Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword Thief (HD Scene)

[@tuesdae666]

I watched this more than 20 years ago in the cinema. When it ended, I left the theater, bought another ticket immediately and went back in to watch again.

[@Lbdataz1469]

I also went and saw this when it came out. My little brother and I were blown away and I remember my dad talking about how it was so cool they experimented with digitally removing the wires because he used to watch all the old school 70's Kung Fu movies where you could see the wires.

[@slymcfly123]

I watched it in the theater like 7 times no joke

[@mohammedaliyu1437]

I repeatedly watched it everyday

[@justinadams-turner5238]

Lying>>>>>

[@Gmanu29]

Where to watch it in full? I've only watched clips only

[@weepingcamel1]

The young thief was sweating visibly from the fight, Michelle's character being a seasoned fighter didn't even break a sweat. details like this make this movie a masterpiece

[@TheInfantry98]

You see that difference with the sword fight later on in the film

[@JM_Mk]

The sword thief had ran on roofs before fighting, it's normal for the sword thief to sweat

[@tajammal40]

After all it's bout the minute details that make the difference.

[@49wakaran]

bro the lady just woke up vs the thief being running around the whole night whod u think normally would be sweating bruvvy?

[@mookiestewart3776]

@@49wakaran the fighter that isn’t as experienced or good …..that one. And the film portrayed that perfectly

[@bret551]

This scene is one of a kind. Unsurpassable. It is poetry in motion.

[@Pogueconductor]

I saw this in seattle at the queen ann theater the week it opened. There was, no joke, a standing ovation after this scene. First and only time I have seen that

[@DarthDickhed]

@@Pogueconductor that’s crazy and that’s cool you got to see that. I’ve watched this so many times but this time is the only time I’m wondering how much better this scene could have been if the sound effects were a bit better.

[@ggn1]

@@Pogueconductor my maaaaan!!!! Now that’s an experience!!!!!!!

[@jonathanfarley2023]

The fight in the trees....

[@jeptoungrit9000]

If ballerinas started punching each other during a performance would you quit supporting horrible action movies? People like you have ruined the whole genre.

[@carlosmedrano7005]

I’ll never forget seeing this movie at the theater with college friends. We left the theater in awe.

[@mookiestewart3776]

I was only 10 when it came out but I loved it so much. I did get to see hero in theaters though so I’m kinda lucky for that lol

[@michaelbray6010]

When this scene started, many in the theater were smirking at the stunts, but by the end, everyone just erupted in joy and awe. It is a privilege to have been in a crowded theater for that moment alone!

[@siyuwoaini]

@@michaelbray6010 was this movie that popular in America ?

[@michaelbray6010]

@@siyuwoaini yeah, and the soundtrack was popular too.

[@siyuwoaini]

@@michaelbray6010 Here in Asia, this movie wasn't as popular. It only gained some popularity when it began to bag international awards.

[@andrewromero5008]

When I saw this movie, in the theater, we all clapped after this scene played out. Still exciting to see it again.

[@CrazyFatMonkey]

I read somewhere that this will be playing in 4k in theaters next month in the US and Canada

[@Jushin15]

Same here

[@björkmou5e]

That's funny, when I saw this in theaters our audience did the same thing. I've seen scores of movies over 40 years but maybe 2 standing ovations.

[@csnerd21]

After watching this film, the word *_cinematography_* entered my lexicon. Those moments in a theater... when you get the collective sense of amazement. That was this scene... we all watched and knew we had just seen something truly special.

[@sanesanchezs]

I think Shu Lien is an incredible character because she's a masterful warrior and also a feminine compassionate woman. In this scene she tries to get the sword but doesn't want to injure the thief. In their other duel she won the fight with the broken sword to the neck, but she didn't want to injure her opponent.

[@beardedbloke2521]

She should be a guest character in a future Mortal Kombat game

[@atanvardo5730]

I don't dig the flying people thing but the fighting sequences of that scene are amazing. In the vein of old school martial arts movies / Hong Kong cinema , but with modern takes. For sure the best fight of the entire movie.

[@EduardoDiscaciate]

It's a Hidden Dragon. In her fights, or in Lee Mubai's, they never use their full power.

