Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- flamboyant
- playful
- action movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's energetic wuxia action and visual ambition while finding its crowded plotting and character work uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The East Bureau, West Bureau, eunuch officials, and competing loyalties drive the conflict alongside the swordplay.
A masked fighter claims to be Zhao Huai'an while the actual Zhao observes nearby, creating identity confusion.
The Dragon Gate setting and its sandstorms provide a distinctive visual and choreographic environment for the climactic action.
Zhao Huai'an and his allies oppose the bureaus' corruption, policing, and politically motivated killings.
Films like Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, and why
Once Upon a Time in China
wuxia swordplay, corrupt imperial officials, heroic outlaws, and elaborate action choreography
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
stylized martial arts spectacle, political intrigue, divided loyalties, and period Chinese setting
The Blade
high-energy wuxia adventure, masked identities, palace conspiracies, and visually flamboyant combat
The Grandmaster
period martial arts action centered on rival factions, honor, and spectacular choreography
Movie Details
- Director
- Tsui Hark
- Release Date
- 2011-12-15
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (252)
Cast
- Jet Li
- Zhou Xun
- Chen Kun
- Gwei Lun-Mei
- Chris Lee Yuchun
- Louis Fan Siu-Wong
- Mavis Fan
- Du Yiheng
- Zhang Xinyu
- Sheng Chien
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Flying Swords of Dragon Gate about?
- A flamboyant wuxia revolt pits a legendary swordsman and his allies against corrupt eunuch police amid identity games and sandstorm duels.
- What is Flying Swords of Dragon Gate like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Flying Swords of Dragon Gate violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Flying Swords of Dragon Gate as graphic.
- What did critics think of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's energetic wuxia action and visual ambition while finding its crowded plotting and character work uneven.
- Which films are like Flying Swords of Dragon Gate?
- Films with a similar feel include Once Upon a Time in China, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, The Blade, and The Grandmaster.
- How long is Flying Swords of Dragon Gate?
- Flying Swords of Dragon Gate runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Flying Swords of Dragon Gate?
- In United States, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate streams on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
