Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Best Fight Scene) FullHD 1080p

Scene: Yu Shu Lien Vs. Jiao Long (Mandarin version) /Jen Yu (English dubbed version)
Story: In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) gives his sword, Green Destiny, to his lover (Michelle Yeoh) to deliver to safe keeping, but it is stolen, and the chase is on to find it. The search leads to the House of Yu where the story takes on a whole different level.
Film: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) 卧虎藏龙
IMDB: www.imdb.com/ti...

[@matttennis]

I think my favorite part out of this amazing fight is Michelle Yeoh's character using so many different fighting styles to match her changing weapons. She clearly is a master.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

It's telling that earlier in the film she claims to primarily be an expert with the shou dao she starts the fight with, the shorter single edged blades, and that she "is not much good with a straight sword". But she manages to win the fight using a much weighter two handed jian, and is still able to wield it well enough to defend against the quicker Green Destiny.

[@MrThomas564]

She's awesome! 😍

[@timedragon5492]

Except that one big black weapon. Bit too big and heavy for her

[@davidstratton696]

Time Dragon Yep even further encourages the fact that this is literally a Kensei Monk from D&d (sorry if u don’t know what I’m talking bout). It makes sense cause the way they fight doesn’t work when it comes to really heavy weapons like that.

[@DMTHOTH]

also if you watch it closely, she picks only counter weapon against one handed sword. Dual wielding sword -> Spear -> Hook sword -> Monk's spade(too heavy, failed) -> Sword breaker -> Two-handed sword

[@captcorajus]

Michelle Yeoh's fighting style changing as she cycles through an armory of weapons is just ... stunning. The amount of technical skill to perform in that way, even if its a choreographed scene is just off the scale.

[@leongps]

Michelle Yeoh is a legend! She's beautiful, she can act, she can dance, and she can fight! Best of all, she's very humble!

[@daxmiller35]

The hooksword-work is amazing

[@mrxxbrian]

Also props to the incredibly seamless flow of switching their Stunt Doubles on and off (basically when its a shot of just the actor's backhead, its likely their stunt double)

[@jjohnson9822]

thats because there masters at what they do bro lol in real life im sure they would have real fighting capabilities.. choreographed or not these actors are skilled and deadly with there skills against an average person.

[@henryettoit897]

@@mrxxbrian michelle yeoh didnt use a stunt double, she did all her own stunts.

[@junglesona5151]

When you know you're better, but that other chick bought the premium pack...

[@FenrisTheMannis]

Jiao was good, but Yu Shu Lien was clearly better. The only reason why Jiao didn't lose sooner is that she was fighting with Destiny.

[@wisterianymph3126]

@@FenrisTheMannis Shu Lien was also trying NOT to kill Xiao Long. She probably could have if she wanted to.

[@monkadelic13]

@@wisterianymph3126 easily, she had the sword, not the skill.

[@americandragonist]

Hahahaha god damn

[@nickythepro5743]

Michelle Yeoh clearly win. But she's to arrogant to accept that, that's why she cut her.

[@ross-carlson]

This really might be the greatest sword fight in the history of cinema. It's like a beautiful dance with the possibility of death, just the thing dancing needs - risk.

[@strycian]

Tough call between this and the sword fight in Princess Bride.

[@ricardoayala2023]

Agree 200% with you.

[@rpkunn]

Even I thought this was the best one till I saw the Revenger sword fight

[@alexhogg5787]

@@strycian I'mm give #1 to the Princess Bride. Perhaps because that movie means more to me as a whole, but this is up there in the top list for sure.

[@anxiousweeb8753]

the duelist exist

[@TimLee356]

I'm not an expert, but I would like to point out that... At the beginning, the girl w/ Green Destiny, over confident, goes into high stance, which was a mistake. Michelle attacks the girl's neck by drawing the opponent's sword low. She does it in a manner that "I don't want to kill you; I just want to let you know that I can." The exchange between the two is not only beautiful but so technical. This has to be the best fight scene ever!

[@wisterianymph3126]

I have always loved the beginning of this fight.. The way she glances up at her sword shows she's a tiny bit hesitant. And then it gets off to a bad start for her lol. Thanks for pointing this out. I wouldn't have been able to place exactly where she messed up but you totally put it into perspective!

[@smaakjeks]

It's a split second, but I remember definitely getting the impression that Michelle was showing just what you detailed. Excellent description.

[@Spacecorgi]

I remember Li mu bai telling Jen something about how holding the green destiny in stillness is pretty much the sign that you’re grown accustomed to wielding it. I think Shu Lien glancing at the sword at the very beginning was her noticing that Jen has gotten much closer to this mastery than when they first fought, as the sword barely moved in her grip. Jen was just going que? at her.

[@smaakjeks]

@@Spacecorgi What I think Li Mu Bai meant was that in order to be worthy of wielding such a weapon, you must first learn to control yourself: to withhold from striking. Learn to not fight unless necessary.

