KongChina in the 7th century: a country in the throes of the fearsome Tang dynasty. A Japanese warrior, Lai Xi, has served the Chinese emperor for 20 years and is desperate to return to his beloved homeland. He will be granted passage home if he tracks down and kills the butcherous Li, a soldier-turned-mercenary, who once led a revolt against the emperor. His chance to confront Li eventuates sooner than he thinks. Visiting a farmstead to raise manpower for his latest mission'escorting a camel caravan with a young buddhist monk'Lai faces off with Li in a spectacular swordfight that ends in a draw. The two fierce competitors agree to postpone their duel-to-the-death until Lai delivers the monk to safety. The journey is no simple task, however. Scorching desert, marauding Turks and local bandits make the road perilous, and the end offers the promise of an epic battle between the two master swordsmen.

Recalling the recent South Korean epic Musa (MIFF 2002), Warriors of Heaven and Earth is a film of breathtaking beauty and scope, highlighted by stunning cinematography from Zhao Fei (Raise the Red Lantern). China's Official entry for this year's Best Foreign Film Oscar.

D/S He Ping P Wang Zhongiun, Yan Yi Yun WS Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia L Mandarin w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/120mins

He Ping was born in China in 1957. Films include: Swordsman in Double Flag (1991), Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker (1994), Sun Valley (1995).