhiwen, Sun Zhou, Chen Kaige, Pan Changjiang, Zhao Benshan
- TMDB rating: 6.9/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162866/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: brutal
- Mood: austere, tragic, intense, historical drama night, arthouse cinema viewing

## Synopsis

A tale of loyalty and betrayal unfolds in ancient China as political machinations threaten to tear apart a kingdom.

## Movies like The Emperor and the Assassin

- [Ju Dou (1990)](https://ember.film/movie/26854)
- [Red Sorghum (1988)](https://ember.film/movie/27033)
- [1911 (2011)](https://ember.film/movie/53599)
- [Seven Swords (2005)](https://ember.film/movie/5766)
- [Raise the Red Lantern (1991)](https://ember.film/movie/5492)
- [Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/988)
- [The Banquet (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/8542)
- [The Promise (2005)](https://ember.film/movie/1367)
- [Hero (2002)](https://ember.film/movie/51)
- [The Assassin (2015)](https://ember.film/movie/144425)

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