[@AllknowingUnknown]

Thank you fort Ponting this out. It adds a bit of technical understanding for myself.

[@brenoleitebrito2471]

Superior skill vs superior weapon

[@upchuckles243]

I think one thing that resonates with this scene even beyond the context of the rest of the (great) movie is the idea of the pretentious youth with an unfair unearned advantage vs the wiser older master who is not being given the respect and deference she deserves. There's something universal about this scene.

[@user-rc9jf8ng2k]

Apparently Breno is a great judge of the sword fighting abilities of fictional characters in a universe where the laws of physics don't apply. Where did you study?

[@lordgino2006]

? Because that’s the whole point of the movie/scene. They put so much the accent on the fact that green destiny has "magical" properties. This scene proved it. The character played by Yeoh was superior in skills. The part where she used the swordbreaker (translated name for the metal stick) showed just why she should have win. But green destiny is so special, it stayed whole, and sharp even after cutting a full bar steel. So yes, superior skills vs superior weapon

[@The.Nasty.]

? Could you be any more of little prick? He’s not wrong, so good job showing both your ass and your intelligence.

[@allblazing1160]

skill wins every time

[@spiderdude2099]

The best part of this fight is at the end when you see how experience wins out over raw power. Michelle yeoh's character is skilled with so many different fighting styles and weapons and actively analyzes and adapts to her opponent. When she chooses her last sword she has seen the way that jen fights and expertly predicts she will try to use brute power and force to win. Michelle yeoh uses this to her advantage and on her final strike counts on the fact that her sword will break when jen parrys it but she uses that break to allow her to get her damaged blade through her defenses and end the match.

[@rihannabai]

spiderdude2099 yup and that’s why she chose a LONG sword

[@john.jeremywilliams2241]

It's funny because I've seen this scene many times but I never thought about how she planned for her sword to break to win the encounter, it's even foreshadowed with the break of the weapon right before the sword.

[@TRUTHISABSOLUTE777]

@Rich 91 for the most part, yeah. But nobody cares because this is a movie and it is an outstanding work of art. And the technical working Beauty cannot be denied.

[@990426]

@Rich 91 no. In Chinese martial arts there is a saying : 1 inch longer is 1 inch stronger 1 inch shorter is 1 inch more covert. 一寸長一寸強 一寸短一寸險 A longer weapon has its own advantage.

[@kingsevil5255]

@Rich 91 You realize that even stylized, Wu Xia fighting is based on actual combat tactics from historical china? Hurrpadurr, please hush.

[@GiantGeekGuy]

For anyone curious with the weapons used in this scene: Michelle Yeoh's character used twin broadswords (or dao), a spear (or qiang), twin hooks (or gou), almost using a shaolin monk's spade but replaced it with a bludgeoning staff (or gun, not the firearm, which btw would absolutely dent Green Destiny if it was any normal straightsword), and a heavier straightsword (or jian) that takes her two hands to swing (compared to the lighter Green Destiny, which is also a jian, being held by Zhang Ziyi's character with only one hand). Fun Fact: The jian, dao, qiang, and gun are the four most prominent Chinese traditional weapons. In fact, each of them has a special title assigned. The gun was The Grandfather of Weapons, the dao was The General of Weapons, the jian was The Gentleman of Weapons, and the qiang was The King of Weapons. Michelle Yeoh's character, Yu Shu Lien, has shown mastery of all four, plus more. Clearly she was the more skilled opponent. Jen's greatest advantage was Green Destiny, an indestructible sword. But a sword can only be as effective as it's swordsman.

[@spongebobharden6265]

Nice explanation. But I think the bludgeoned staff is 锏 jian (different with 剑 jian). The weapons of door god 秦琼.

[@GiantGeekGuy]

@@spongebobharden6265 I might be wrong there actually, I wrote that comment 4 months ago, and I had no clear idea with what the staff was called. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@randomspiel]

@@GiantGeekGuy You're not, the jian is the straight sword and the gun is the staff.

[@zugeymoreno3133]

Ohhhh 😮😮

[@NahualliUoxtitla]

Is it just a trick of translation that Yu Shien refers to her swords as "machetes" ?

[@deliabailey7422]

Shoutout to all the people in the comments analyzing the fight scene to really emphasize how incredibly well-done this fight scene is. I haven't seen the movie in a while so hearing about how the characters, their relationships, and arcs all work into this scene as well as hearing about how accomplished the fighters are and how strategic really enhances how cool this scene is.

[@romilrh]

What Michelle Yeoh does to win the fight is equivalent to sacrificing your queen in chess. Brilliant

[@nightnday6675]

Great analogy

[@TheShadowWithoutaDoubt]

Very true!

[@D9270-f8t]

So Michelle Yeoh is the first Queen of Gambit?

[@cjonesjr26]

This is one of my favorite fight scenes period, never gets old!

