House of Flying Daggers (2004) - full transcript

CHINA 859 A.D.

After 241 years of prosperity,

the Tang Dynasty is in decline.

The Emperor is weak and incompetent.

His government, crippled by corruption,

no longer controls the land.

Unrest sweeps the country.

Village by village,

an underground alliance forms...

'The House of Flying Daggers'.

Based in Feng Tian County,
near the lmperial Capital,



The House Of Flying Daggers
moves in the shadows,

Stealing From the rich to give to the poor,

they earn the support and
admiration of the people.

At the same time,
they are feared and hated

by their bitter rivals...

the local deputies,

Captain Leo, Captain Jin.

We're heading out on patrol.

We're going to be busy again.

The Provincial Office
has given us ten days

to catch the new leader
of the 'Flying Daggers'.

What?

It took us three months to assassinate

their old leader.



Ten days? Impossible.

Have you heard of the new Peony Pavilion?

Yes.

Does anyone know you there?

No, I haven't been there yet.

Good, now's your chance.

Any information?

We suspect one of the showgirls

is a member of the 'Flying Daggers'.

OK, I'll check it out.

Pull. Pull harder.

Pull harder.

That's it. I'm done.

Madam!

I'm coming.

Madam.

Here I am.

What can I do for you, sir?

I heard you have a new girl.

You're well informed.

Is she pretty?

She's quite a beauty.

Bring her to me.

There is one thing you need to know.

What's that?

The girl is blind.

Blind?

Then she must be special.

I'm curious.

How did you lose your sight?

I was born blind.

Why would a blind girl work here?

Why can't a blind girl work here?

You're right.

What's your name?

Mei.

Mei?

Every girl here is named after a flower.

Why is yours so plain?

I don't want to compete with those girls.

What do you mean?

The flowers here can hardly
be called flowers.

Real flowers bloom in the wilderness.

Well said.

If you impress me

I'll take you to
where the real flowers grow.

What's your talent as the top showgirl?

Dancing.

Come closer.

Don't you know the rules?

A rare beauty in the North.

She's the finest lady on earth.

A glance from her,
the whole city goes down.

A second glance leaves
the nation in ruins.

There exists no city or nation

that has been more cherished

than a beauty like this.

A rare beauty in the North.

She's the finest lady on earth.

A glance from her,
the whole city goes down.

A second glance leaves
the nation in ruins.

There exists no city or nation

that has been more cherished

than a beauty like this.

Please calm down, sir.

Go away.

What's the matter?

Please let me explain.

This girl is young and inexperienced.

Please forgive her.

Take her away.

Go away.

Take her away.

Stop!

Captain.

This is the Captain of the County.

To hell with the captain!

Outrageous! Arrest him.

Let me go.

Who are you?

How dare you! I'm the captain.

You're drunk and indecently dressed.

Arrest both of them.

Get your hands off me.

Let me go.

Please spare the girl, Captain.

That man was drunk.

It was not her fault.

Please don't arrest her.

Our business is new.

I rely on her to bring in guests.

How can a blind girl be a top showgirl?
Move!

She's a dancer with rare skills.

Please see for yourself.

Do you know the 'Echo Game'?

I played it once...

All right.

Perform well and I'll let you go.

Thank you, Captain.

Go and change quickly.

Fantastic.

Excellent!

Who are you, really?

Why do you want to kill me?

Government running dogs...

I wish to kill all of you!

I do enjoy fighting a blind girl.

We found this in her room.

You're a member of the 'Flying Daggers'.

Who's the new leader?

Where's the new leader?

I'll show you

what we'll do if you don't answer.

Show her!

In front of you is a torture device.

Your head will be put here.

Your shoulder, here.

Your back, here.

Your legs, here.

You'll never dance again after this.

Do you understand?

You have one day to think it over.

This girl reminds me of someone.

Who?

Rumor has it,

the old leader's blind daughter

disappeared after his death.

It was a heavy blow
to the 'Flying Daggers'.

They vowed revenge for their loss,

while searching for the girl.

Why would the old leader's daughter

end up in a brothel?

