Product Details

• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304208294
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,085 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This pinwheeling period-fantasy action film is all over the map--in its plotting, for starters, but also in its action sequences, staged by A Chinese Ghost Story's Ching Siu-tung, which are so frenetic that we can barely keep track of who's skewering whom. Based on a serialized swordplay novel by leading Chinese pulp writer Gu Long, the endless twists and turns in the conflict between two rival clans of quasi-magical warriors are all but impossible to follow. The result of this multilayered confusion is a less than completely involving cinematic experience, although the dashing Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies) and soulful Tony Leung Chiu-wai (Hard Boiled) are an unusually classy pair of comrades in arms. Newcomers interested in the distinctive Hong Kong subgenre known as wu hsia pian ("martial chivalry films") should consider beginning their researches elsewhere, with either Raymond Lee's Dragon Inn or Ronny Yu's The Bride with White Hair. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very high on style, less so in substance, September 17, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Verona, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Comet, Butterfly & Sword (VHS Tape)

This high art fantasy over-the-top costume piece is a "wire fu" lover's delight. All characters are dressed in coloful drapey, billowy robes and garments. The musical score is unusually well-orchestrated from beginning to end. But does everyone have to twirl 10 times while going 16 feet from point A to point B. There is very little walking in this film. Everyone twirls, flies, swings, flips, rotates, revolves (is that different from rotate?), levitates, somersaults, jacknifes, or pirohuettes (sp?) in nearly every frame. The fighting is fantastical and violent, to say the least. While the film is certainly different from the classic old-school kung fu film, I do, in fact, give the movie high marks within its own fantasy genre. Technically, the wire artistry and effects are mind-boggling, yet at times numbing. If wire fu is your cup of tea, I suppose this is your eye candy. For others, it's probably worth a peek, as I would suspect it is probably one of the best in its genre.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't analyze, just watch, November 21, 2004

By 

J. C. Jones "badraiderfan" (Leominster, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Butterfly and Sword (DVD)

Do not try to apply western thinking to Asian movies! They are not done with the same intent or even at times for the same purpose. These movies go deep into culture and you have to go with it to enjoy what goes on. This movie has good action and fantastic plot lines! I searched until I found it. I like wire fu and prefer it to "real" kung fu movies because I like to escape. Butterfly and Sword will take you places you haven't likely been before.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic movie that only improves with viewing, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Butterfly and Sword [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Believe it or not -- this is a fantasy costume drama which actually has a complex plot, multi-layered meanings and ways of interpreting personal relations, quality dramatic acting (particularly from Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung) and comical scenes AS WELL AS unbelievable visuals and action sequences.

The cinematography is rich, the pacing is quick...There's plenty for the eye to see and for the mind to absorb. In fact, almost too much the first time round; which is why you need to see it at least a second time to really appreciate it. Also, it may help to get a plot synopsis/summary (I would recommend Pete's review off the "Yes Madam" web site) to know what to watch for.

On the other hand, one could just look upon it as eye candy, give up trying to understand what is actually going on (a love square amidst schemes to become master of the martial arts world) and just prepare to be blown away on a purely visual basis...Although that would be only half the experience, it would still be enjoyable enough for many Hong Kong movie fans and fans-to-be (if you crave something very different from American movies, this is it!).

On a cautionary note: The action sequences feature "wire fu". This is NOT Jackie Chan -- not necessarily better or worse but definitely different...and actually way fantastically weirder (After this, "Supercop" is s-o tame!)!!! In fact, it might come closer to "Excalibur"...I KID YOU NOT.