[@smaakjeks]

It is utterly masterful.

[@Ispeakfactz]

And I give you your 100th like!

[@theredjake]

Amen

[@juzores1]

all time favorite.

[@shadowboxing7029]

Years on and Hollywood still hasn't learned how to utilise women in fight scenes. From the bad choreography, to bland emotionless character tropes and oversexualisation. This is how it's done, it's an absolute masterclass.

[@tyroneanderson5619]

Kill Bill?

[@romainrisso2438]

Could not say it better!

[@shadowboxing7029]

@@tyroneanderson5619 Love those films, they're certainly above the rest.

[@nah_zugo]

James Bond has some fierce women too who fight

[@randomlightning154]

@Cat Aye especially in Winter Soldier and Civil War

[@jukio02]

This is how fight scenes are suppose to be like, no shaky cameras.

[@user-vf4gf7le9e]

Shang Chi did a great job

[@gasolinedrinker9170]

Gareth Evans does shaky cam right though

[@reginaphalange9417]

shaky cameras are used to mask the poverty of choreography and the poverty of actor’s abilities.

[@lowhp_comic]

Christ I DESPISE shaky cam in fight scenes, it's usually in "realistic" movies though since people in real life wouldn't go all cool and flashy like they do in this movie, but I just can't tell wtf is going on when it happens 😂

[@goldblade84]

Watching this cause they announced Mulan... Disney ain't got nothing on this.

[@lawpwe9676]

Idk we have not seen the official trailer.

[@Sunday4378-u2d]

The silly mouse makes me laugh

[@tylermacgregor1320]

Law Pwe If it’s like every other Disney remake, it’ll be lazy, half-assed, make top of the box office purely because it’s a nostalgic property that everyone remembers, and not even fractionally comparable to this work of art (or even it’s own source material for that matter).

[@saloni22815]

Disney sucks there days

[@gizzad]

Ha!!! Me too! What a trigger. Lol

[@gumbiman3350]

The best fight because there's proper context and conflict between the characters. Fights are always better like that.

[@koldosebastian5096]

I agree too. I havent seen the film, and I even had prejudices about it being bad at telling something. However, this scene, that in many movies would be just an "action scene", was full of life. Certainly I need to watch this film.

[@r3g4rds]

@@koldosebastian5096 I hope you watched it. It is so good, and sad.

[@danalvarado8142]

You control power... power does not control you... that’s why lee moh bie refered to her as the poisoned dragon 🐉

[@shotgun6X]

Aside from the last weapon, all of Michelle's weapons were Anti-sword wrapons and she uses them incredibly well. Several times the younger woman gets into position that would be KO for other swords, but Green Destiny manages to escape based on pure power (cutting the bronze staff, breaking the twin hooks, etc) Michelle uses this power to her advantage. Her goal isn't to defeat green destiny, it's to defeat its wielder.

[@lionofdemise]

You're 100% and one of the few people to notice that

[@ajgonzalez2943]

What's an anti-sword weapon?

[@shotgun6X]

@@ajgonzalez2943 weapons that take advantage of a sword's short reach, weapons made to ensnare swords, metal rods meant to block and parry swords, spears, etc

[@CHamlin86]

Also pretty cool how Yeoh is right at 3:36 when she says something like "You would just be an amateur without it (The Green Destiny)." I think this fight shows that Zhang would totally lose if they were on even footing. As such, the Green Destiny is kind of like a cheat code and Zhang is still just barely able to keep up.

[@mrchow7135]

This is pretty much the most expressive fighting scene I've ever seen. It tells a story of both these character's personalities, experiences, drives and their relationship. It makes the main point of the movie shine, that a sword doesn't make the figher, and that even raw talent can be overcome by experience and discipline. The different fighting styles with the weapons, though a little far-fetched in place, are physically realistic. Love that scene where Shu Lien equips the heavy brass rod, the sound effects and the furious style are quite breathtaking. Excellent.

[@Ancient_Regime88]

2:38 when Jen gasps with fear after Michelle knocks here back with that heavy sword breaker is probably my favorite part. Really hammers home the fact that Jen is out of her league but the Green Destiny is keeping her in the fight.

[@ncs2000]

Just like how Amuro survive so many encounter with Char because he is in a Gundam

[@henryettoit897]

superior skill vs superior weapon

[@kaahzvi5820]

@@ncs2000 lmao gr8 reference

[@davidvaldezjr5546]

Don't forget that at first Jen scurries away from the weapon at first.

[@Ancient_Regime88]

@kshamwhizzle yess, exactly! So good.