Who owns the Peony Pavilion?

Perhaps the 'Flying Daggers' has realized

we were responsible
for their old leader's death.

Forget it.

Let's turn her over for a reward,

and then go out for a drink.

I have a better idea.

Since we have some clues,

Iet's follow them through
for a bigger reward.

Do you want me to do it?

Of course, who else?

All right. This girl is a rare beauty.

You know I love flirting with girls.

Don't let beauty blind your judgment.

If I die under a skirt,
I can still flirt as a ghost.

Who are you?

I undressed you only yesterday.

Have you forgotten me already?

Why did you rescue me?

Why do you think?

You're an exquisite flower.

I'll do anything to help you.

Control yourself.

Don't worry.

I'm no longer a guest
of the Peony Pavilion.

You're not a showgirl anymore.

You're the daughter of the old leader.

What did you say?

How many blind girls know martial arts

and carry daggers like these?

I've rescued you,

and your daggers as well.

Why did you take such a risk?

I hate the corrupt government

and admire the 'Flying Daggers'.

Much obliged.

Why did we abandon the horses?

Hoof prints can be easily tracked.

I have two new horses hidden ahead.

You've planned well.

What's your name, Master?

Just call me Wind.

Wind?

I wander around all alone,

come and go without a trace.

Like a carefree wind?

No, a playful wind.

You like to tease.

I wonder what you look like?

That's easy to find out.

Here.

Please let go.

This isn't the Peony Pavilion.
No rules here.

You'll know what I look like
if you touch my face.

Come on.

It's not respectful
to touch your face first.

You prefer to start at the bottom.

That's fine with me.

You've mastered the flying technique.

Your right hand is skilled with a machete.

Your left hand is powerful
with a bow and arrow.

Your heart beats steadily,
you seem sincere.

You can read me like a book.

You're a brave man.

I'm never shy around women.

You're young, indeed.

You know how to hold your drink.

The soldiers are approaching.

I've lost my dagger pouch.

I'm sorry I was late.

The 'Flying Daggers' are always moving.

Where should we go?

We just keep heading north.

Just head north?

They will come to us.

The 'Flying Daggers' has many masters.

Why did they send you as an assassin?

No one sent me. I came alone.

As the old leader's daughter,

you should be more cautious.

Have you considered the consequences?

I'll do anything to avenge my father.

Come here.

These are men's clothes.
Put them on for now.

I won't take advantage of you.

Have you seen enough?

Please hand me the clothes.

You knew I was here?

Master Wind wanders like the wind.

I'd expect you to be anywhere.

You look different in men's clothes.

Do I look awful?

I will tell all the girls
to wear men's clothes

the next time I visit the Peony Pavilion.

Now I know

you're not shy around women.

You're not shy either.

How do you know?

You knew I was watching you bathe,

yet you said nothing.

You saved my life.

You can look all you please.

I thought you were hot as fire.

In fact, you're cool as water.

I don't know you well enough.

I really care for you.

A playboy like you, are you ever for real?

What if I am this time?

Are our men close by?

I'm sure today's fighting has fooled Mei.

Our men will ease off from now on.

Good. That'll save me some arrows.

Any clues?

Not yet.

Don't let her see through you.

Don't worry.
I never fail at seducing a woman.

She trusts me.

I warn you, don't fall for her.

What do you mean fall?

Fall into bed?

Like her father, she must be very cunning.

Don't let her fool you.

Don't be absurd.

I'm in control.

I have to get back now.

Don't turn a game into reality
and ruin our plan.

Who cares, as long as the plan works.

Shall we rest for a while?

I smell flowers.

You told me

you'd bring me to where real flowers grow.

Which is the most beautiful?

How do I look?

Pretty as a flower.

Soldiers are approaching.

I'm on your side.

You?

I am a Captain of the County.

A captain?

Nonsense.
You are the bastard who broke the jail.

You're wounded. Is it serious?

No.

Was it someone from the 'Flying Daggers'?

It's not likely.

Then who?

I don't know.

He's gone.

I guess he doesn't want to reveal himself.

