Amazon Prime Video original film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was released January 12th, 2001.
#CTHD made $213.9M at the international box office.
rottentomatoes: 98%
metacritic: 94
imdb: 7.9
oscars: 4 wins
golden globes: 2 wins
Jen Yu
Jen Yu is thrown into an arranged marriage in Peking, China.
“I’m your guest today. I am Governor Yu’s daughter. I was just looking for a quiet corner. It’s heavy for such a thin piece of metal! But I have had much practice. As a child in the West, a platoon lived with us. They’d let me play with their weapons. The scabbard is so beautiful. Exquisite! You said it belongs to…? Li Mu Bai! The famous warrior? Why would he give his sword to Sir Te? You’re a sword fighter too? Really?” — Jen Yu
“It must be exciting to be a fighter, to be totally free! I’ve read all about people like you. Roaming wild, beating up anyone who gets in your way! But you’re just like the characters in the stories. You know what I mean. I’m getting married soon, but I haven’t lived the life I want. You’re not married, are you? No! You couldn’t roam around freely if you were.” — Jen Yu
“Please sit. Put them down. Do you know her? I’ll socialize with whomever I please. I’m tired now! It’ll be just the same. Enough. I’m tired.” — Jen Yu
Master Li Mu Bai
“How’s everything? It has. How’s business? Fine. I left the training early. During my meditation training… …I came to a place of deep silence. I was surrounded by light. Time and space disappeared. I had come to a place my master had never told me about. No… I didn’t feel the bliss of enlightenment. Instead… …I was surrounded by an endless sorrow. I couldn’t bear it. I broke off my meditation. I couldn’t go on. There was something pulling me back.”
“Something I can’t let go of. You’re leaving soon? Perhaps I could ask you… …to deliver something to Sir Te for me. I am. He has always been our greatest protector. Too many men have died at its edge. It only looks pure because blood washes so easily from its blade. It’s time for me to leave it behind. First, I must visit my master’s grave.”
“It’s been many years… …since Jade Fox murdered him. I have yet to avenge his death. And yet I’m thinking of quitting. I must pray for his forgiveness. Perhaps.”
Shu Lien
“Mu Bai. It’s been too long. Good. And how are you? Monk Zheng said you were at Wuden Mountain. He said you were practicing deep meditation. The mountain must be so peaceful. I envy you. My work keeps me so busy, I hardly get any rest. Why? You’re a Wudan fighter. Training is everything.”
“You were enlightened? What was it? We’re preparing a convoy… …for a delivery to Peking. The Green Destiny sword? You’re giving it to Sir Te? I don’t understand. How can you part with it? It has always been with you. You use it justly. You’re worthy of it. So, what will you do now? Come with me to Peking. You can give the sword to Sir Te yourself. It’ll be just like old times.”
“Join me once you have finished. I can wait for you in Peking. Thanks. Let’s get into the city. Just doing my job. Sir Te, it has brought him as much trouble as glory. Help him to leave these troubles behind. Otherwise, he’ll never be able to start anew. You’ve always been so good to Li Mu Bai and me. Please accept our thanks.”
“Please, Sir Te, what is it? I don’t know. I beg your pardon. Li Mu Bai and I aren’t cowards. The handle is heavy/ And the blade is no ordinary metal. Still, the sword is the lightest of weapons. You’re just not used to handling it. Beautiful but dangerous. Once you see it tainted with blood, its beauty is hard to admire. It’s 400 years old. My friend Li Mu Bai. He’s given it to Sir Te as a gift. You’re too young to understand. Yes, I am. But I prefer the machete. Certain moves, however, call for a sword.”
“Fighters have rules too: friendship, trust, integrity. Without rules, we wouldn’t survive for long. Writers wouldn’t sell any books if they told how it really is. Sure. No place to bathe for days, sleeping in flea-infested beds… they tell you about all that in those books? So I heard. Congratulations. It’s the most important step in a woman’s life, isn’t it? What do you think? You’re probably right.”
“Return the sword and I’ll let you go. You’ve been trained at Wudan?”
Sir Te
“This is Li Mu Bai’s personal sword… …a great hero’s weapon. He is the only one in the world… …worthy of carrying it. It’s too fine a gift. I cannot accept it. All right. I’ll act as the sword’s custodian. I must change. Please do not be such a stranger. You’ll stay the night as my guest. Now, Shu Lien… …tell me something. And forgive me for prying. Your father was a great friend to me… …and I think of you as my own daughter.”
“Li Mu Bai giving up his sword… …and his warrior days… …maybe he’s trying to tell you something? Don’t be coy. I’ve always known about your feelings for each other. All these years, it’s a shame… …neither of you is brave enough to admit the truth to the other. You’re both wasting precious time.”
“When it comes to emotions… …even great heroes can be idiots. Tell me if Li Mu Bai is not more open the next time you see him. I’ll give him an earful!”
“Go ahead, Governor Yu. 2 feet 9 inches long. 1.1 inches wide. The handle is 1 inch deep, 2.6 inches wide. 7/10ths of an inch thick. 1.5 inches from ear to ear of the handle. With seven rubies missing from the hilt. You can tell the design dates back to before the Chin era. Engraved with a technique lost by the time of the Han Dynasty.”
“A sword by itself rules nothing. It comes alive through skillful manipulation. The Imperial Court isn’t the problem. With royalty and officials everywhere… …the Royal Guard keeps security tight. But Peking is not like the West. Here, you’ll find all sorts of characters. Proceed with caution in your quest for law and order. Don’t depend only on the court. Contacts in the Giang Hu underworld… …can ensure your position.”
“Be strong yet supple. This is the way to rule.”
Beijing, China
“Master Li is here! Master Li is here! Shu Lien! Shu Lien! Shu Lien! Li Mu Bai is here! Master Li. Fine. Please come in.”
“Okay. Pass. Let’s go!”
Jade Fox
“Let me do it. I’ve made you silk pajamas. Do you want to change into them? I heard you met Shu Lien today. She’s one of those people. Your mother would not want you consorting with her kind. Don’t invite danger into your father’s house. Go to bed, then. Miss has grown up and is getting married soon. God knows what the future will bring.”
“Autumn is coming. I’ll shut the windows for you.”
Peking, China
“Everything got here safely. I’m much obliged. Sun Security has been the best since your father started it. You’re a credit to his memory. I mean it.”
“Governor Yu has arrived. Sir Te said to leave the sword in here. Who are you? This is Sir Te’s study. You are here to…? I am Sir Te’s head servant. And this is another one of our guests.”
“Your knowledge is remarkable, Sir Te. I see your point. Please continue.”
“Governess.”
“Chilly, eh? Yes, Master Bo. There’s a thief! Someone help! Stop him! He’s on the roof! The sword’s been stolen! Stop the thief! Stop him! It’s Jade Fox! We must avenge Mother! Do something! He’s getting away! You’re mistaken. We’re just street performers. We were rehearsing. Father! You were rehearsing? Who are you trying to fool? Where did that thief go? Governor Yu’s house!”