[@markilsemann950]

Yuen Woo-ping's fight choreography meshes perfectly with Ang Lee's directing. It's clear from the scene that Yu Shu Lien outmatches Jen Yu in every way -- showing perfect swords(wom)anship with a variety of weapons. Without the Green Destiny sword, Jen would be nothing. The scene highlights one of the central themes of the movie: Jen is incapable of letting go -- dreaming the wulin dream (without ever truly experiencing it) she is incapable of giving up the sword. She'd rather forfeit her own life, as exemplified in the scene where she jumps from a cliff to retrieve the sword that Li Mu Bai had freely thrown away. That's the great antithesis of the film: Li Mu Bai has reached a point in his inner progress that makes it necessary for him to abandon the sword -- as he states towards the beginning of the movie, he has reached an end point in his meditation. To progress further, he needs to abandon the sword (and with it, the memory of his comrade of old, Meng Sizhao) and finally embrace his love to Shu Lien. Jen is the exact opposite: She's about to get married off to a guy she doesn't love, and she's realistic enough to see that her time in the desert, with Lo, was just a beautiful dream. Her solution is to hold on -- tightly -- to the only thing that seems real to her: the (aptly named) Green Destiny sword. Li Mu Bai wants to let go; Jen wants to hold on. This is also a battle of the generations: Shu Lien doesn't want to injure Jen because she sees a former version of herself in her: Shu Lien and Li Mu Bai have spent too much time holding on the the memory of their lost friend, which kept them apart. Jen is now making the very same mistake. The genius -- and I mean: genius -- of the movie is that it encapsulates these complex relationships in scenes like the one shown above. I could write a book about this movie, I really could. It's closer to my heart than any other movie. Thank you for uploading.

[@nightvisiongoggles]

It's been 20 years and I still fall in love every time I watch this film. It has its fullness of mind, heart, and soul. Wise, beautiful and meaningful. Very, very few movies carry life. CTHD is one of them.

[@HowardSalinger]

I’d read the book honestly.

[@elcaballeroandante1860]

I think it is my favorite movie, Ive watch it like 1000 times, always to try to find something New. And you give me something New too. Thanks for that.

[@ppvk2610]

Wow! So very well said... thank you.. Never have fighting sequences as these given me the same emotional impact, as here it is not about revenge, not so much.. But more about love, life, freedom and responsibility.. The fire of youth fighting for freedom versus the wisdom of the master, and his her responsibility.. To me it is for sure one of the most beautifull movies ever made. In which the gravity defying only enhances, lifts the story... Without it, it would not have the same impact... I only wish i had seen it the first time in cinema

[@chrissmith9596]

Well said!

[@generalmortars7557]

The best part of this is the tension underneath it. Even without words, their facial expressions alone tell a whole story. You can clearly see the apprentice struggling to keep up with the teacher who's doing her best not to kill the kid (and not die in the process either). THIS is cinema.

[@charlesc.b2435]

This movie changed my perspective on film when I saw it in high school..."Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" will forever be a classic IMHO.

[@jennywc]

I’ve seen this movie hundreds of times and this is one of the best fight scenes ever put on film!

[@sonnycormany]

The actresses’s skills are obvious, but the director, editors and fight block choreography in this scene are jaw dropping/ white knuckle all the way. All these years and it still holds up.

[@EduardoPardoYoga]

I've always loved how the students stopped fighting immediately and left the room silent and respectfully like "this is a task for the Master".

[@JaimeD.]

@Tin Watchman I wouldn't blame them. 😶

[@Coolguy6783]

Michelle Yeoh is now in everything everywhere all at once! One of the best actors to come from Asian cinema! Will always be remembered :)

[@atticuswilson8816]

just look how cool it looks without jump cuts and motion blurs and all that other stuff. the The overhead shot is the coolest fighting shot in all movie history

[@antonioelliott6208]

This was such a beautiful movie. Ang Lee really brought back the artistry in Chinese movies that I remember as a child. Michelle Yeoh is awesome in this movie. :-)

[@radioactivehands]

Antonio Elliott I feel sorry for Ang Lee, so great a director, excellent in English drama, war film and etc but hardly get get recognition he deserves

[@hanhai8515]

​@@radioactivehands I don't think he is not getting recognition when he won 2 Oscars for best director.

[@jackriver1999]

@@radioactivehands I think Ang Lee is one of the most interesting directors. He can make dramatic stuff like Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain, and also make The Hulk and Gemini Man and still be thought of as a serious director. He is a masterful director.

[@pruray]

I know everyone in the comments is admiring Michelle and she was great but Zhang Ziyi was amazing too. I was awed by what a great job she did.

[@alexvasquez537]

I will never not be amazed when watching this scene. The choreography, the music, these wonderfully talented women. Perfection.

[@LeeoGoneWild]

Glad they were in so many movies together.

[@indianjedi]

Congrats on the Oscar Michelle ❤

[@dongiano]

The way Shu Lien defends herself with the metal club speaks volumes about her mastery. She stopped swinging it and started using its own weight to move it around quicker. She is a master for sure.