This time, I believe that you're for real.

You've done enough for me.

Please leave.

Don't worry about me.

We've come this far.
I can't leave you now.

I hope you're not seriously wounded.

We agreed there would be no more fights.

Why did government soldiers turn up?

The general sent them.

They don't know you.

The general?

How did the general get involved?

This case is important.
I had to report it.

The general is taking over.

The soldiers didn't have to be
that aggressive.

The general ordered it.

He said we need real blood

to draw the 'Flying Daggers' out.

Even if the blood is mine?

Jin,

the soldiers' lives and our lives

are worth nothing to him.

You don't know how I felt

as I killed our own men.

I feel worse. I am tortured.

You?

I truly regret

taking on this mission.

I've followed you all the way.

Endured many sleepless nights.

My heart grows heavy

when I think about what lies ahead.

Is there no other way to do this?

The general said:

It's the only way to expose
the 'Flying Daggers'.

Jin, you should know,

there are more soldiers ahead.

What!

The general sent them.

They don't know you either.

You must stop them.

There is nothing I can do.

The order given to these soldiers

is 'Fight to kill'.

If you don't kill them

they will kill you.

Take care.

I quit!

Where have you been?

I have a question for you.

What question?

Are you for real?

What do you mean?

Do you feel anything for me?

Don't take this so seriously.

I want to know.

I'm a free spirit,

Iike the wind, always moving.

The wind never thinks too much.

I want the wind to stop and think.

The wind cannot stop.

Not even for me?

The wind breezes through without a trace.

Now you understand

why I'm called Wind.

Fine, go and be the wind.

I don't need you anymore!

I don't care if you're true or not,

I have to leave.

I want to end this.

Are you going alone?

I'd like to be the wind for once.

Where will you go?

Who knows. Whichever way the wind blows.

Aren't you going back to
the 'Flying Daggers?

Do you want me to go back?

I've left them, why would I return?

Thank you for all you've done for me.

It's you.

Go.

You said the wind could not stop.

A playful wind stops at will.

You shouldn't have come back.

I came back,

for you.

Nia!

Mei, you're back.

Who will believe
the madam of Peony Pavilion

is the leader of the Flying Daggers!

I behaved badly that day.
Please forgive me.

Did I look like a real madam?

Very much so.

What do you think of Mei?

What do you mean?

I mean her personality, of course.

She's passionate.

Go on.

She may be blind, but she's very bright.

Hardly anyone can match her.

Not even l.

Do you care for her?

You are asking...?

A man and a girl traveling all alone,

what else could I be talking about?

Mei is a rare beauty.

I care for her a lot.

Then, I shall act as the matchmaker

for you two to marry.

Marriage is a big deal.
This is too sudden.

She's not a good match for you?

On the contrary.

Mei is from a respectable family.

I'm just a humble swordsman.

Our old leader loved his daughter dearly.

Now I've become the new leader,

it's my duty to find her a good husband.

I haven't been able to find anyone

within the 'Flying Daggers'

who would be a better choice than you.

What do you say?

I accept your offer.

Our House is much obliged to you.

You've done us a great favour.

Please accept my gratitude.

With much pleasure.

What is going on?

Where are our soldiers?

They were ambushed.

You were both plotting to catch me

by following Mei.

You're not blind?

Are you the old leader's daughter?

He has a blind daughter.

She doesn't know martial arts,

so I pretended to be her.

If you had known the truth,

would you have followed her here?

It's all been an act.

Who are you, really?

My name is Mei.

I'm just one of many girls

in the House of Flying Daggers.

That's enough. Take him out.

You wait here.

I want to finish him off myself.

Move.

Stop.

Do you have anything to say?

You're not Nia, the new leader.

You're right.

Of course I'm not Nia.

Nia wouldn't show herself so easily.

Who are you then?

That is not important.

Nia sent me to finish this matter.

You've done a good job, Leo.

We've never met before,

but I know you by reputation.

Three years ago,

we planted you as a mole
in the government.

You've accomplished much in that role.

I failed to protect our old leader

from being assassinated.

