Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Detailed Summary

The Legendary Sword: Green Destiny

The film begins with renowned warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) deciding to retire from his life as a swordsman. He entrusts his sword, the legendary Green Destiny, to his close friend and fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). She delivers the sword to Sir Te, a respected nobleman, for safekeeping. However, the sword is soon stolen by a mysterious masked thief, setting off a thrilling series of events.

The Secret Identity of Jen Yu

The thief is revealed to be Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), a young aristocrat with secret martial arts skills. Trapped by societal expectations, she envies the freedom of warriors like Shu Lien and Mu Bai. Though engaged to be married, she secretly dreams of living the life of a rogue swordswoman.

The Chase Begins: Shu Lien vs. Jen Yu

Yu Shu Lien quickly discovers Jen’s involvement and confronts her. The ensuing duel is one of the film’s most iconic scenes, featuring breathtaking choreography and stunning wire-fu sequences. Though Shu Lien is more experienced, Jen’s raw talent and Green Destiny’s power make her a formidable opponent.

Li Mu Bai’s Attempt to Mentor Jen

Li Mu Bai recognizes Jen’s potential and offers to train her in the true ways of Wudan, a prestigious martial arts school. Jen refuses, driven by her rebellious nature and desire for independence. Meanwhile, the villainous Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-Pei), Jen’s secret mentor and a long-time adversary of Mu Bai, lurks in the shadows.

The Desert Romance: Lo and Jen

The film shifts to a flashback where Jen’s romance with Lo (Chang Chen), a desert bandit, is revealed. Their passionate relationship is marked by a mix of love, conflict, and longing. Despite their deep bond, Jen’s return to her aristocratic life forces them apart.

The Final Confrontations

The climax unfolds with a series of intense confrontations. Mu Bai battles Jade Fox in a deadly encounter but is poisoned during the fight. In a tragic moment, Mu Bai succumbs to the poison before he can fully express his love for Shu Lien, leaving them both with unspoken feelings.

Jen’s Fate

In the closing scene, Jen visits Lo at the remote mountain. He recounts a legend about a man who jumped off a mountain, trusting that his faith would allow him to fly. Jen silently leaps into the abyss, her fate left ambiguous, symbolizing the themes of freedom, destiny, and sacrifice.

Movie Ending

The film’s ending is deliberately open to interpretation. Jen’s leap represents a culmination of her internal struggle between duty and freedom. Whether she survives or perishes is left unanswered, embodying the film’s exploration of personal choice and spiritual transcendence.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” does not feature any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

This film is a wuxia epic, blending martial arts, fantasy, romance, and drama. It is known for its poetic storytelling, intricate fight choreography, and profound themes of honor, duty, and love.

Cast

• Chow Yun-Fat as Li Mu Bai
• Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien
• Zhang Ziyi as Jen Yu
• Chang Chen as Lo “Dark Cloud”
• Cheng Pei-Pei as Jade Fox

Film Music and Composer

Tan Dun composed the score, and Yo-Yo Ma performed the cello solos. The music blends traditional Chinese instruments with orchestral elements, enhancing the film’s aesthetic.

Filming Locations

• Huangshan Mountain, China: The mist-covered mountains provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s spiritual and ethereal atmosphere.
• Anji Bamboo Forest, China: The iconic bamboo forest fight sequence was filmed here, showcasing the fluidity and grace of the martial arts choreography.
• Beijing, China: Various interior scenes were shot in historic temples and palaces.

These locations add a layer of authenticity and beauty, enhancing the film’s visual storytelling.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Won Best Foreign Language Film, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director (Ang Lee).
• Golden Globe Awards: Won Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director.
• BAFTA Awards: Won Best Film Not in the English Language, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The cast underwent rigorous martial arts training before filming. Michelle Yeoh performed many of her stunts despite suffering a knee injury during production.
• The team shot the bamboo fight scene under extremely challenging conditions, using extensive wire work.
• Director Ang Lee insisted on preserving the authenticity of the Mandarin language despite concerns about the international audience’s reception.

Inspirations and References

• Source Material: The film is based on the fourth novel in the “Crane-Iron” series by Wang Dulu, a celebrated Chinese wuxia author.
• Wuxia Tradition: The film draws heavily from traditional Chinese martial arts literature, emphasizing themes of honor, loyalty, and forbidden love.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Although no major alternate endings have officially surfaced, deleted scenes expand on the backstory of minor characters and extend fight sequences.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• Adaptation: The film condenses several complex subplots from the original novel and alters character motivations for a more streamlined narrative.
• Character Focus: The novel delves deeper into the characters’ inner conflicts and relationships, providing richer context for their actions.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The Bamboo Forest Fight: The graceful duel between Mu Bai and Jen in the swaying bamboo trees.
• Shu Lien vs. Jen: The intense showdown in the teahouse where Shu Lien wields multiple weapons against Jen’s Green Destiny.
• Mu Bai’s Final Moments: The heart-wrenching scene where Mu Bai confesses his love for Shu Lien as he dies.

Iconic Quotes

• “The things we touch have no permanence. My master would say… there is nothing we can hold onto in this world. Only by letting go can we truly possess what is real.” – Li Mu Bai
• “To repress one’s feelings only makes them stronger.” – Yu Shu Lien
• “A faithful heart makes wishes come true.” – Lo

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Green Destiny sword symbolizes not just power but the burdens of destiny and honor that weigh heavily on the characters.
• The film’s use of color contrasts—especially green and red—reflect the tension between tradition and rebellion.

Trivia

• “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” became the highest-grossing foreign-language film in the United States, earning over $213 million worldwide.
• Michelle Yeoh learned Mandarin phonetically for her role, as she was not fluent at the time.
• The crew shot the film over eight months, performing extensive location work and choreographing complex action scenes.

Why Watch?

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is a visually stunning masterpiece that seamlessly blends action, romance, and philosophy. Its poetic storytelling, combined with breathtaking fight sequences and emotional depth, make it a timeless film.

Director’s Other Movies

• Sense and Sensibility (1995)
• The Ice Storm (1997)
• Brokeback Mountain (2005)
• Life of Pi (2012)
• Lust, Caution (2007)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Hero (2002)
• House of Flying Daggers (2004)
• The Grandmaster (2013)
• The Assassin (2015)
• Ashes of Time (1994)