[@FelixDance88]

Michelle Yeo is easily one of the best action stars in the history of cinema. Period. Yes, she does her own stunts too. Like the scene in Supercop where she rides a motorcycle on top of a moving train. Hardcore.

[@Mili189]

Damn... I was 11 when it aired. I remember it like it was yesterday. this scene was UNBELIEVABLE. it is hands down the best combat in the whole history of cinema.

[@darkmatter5424]

Earlier in the film, Michelle's character said that her weakest choice of weapon was the long sword. Ironic how it was her best in this scene.

[@carlossomarriba4646]

Michele could easily beat Jen, she just couldn't beat the Green Destiny Sword. Brilliant scene!

[@NotQuiteFirst]

And the clever part is that she beat her by turning the strength of the Green sword into a weakness, and turning the weakness of the normal sword into a strength

[@badseednut]

She did win actually.

[@calldwnthesky6495]

Vivian Lee Michelle portrays Shu Lien in this flick and goddamn was she gorgeous. same with Zhang Ziyi portaying Jen...

[@ElliotScottDating]

She did beat her. THe point of the fight was to symbolize experience beats power hence why she was able to wield so many weapons and finally beat green destiny.

[@OrphanMartian]

You guys don't even know. I saw this movie 15 years ago and never noticed at 0:49 how her sword splits in two. Insanity.

[@2mangamonsters]

RIGHT?!?! I was replaying it over and over again trying to see if I could spot the second blade while it was in her hand and the sheath before they crossed blades. I was blown away when she just up and pulled the second one out! :O

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

I *think* the film is saying the Green Destiny split the sword in half - we hear a strange noise just before it happens like metal bending or snapping, then she has two in her hand.

[@bonzwah1]

@@sarcasticstartrek7719 I'm not 100% sure, but I think thats just how the weapon is. its a sword that can be split into two swords. I I've seen such weapons feature in other martial arts films and shows.

[@Mio248]

@@bonzwah1 Yeah, I agree. Like you said, it's just how the weapon is made (like one blade, but can be split into two. Like a couple's broken heart necklace. Each piece (when separated) is identical to the other so they can meet the other part and snap together flawlessly.

[@秀逗春风生]

@@bonzwah1 I'm chinese，U R right，that's just how the weapon is, i forgot its name， there are many such weapons in ancient China.

I love how this scene show us all that the Green Destiny IS something afar from this world. It is a sacred and powerful weapon. Jen was NEVER a better fighter than Yu Shu Lien, but the sword gave her the power to fight against any response Yu Shu Lien had. Jen would loose to Yu in a real fight! This scene show us how strong the green destiny is, I just wish we could see the green destiny in the glory days of Li Mu Bai, the only one who can truly wield this sacred and powerful weapon. Ang Lee choose to not show us this, and this is perfect cause its make everyone more interesting in the mysticism of the weapon. An amazing movie, an amagiz screesplay. One of my favourite movies of all time!

[@erikingmundson]

I love the speed, the sounds of the weapons, and the simple soundtrack of the drums. A perfect choreography, shooting, and editing job.

[@isaacvega8310]

Hands down, one of the best fight scenes of all time.

[@townsendadrianarmani]

Still the best martial art movie to name! The fight scenes are cinematically spectacular! Still after almost 20 years!

[@michaelrchan]

This is, without any doubt, the greatest "faux" fight scene ever put to film. Ang Lee and his cinematographers created something surreal in the way that they cut between master shots and tight from the close cameras. It's great cinema, and the actors are so athletic that you just can't believe it, but they are doing it.

[@adamcheung7284]

This is what happens when a pro player fights a hacker

[@chupachupscolaflavour]

Lmao 😂😂😂

[@ajgonzalez2943]

Best. Comment. Ever.

[@shotgun6X]

...the pro player wins? Because Jen lost

[@namkhamged]

Star Wars need to learn sword fighting from this. Sword fighting is more than just swinging swords around.

[@imperialguard9458]

At least the new Star Wars anyway.

[@namkhamged]

@@imperialguard9458 agree!

[@billveusay9423]

I concur. The fight between Anakin and Obi-wan, without being as incredible as this one, was still awesome, nervous and creative, and one of my favourite sword fight in movies. The recent fights are basically "left... parry... right... parry... left... hey, I'm gonna do a spin for no particular reason. Are you entertained yet ?"

[@Intranetusa]

That really depends on if you're talking about real sword fighting or entertaining sword fighting. The prequel Star Wars trilogy had entertaining sword fighting choreography that had flashy moves and backflips like in this scene as well. That doesn't remotely resemble real sword fighting though. The newer Star Wars movies have sword fights that are unfortunately neither entertaining nor realistic.

[@ashfox7498]

I don't think so, the fall of the Jedi order should have represented an era of lost knowledge; Luke was never even really trained to fight with a lightsaber by Yoda because mastery of the force was far more important. Then as much as I am loath to acknowledge Disney era canon there is even less training involved with Kylo learning from a guy who learned nothing of lightsaber combat except what you can pick up from a few textbooks, and Rey having never learned anything.

