Chen Kaige, 1998, China (8*)
This is a spectacular looking Chinese historical epic, with seemingly a hundred thousand extras, making it similar in scope and style to the films The Last Emperor and Zhang Yimou’s Hero. Running over 2 ½ hours, this film concerns the emperor of Qin, wonderfully played by Li Xuejian, before the kingdoms of China are unified in 220 B.C., a dictate left him by his ancestors, "unify the seven kingdoms".

His consort is beautifully played, as usual, by Gong Li, one of the great Chinese actresses (who also should have an Oscar®). She has an idea to aid unification (or takeover) to return as a traitor to her province Yan (where she is from), at war with Qin, and get that king to send an assassin back to Qin in order to provoke a war that will allow Qin to take over Yan without the other kingdoms interfering. She ironically finds an assassin, whose story we also are shown, who has vowed never to kill again. (Yes, we are shown why in a beautifully shot flashback).

This is a long, complex plot that keeps you guessing, as no one seems trustworthy or loyal, everyone has a reason to kill the other. Cinematically excellent and very well directed, this has some terrific shots of ancient armies and attacks on cities, but spends a lot of time in the courts, where the acting is all superb, creating a Shakespearean level drama. Everything looks beautifully opulent, from the sets to the costumes. I loved the pool with the submerged bridge that is elevated for visitors to the court. Any fan of epics, Chinese films, or historical costume dramas will not be disappointed.