Nia knew that you were away on duty.

There was nothing you could do.

I'm grateful for her understanding.

We need to win this battle

against the government troops.

You and Mei have successfully

set up a trap for the general.

Well done.

I'll report to Nia and have you rewarded.

It's my duty.

Please tell Nia

the general has led
all his best soldiers towards us.

Be careful.

Don't worry. Nia has a good plan.

There is one thing I don't understand.

What's that?

Who sent Mei on this mission?

Nia did.

Has Nia ever considered my feelings?

What do you mean?

I haven't seen Mei for three years.

Now I have to watch her flirt
with another man.

It's not the first time

Mei's used her beauty to aid our cause.

I've heard about your feelings for her.

Do you still love her?

We're facing a battle

that will decide the fate
of the 'Flying Daggers'.

The troops are closing in.

This is not the time for love.

All right.

I will let you see Mei.

You haven't changed.

I'm still Mei.

It's been three years.

Finally, we're alone together.

I know.

You saved me during
the battle with the soldiers.

Thank you.

You don't need to thank me.

I would do anything for you.

I know.

You've risked everything going undercover

to win honour

and to impress me.

You're the only one

who understands me.

I was all alone for three years.

You were in my mind every single moment.

My love for you

was all I had to keep me going.

Do you love him?

You knew the plan.

It was only an act between you and him.

There is no future for you two.

Do you understand?

Nia!

You can't force a woman

against her will.

Do not pull this dagger out.

I'm sending you back
to keep spying for us.

You will be more convincing

with a dagger in your back.

You must leave immediately.

Yes, Ma'am.

I have sacrificed three years for you.

How could you love Jin
after just three days?

Mei, I also have a task for you.

Jin is of no use to us anymore.

Take him out and kill him.

Leo plays a crucial role for us.

We can't let Jin ruin our plan.

You must kill him

to prevent any future trouble.

You know our rules.

Yes, Ma'am.

I left you

in order to save your life,

but you still followed me.

Please don't blame me.

If your plan succeeded

many in the 'Flying Daggers' would die.

You wouldn't let me go either.

It would be me on my knees,

waiting to die.

You're right.

If I won,

I wouldn't let you go.

Go.

How will you explain this to Nia?

That's my business.

Why don't you come with me?

Deep in your heart, you have a secret.

I guess

there is a man
you find hard to leave behind.

Yes, a man who's saved my life many times.

Was it he who helped us
in the last battle?

Yes.

Then he has saved my life too.

Do you still love him?

When can we see each other again?

We cannot.

We belong to two opposing sides.

If we meet again,

one of us will have to die.

A decisive battle is imminent.

You and I are just pawns on a chessboard.

Nobody cares if we live or die.

Let's go away together and roam the world,

as free as the wind.

We'll wander around alone.

Come and go without a trace,

Iike a playful wind.

No, a carefree wind.

Just you and me.

Come with me, please.

Are you going with him?

Why?

You're the love of my life.

You don't have to love me,

but you can never go with him.

Otherwise you'll die.

Mei,

you've forced me to kill you.

I knew you would do this.

You knew and you went anyway. Why?

Why did you go?

Why did you go? Why?

To be free... Iike the wind.

You're a member of the 'Flying Daggers'.

You're right.

You're the one who loves Mei?

Yes, I love her truly,

while you are only playing a game.

If you love her, why kill her?

It's all your fault.

My fault?

She has betrayed me because of you.

If I can't have her, no one will.

You must die!

Fine.

You killed Mei, you must die too!

Mei.

Let him go.

If you kill him,

I'll kill you with this dagger.

Mei! Don't pull the dagger out!

If you do

your blood will drain and you will die.

You must not do it!

Mei,

I'm closer to him.

He will hit me first.

You cannot save me

with your dagger.

Mei!

Mei!

You shouldn't have come back...

I came back

for you, my love...

A rare beauty in the North.

She's the finest lady on earth.

A glance from her,
the whole city goes down.

A second glance leaves
the nation in ruins.

There exists no city or nation

that has been more cherished

than a beauty like this.