[@gregoryfreeman5384]

From 0:51 to 0.58 Yu Shu Lien attacks Jen 19 times in just 7 seconds. Each one an attack at the body that is deflected or dodged. All filmed in one unbroken shot. An absolute amazing piece of filmmaking and physical acting.

[@noni5961]

Such a great fight scene. Not overly stylised.

[@jangofett9835]

Despite its simplicity, this is truly a great fight scene. Every hit feels real, the stunts look amazing, the emotions within the scene are made evident, etc. Everything in the scene is awesome; I cannot find a single flaw.

[@jackxiao9702]

I don't think "simplicity" means what you think it means.

[@mauriciovillegas7285]

This is how "Crazy rich asians" should've solved problems

[@josephine4s]

LOL! That would have been super entertaining!

[@taktakmeme2959]

They do lol

[@gbolahanidowu9961]

hahahaha

[@linnhtoo5783]

:D :D :D

[@gweregnicod2742]

Michelle Yeoh (Shu Lien) played in this movie, that's funny

[@evie8078]

Jen Yu's last action proved that she was not worthy of the Sword.

[@xv06-y31]

one of the greatest master pieces in cinematic history

[@mortimer1976]

One of the most spectacular fight scenes in all of movie history. Brilliant choreography, cinematography and editing all around.

[@fractal_gate]

This scene does a terrific job of getting the balance right between two people actually hitting to kill and being aesthetically pleasing.

[@FluffyKittenofMordor]

as i've grown older, i've come to appreciate good cinematography. and the camerawork here is stellar! It knows exactly what it needs to focus on. It zooms in, zooms out, and follows each swing of the sword like the audience is actually engaged in a duel. none of that shaky, blurry editing that we see in B-movies.

[@berniemacsgreatesthi]

If it wasn't for the sword, she would have lost

[@MaxChencjn]

+berniemacsgreatesthi she still lost cuz Yeoh s character knows how to turn the sword advantage to her own side and just sliced through the green destiny and aimed for the throat.

[@GypsyLeah]

that's kinda the point

[@gayboi0188]

Actually they are both very skilled,they probably would have been fighting basically forever

[@insertunoriginalnamehere1398]

Dark Archer No, Michelle Yeoh’s character clearly could have ended the other one’s life at the end.

[@shotgun6X]

She DID lose, though

[@alejabanaga550]

2:39 My mother when she saw my report card😅

[@emanuel-vw8rg]

😂😂😂

[@jon9394]

That leaping spear attack was sick.

[@fakeplasticgamers9850]

I couldn't figure out why this scene feels so BUTT-CLENCHING when compared to other similar fight scenes, but I think I figured it out: they are actually swinging TO HIT. Usually we see a lot of swings on dead air just for the sick moves, but most moves on this fight look like they could actually kill the other person if they don't dodge or deflect.

[@Thelastdan]

Lady could of sliced her shoulder off within the first few minutes but held back

[@themagnificent9296]

‼️💯💯😂😂

[@gregoryfreeman5384]

You're right, but it is also the use of wide shots showing the full bodies of both actors, and longer cuts giving continuity to the action. Most American movies rely on quick cuts and close ups.

[@boywonder2120]

@@gregoryfreeman5384 I don’t think people understand that with the proper cuts you can make any clip look continuous or like it was never altered. So let’s say a over head angle with a quick close up of the sword going over her head. That would be camera manipulation to give fluidity to the scene.

[@ethanchoi7036]

Disney: live action Mulan is out! Me: I'm good *resumes Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon*

[@Map_of_Memories]

omg look at this scene @3:12, her style of fight, its like shes dancing, so beautiful so masterful, you have to watch it so many times to see all the details, so good

[@afyoung3083]

Siblings when there’s only one more Oreo left

[@user-ft3ul5lp6z]

lmao

[@nickamenta12]

Nice wide shots, no shakey cam, and great choreography. How a great action scene is made.

[@ColinPatrickWeiss]

1:30-1:50 gets me every time. the camera direction and action choreography of this sequence is just......mind blowing.

[@imharbinger]

Just watched Mulan. Had to see this to get me some good kungfu.

[@nealeellis4455]

Oof

[@jimhuffman9434]

Mulan is that bad?

[@oliverrumagit3781]

@@jimhuffman9434 nope, mulan is good i watched it 2 times but just dont compare it to the animated one

[@oliverrumagit3781]

@@KingXen nope, mulan live action is great😌

[@imharbinger]

The fight scenes of Mulan are just shaky cams meet sexy girl. the best fight scenes always have long uncut non shaky cam scenes and progression of the actual story as well. just from this fight scene a lone, we can pretty much tell what the entire movie is about.

[@pabloarvelo5969]

A masterpiece!