[@thesprawl2361]

@@atanvardo5730 The flight scenes aren't meant to look badass. They're intentionally shonky and lo-fi. The film is a magical realist creation, it's meant to suggest a magical tinge to the combat, even dreamlike. That's what it looks like to me, how we sometimes move in dreams - as light as air and just the thought of flight can lift us off the ground; and then we're off, dancing and glancing off rooftops. There's no way to suggest any of that if you make the flight look like it does in superhero movies, because then these characters in Crouching Tiger are just superheroes. It might look 'cooler' in mainstream superhero movies when the character flies like Superman, but this is attempting to do something very different and the visual language of the film has to be different as a result. If you've ever seen how David Lynch uses special effects in Twin Peaks and other works, he uses intentionally lo-fi effects to add a level of uncanniness and a dreamlike quality to a scene. To someone unfamiliar with the way his mind is working the effects look laughable. The Corridor Crew guys did a video on Lynch's special effects and burst out laughing, using them as an example of bad special effects. They missed the point completely. Anyway, all of this use of deliberately lo-fo FX serves to separate Crouching Tiger and Twin Peaks and similarly arty works from mainstream blockbuster schlock.

[@atanvardo5730]

@@thesprawl2361 I know that. I know it was all intentional. The movie is beautiful, the fight sequences are amazing (very reminiscent of the Hong Kong cinema, but with a magical, dreamlike tinge). It is just that, personally, I would like the ights even better without flying people. Not that I don't like this kind of thing. Actually, I liked it when the Monkey King flew in "The Forbidden Kingdom", but for some reason I didn't like it very much in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Perhaps because I don't see its characters as superheroes or something. Anyway, It's an amazing movie, in all aspects. And definitely yes, much, much better than all that blockbuster schlock.

[@lesandres23]

The music when Michelle Yeoh is running on the wall and gets the rock…Flawless! Divine! Bravo!

[@Zeek509]

I remember hearing about this movie as a kid but never seeing it. Now as an adult after seeing this scene I am in love. I just love how as the fight progressed, Michelle bit by bit was starting to get the upper hand as a seasoned fighter with sheer experience and determination. I love it!

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

The music alone is absolutely adrenaline-streaming. But the incredibly magnificent performances from Michelle, Ziyi, and their unbelievable stunt doubles are absolutely astonishing. Brilliant. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@rizu8517]

Michelle does all of her own stunts. I believe all the actors did their own stunts in this film.

[@Bendesho]

@@rizu8517 I'm afraid not. Anytime you can't see their face, it's a stunt double.

[@maninblack9271]

@@Bendesho michelle yeoh has always done her own stunt, if you follow her career you would know that. This scene is nothing compared to her other movies in term of dangerous level. All the crews + directors have said the same thing, except you.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

@@Bendesho You are quite correct. Especially because she was injured while filming CTHD. Even the overhead shots during the fight in the training room were obviously doubled. THAT IS TO *NO* SHAME OF YEOH'S! There were so many martial arts experts showcasing their weapon expertise... it was AWESOME. But, no, Michelle Yeoh isn't exactly a master of *ALL* weaponry. :) Very few artists are. Usually, they specialize in one, and dabble in many others.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

@@maninblack9271 Totally not true. And this is NO sleight nor attack on Yeoh! She was injured while filming CTHD. Even the overhead shots during the fight in the training room were obviously doubled. AGAIN, THAT IS TO *NO* SHAME OF YEOH'S! There were so many martial arts experts showcasing their weapon expertise... it was AWESOME. But, no, Michelle Yeoh isn't exactly a master of *ALL* weaponry. :) Very few artists are. Usually, they specialize in one, and dabble in many others.

[@trutyger09]

To this day, still some of the best choreographed fighting I’ve ever seen.😊

[@teletranoats7491]

music is over....applauses everywhere inside the theater....I will never forget that !

[@kingofpopbts2080]

In 100 years of Oscar, there are hundreds of actors and actresses winning and being nominated. But, none of them can do martial arts like Michelle Yeoh. Maybe she is the first and the only in the history :))

[@micahelhonjzerritug941]

Yesss 100%

[@andyroo9381]

Such an amazing fight scene! When I watched this in the theatre, the entire audience clapped after this scene was done with. It was just a beautifully, orchestrated scene that you appreciated. Now, Michelle Yeoh is a Best Actress Academy Award winner!

[@BonnChnd]

A masterpiece. I mean c’mon, Michelle Yeoh is so freaking good!

[@xotxmeow2256]

The woman can't actually fight, but she was very good at accrobatic because she used to dance and liked to work dilligently and what you see is mostly the work of stunt doubles , wires and a finished product on screen.

[@BonnChnd]

@@xotxmeow2256 well aren’t you a party pooper…

[@carmenacevedo2938]

That ew

[@tjl4688]

@@xotxmeow2256 Movie fights are choreographed yes, but Michelle did many of her own stunts in this movie and had been in martial arts movies for a decade and a half before Crouching Tiger. She specialised in choreography during her theatre studies, which is why she excels in wuxia movies.

[@AndreinaGarban]

@@xotxmeow2256 And I guess you can do better, right?