[@jic4095]

It didn’t become old at all, incredible

[@michaelmayhem1805]

So many DEADLY looking attacks in this scene, you can imagine the fight ending with any one of them

[@wannaplay27]

Instead of explaining the situation and personality of the two characters, or notifying them through dialogue, the scene informs the audience through action. Zhang Ziyi's quick and exciting action contrasts with Michelle Yeoh's use of various weapons. A hand with a sword trembling because of lack of strength. The first cut reminiscent of the stage of a Chinese opera. Everything is beautiful.

[@chloeadams8703]

She would make an incredible Mulan both beautiful and skilled✨.

[@goblinslayer7096]

It's amazing how the choreography so clearly demonstrates that one is the better fighter but one has the better weapon. Such great storytelling.

[@6364LEGACY]

This choreography is simply perfection.

[@aykay4878]

The comments are adding so much to my appreciation of this incredible scene! Like several people have said, Shu Lien defeats the opponent, not the weapon, but even within this 5 minutes, there is an arc to that approach. After the first 3 weapons are destroyed easily, Shu Lien picks up the heaviest, intending to defeat the weapon and take away Jen's advantage. And then that incredible escalation when the heavy staff is used - that long second when Jen first feels how forceful that staff is and experiences fear - it changed the stakes of the fight without breaking the pace. At the pause, they both recalculate but they break in different directions. Jen marvels at the sword and feels that with it, she is invincible. Shu Lien sees the arrogance in Jen and knows she can use it against her, so she picks the sword to indicate that her eye is now on Jen, not the Green Destiny. As someone said, she sacrifices her sword to win against the fighter, something Jen could never do. Shu Lien adapts, sacrifices, and is humble enough to learn. Jen resists, lashes out and feeds her ego and desire to dominate. It's a microcosm of the whole movie.

[@gvue4396]

If only Mulan was this good

[@jaysonbernardino1746]

I watched mulan I'm so disappointed :( :(

[@papercrease7308]

Ignorant people made a movie about a story and culture they don't know. instead of finding real Chinese to assist, they fall back to the somewhat offensive western stereotypes of Chinese. Of course it failed. Then some dared to blame the Chinese for the fail. Pandering Chinese they said. This whole thing, the movie and the critics feel almost like a plan racist attack. Blood boiling... sorry for the sudden rant but man this is frustrating af

[@sayakchoudhury9711]

@@papercrease7308 Absolutely, I feel they should have hired Zhang Yimou and gone full Wuxia and shot it in Mandarin.

[@heretopissyouoff8439]

@@papercrease7308 wtf you talking about? China literally had a load of control over the movie, they're literally why the script was changed so many times. How about instead of worrying about stupid shit like who it's going to offend and racism, just tell an interesting story with cool fight scenes.

[@CuracaoChic]

Isn't of watching Disney, watch the Chines version. Han Mulan: Rise of a Warrior 2009

[@tradetor]

Such a visual demonstration of the ideology that weapon only matters if your skill is a match to your opponent

[@DEvaTVoficial]

I can watch this scene a thousand times and I will be mesmerized a thousand and one.... such a masterpiece. The whole movie is a masterpiece!

[@mandykayla4762]

Idk why I just looked up best sword fighting skills and this popped up and now I can’t get enough of this.

[@willows5395]

this movie is massively underrated and don’t come at me with its good ratings. I mean most people don’t even know this film

[@an.s.7930]

This is the best selling foreign film

[@uzumakifelix]

THIS is a strong woman in film, a lady training her whole life in the art of weapons and it shows shes not using a cosmic cube to obtain her powers.

[@GameDjeenie]

Oh my god... Another comment to stab Captain Marvel... Y'all need to let go at some point. This is obsessive...

[@pchou8118]

@@GameDjeenie I know right? There's so many rules and gate-keeping for "how to write a strong female character". Spiderman obtained his power because of this random spider and no one is complaining how it's an "unrealistic portrayal of strong men". But when a woman does it it's called cheating by incels. So many men are butthurt just because Brie Larson pointed out some movies aren't aimed for men (though A Wrinkle in Time isn't a good movie but that's besides the point) . Now they're blowing the Captain Marvel hate out of proportion just because they can't stand someone who has a different opinion to them.

[@B11-u5n]

@@pchou8118 Shut up simp. Spider man sucked too but you don't see him walking around acting like his shit don't stink.

[@dead.ahead_sonya.parker1]

@@pchou8118 the difference between Spider Man and Captain Marvel is that Spider Man learned responsibility early while Captain Marvel became more of an unlikable character as her story progresses. Read the comics, she messes up big time after she took the mantle of Captain Marvel after the original one died.

[@kaiderauqsk9515]

still the one of the best fight scene ever

[@jbc242424]

Probably the best fight scene ever put on film.

[@jbscotchman]

This scene is absolutely amazing!

[@MESGUPTAMECHANICAL]

I have never seen such action in my entire life it was the most beautiful plus thrilling fight I have ever seen. Just have word for it "RESPECT"

[@jonathandelarosa6830]

Never get tired of watching this. The best sword fight ever

[@taroupriapusxp4624]

Best fight scene I've seen since the 80s. Nuff said

[@jlogan2228]

I love how after this lei mu Bai (sorry if I misspelled that) completely overpowers her with nothing but a piece of bamboo proving even the best weapon can only get you so far compared to extraordinary skill

[@roshanjamal6113]

This scene will never not be cool. The pinnacle of female characters badassery. One of the best martial art duels of all time that focuses on the drama of the action rather than the action only. Ang Lee is a master of his craft

[@ajgonzalez2943]

When Shu Lien's shuang dao became 2...gave me life. It's weird she picked a claymore type weapon as the final choice. Earlier she said she wasn't much good with a straight sword. But I guess she knew it would break and she could get in close to Jen's character

[@zawa322]

THIS NEVER GETS OLD! Michelle Yeoh is criminally underrated!

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

I love how with the weapons on this, Yu Shu Lien's expressions get more and more angry as this goes on. The metal pole bit is my favourite. The expression of "why won't you just DIE??!" and she drops the fancy stuff for just plain old trying to hit with a stick.

[@BlownMacTruck]

Sarcastic Star Trek Not quite. Every weapon she picks up is designed to counter that type of sword, especially the “stick”.

[@Daniel_C_Griffin]

Late reply, but Lien doesn't want to kill her. She wants to subdue her and take back the sword, but not to kill her.

[@shedontknowbutsheknows6225]

The stick you were talking about was short staff or "swordbreaker"

[@davidvaldezjr5546]

I didn't notice that at first! You're right!

[@divaslive6953]

See how beautiful, graceful and classic Michelle Yeoh is? she didn't wear any makeup in this fighting scene.She's the only martial art actors from the 80's who continued with grace, beauty and class. Her counterpart actors way back then, like Yukari Oshima, Moon Lee, Cynthia Khan, Sibelle Hu, Kara Hui, were among of those truly talented and beautiful ladies with beauty also & grace. How I wished they were still around to this days. It would be such an honor and privileged to watch them again.

[@Rachel-ow6ij]

Not to burst your bubble, but as a woman, she very obviously has makeup on. Makeup can be very natural, as hers is. She has foundation and concealer on, which is why her face looks perfect. It’s apparent her cheeks are pink with blush as well. And her lips are not in their natural state, but moisturized and pinkish.

[@Rachel-ow6ij]

Even men wear makeup like this on screen.

[@GadisBaliLivesAbroad]

so is zhang ziyi

[@CaptainShears]

can you recommend some of those movies please?

[@leongps]

She proved to the world that women can be beautiful, talented and strong at the same time! A true legend, she really deserves more recognition!

[@r0flcopt3rz]

Love this scene. My favourite is probably when she spins the hook blades and then uses them as darts when they break

[@hohuy1469]

Notice at 3:08, after suffer what the sword breaker can do, she changed her style a little bit to adapt to fight against that, as she "cling" her sword to the sword breaker to parry and mitigate the devastating force of the heavy weapon. Then, when her opponent is recovering, she seized that split of second for closer and faster attack, the purpose is to not give her opponent time to swing the sword breaker at full force and regain the upper hand. I know she was the underdog in this match, but her ability to adapt to different fighting styles and weapons is amazing

[@vizman8585]

Exactly. She overwhelmed the sword-breaker with continuous offense, putting it on the defensive until it broke.

[@tjij-mbai]

And she had to learn that specific martial art on her own... She did very well for someone without a Master... Although it's undeniable that the sword helped her a great deal.

[@snowyy.5275]

Yep she’s clearly a prodigy. Given time and more formal instruction she might have even surpassed Michelle’s character

[@natalironaldo]

I'll never get tired of watching this scene

[@brenstona3497]

I soooo remembered this movie! It was bad ass! I loved every minute of it!

[@meditationandhealthyliving9602]

God they are so badass. WOW!

[@mikkdimperio224]

MAN, I LOVE THIS SCENE!

[@ran196]

I really love how that first sword that Michelle Yeoh used turned into two swords during the fight.

[@azarazar007]

There's so much artistry in this scene than any amount of words can define. I'll just use words grace and masterful skill here.

[@mr.pocket575]

Such a fucking amazing battle scene. Brilliant choreography

[@kingsevil5255]

To this day, still one of the best and rare fight scenes where someone uses a Swordbreaker against a blade. And if it wasn't against the Green Destiny, she would have worn Jiao Long out until it was curtains for her.

[@shonaphillips7577]

My favorite part is 1:51 when Yu Shu Lien throws down her broken weapon to pick up another...like this bish! lol!

[@GoblinKnightLeo]

This is one of the best fight scenes in any film I've seen.