[@wtc269]

One detail that western viewers might not notice or understand is that Jen (the sword thief) is actually better at Qing Gong than Shu Lien. Qing Gong is the ability to jump (aka fly) higher/further and run faster (using Qi). But Shu Lien is actually better at Wu Shu, which means she is a better fighter. Which is how it was portrayed that Shu Lien had a hard time chasing and keeping up with the thief and had to threw objects at her to slow her down. But once they closed the distance and went for a physical fight, Shu Lien had the upper hand.

[@danielvo4754]

Wudang qinggong 😁 is what gave Jiaolong (Jen) the speed and high jumps.

[@siyuwoaini]

Cuz Jiaolong had secretly learnt Wudang formidable qinggong

[@omniliro]

listen, idk if this is true or not, but in enhanced a scene I loved so thank you

[@jemhadar5029]

Lol I’m a westerner and this fight scene was simple to follow

[@elviechoi7896]

There's an interview I recall reading where Ang Lee talks about the decision to keep Shu Lien more 'grounded' in her fighting style as an expression of her love for the Earth. She can still glide, jump and climb, but she chooses not to leave the ground for very long because she loves it too much. Stunningly poetic character development from Taiwanese director Ang Lee.

[@benhsu42]

If you drop this into a Marvel movie today it will still awe audiences. The music and choreography were incredible. Yuen Woo Ping and Michelle Yeoh are both national treasures.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

This entire film's cast and crew were absolutely outstanding. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@Vejur9000]

God yes. Both of them.

[@TheQuota2001]

They did drop this in a marvel movie lmao that 10 rings one… the critics said it was bad cause blah blah cultural appropriation blah

[@goodebening6564]

@@TheQuota2001 fight scenes were alright but not on this level. americans have not ever done anything on this level.

[@TheQuota2001]

@@goodebening6564 😂 this is technically an American movie bro.

[@Proximoprod]

This is easily one of the greatest scenes in cinema history!

[@lj_2259]

Zhang ziyi’s beauty is just out of this world. And Michelle yeoh - she’s a legend

[@jimwise4307]

I could watch Michelle Yeoh in every movie.

[@alyu1129]

That was more than scene. It was an experience. At the end when the drumming stopped, I had to breath out like I had just been on a trip .

[@CribNotes]

At the theater, when the drumming stopped and Michelle Yeoh was standing alone in the court yard, I had to contain myself from standing up and clapping. The sound, camera work, wire work, lighting, fight choreography, drumming....one of my favorite scenes in ALL of cinema.

[@fonkythumbs]

I'm watching this clip again in 2025, and it still makes me awestruck. The background music goes perfectly with the scene.

[@michaels7900]

Both of them were incredible in this scene.

[@calldwnthesky6495]

what an opening combat scene... i was just mesmerized in the theater and i am still totally energized watching this. i'd love to see this again on the big screen. Michelle Yeoh was AMAZING

[@evilr.714]

I agreed ,when we saw this at theather.. was sooo excited after this scene.. we all knew it was a masterpiece .

[@adny02]

I saw it 3 times in theaters. I remember it being the first NEW martial arts film in that classic era for us here in the United States in.... well....forever! Not a rerun, or rerelease, but a brand new film! And I remember after this specific scene played, the crowd in the theater applauded and cheered how great that sequence was and still is! You just don't get many, if at all any, applauses in theaters anymore today.

[@siyuwoaini]

As an Asian I grew up watching all sorts of Chinese martial arts films and dramas but the martial art fighting shown in CTHD is mind-blowing. Exciting and elegant at the same time

[@HawkinaBox]

It makes sense why this movie is so popular. THE FIGHT SCENES ARE FANTASTIC!

[@voightkampffchamp]

The other parts are just as good. Its more than just a wuxia film

[@batcoolstudios4236]

It is so satisfying watching actors that can actually fight.

[@tyverymuch7203]

i love how this, as an action movie, also explores class (jade fox/shunned, shu lien/respected lower class, jen/wealthy upper class) and their common desire to break away from what's expected from their roles as women in society. brilliant, brilliant movie with so many layers

[@philbecker4676]

Watching this with my dad for the first time and we both said "holy shit" when it ended 😂 Had never seen anything like it before.

[@thespacesbetweenstudio3346]

no shaky cam in sight. Hollywood has learned nothing

[@empathicalcryde8803]

the've learnt to befuddle the american public

[@DHeartX]

Shaky cams were more for brutal combat instead of flashy choreography.

[@thespacesbetweenstudio3346]

@@DHeartX shaky cam is pretty much for bad action directors and actors that can't fight.

[@DHeartX]

@@thespacesbetweenstudio3346 So I take it you hated The Expendables?

[@thespacesbetweenstudio3346]

@@DHeartX if you think the Expendables is high cinema you are sadly mistaken.

[@kekwayblaze3176]

One of the greatest fight scenes in movie history.

[@darkideas2088]

My absolute favorite part of that whole movie 🎬 🎞 Thanks for capturing it!!!!

[@iamtiberius]

No camera shake, no cg, the setting is real, the moonlight effect is incredible, music on point, choreography on point. wtf

[@dannylo5875]

This fighting sequence is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@mnyj6228]

Awesome ! Back then, I was mesmerized by this scene. Back ground music is everything.

[@GetMeThere1]

God I love this movie! It's unalloyed pleasure to watch.

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

You mean SHEER BEAUTY to watch too, don't you?? EVERY actor in this movie, especially Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat WERE SUPERB!!!

[@ric2play]

define unalloyed

[@sewaprolo]

@@ric2play pure

[@badimpulses17]

You don't need CGI to make a great movie.

[@haveatyou1]

Tell that to the ropes

[@VertigoX26]

You just need lots and lots of wires to very unrealistically have them float in the air.

[@massalleh5255]

@@haveatyou1 Ropes are not cgi

[@massalleh5255]

@@VertigoX26 Not lots. Just 3 or 4

[@haveatyou1]

@@massalleh5255 ur a clever one arnt u

[@primusmoss-ln6jc]

That was some fast movement on both ladies parts! Precise hand and foot technique! Guys would have a hard time with these two! Hats off to Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zang and their stunt doubles ( if they used any) for that incredible scene!

[@TheGrrson]

How do you even plan a scene like this??? Masterful fighting and acrobatics. I like how floaty the wall- and rooftop-running is. It kind of feels like they are having to work at it, like it's a martial arts technique that can be improved or hindered, like when Michelle Yeoh uses her foot to keep the thief from "taking off" up the wall. I barely noticed the drums until they stopped at the end.

[@maxsommers6843]

It is a technique in Chinese martial arts folklore and legends, sometimes referred to as "Lightfoot Kung-Fu." I believe it has something to do with channelling your chi in certain ways that give you almost superhuman capabilities, such as extra strength or the ability to defy gravity.

[@Mattheq]

And you can see that the theif has the advantace there, she's floating around almost weightlessly, whereas michelle Yeoh is running up every wall and jumping to keep up - but managing it

[@sabin97]

that's why you and i arent choreographers in martial arts movies. i could never even begin to conceive of something like this. but i do enjoy it.

[@MetaRed]

@@maxsommers6843 that's named 'Qing-Gong'.The 'Light Kung-Fu'.

[@percysaunders5282]

One of the best scenes in cinema history

[@TheresaKim]

The music fits this scene. It is artistic perfection.

[@zipzorp8858]

This film is a masterpiece.

[@SevenPhotonsFilms]

Michelle Yeoh is simply amazing in this fight.

[@allthefoolssailedaway]

This is probably the most bad ass Marshall art’s scene of all time! Both these ladies did a great job choreographing!

[@ramonpurugganan6865]

Breathtaking. Like a dance choreographed perfectly. Magical Chinese martial arts. Classic.

[@paulbradbury5792]

Best kung Fu movie ever made :)

[@pf5658]

A downright freaking masterpiece this movie is.

[@marskeins]

This movie was such a badass movie. So well ahead of its time. Masterpiece really!!

[@kianghy7930]

First time when I saw it, I love the lighting, the choreography, the music, and the kungfu fighting of it… what a beautiful art scene.

[@wowsadowsa]

To this day, one of the greatest fight sequences in history.

[@jofez27]

This was my first movie I purchased as a DVD over 20 years ago! Love this movie!

[@Bestosterone]

As a kid I would rewatch this so many times, Shu Lien was the goat. Her fight scenes were the best

[@calvinjohnstone2664]

I'd forgotten how amazing this film is thank you.👍🙏

[@halfkimchi45]

I remember after this fight scene, the whole theater started clapping and cheering.

[@ultraspawn4685]

Absolutely fantastic scene with the women practically sparring with each other from a fantastic movie.

[@Stewpidguy00]

This has been one of my favorite movies for years

[@Singmetosleepmydear]

Mic have all my respect as an actor and a action actor. I love you

[@paulothx138]

This is so much better than the Matrix sequels.

[@lillybloom5330]

The Matrix is not kung fu

[@zilchoutis5323]

I love how they run like they are floating, i know there are cables and even so doesnt feel unrealistic

[@AndrewM-ol1lm]

This scene and movie is a complete masterpiece. It still holds up today and even looks better than the majority of crap that is Hollywood today.

[@savagenature1]

Jen keeps trying to fly away Shu Lien: Hey! Stop That! 😂

[@royalpanther6391]

Jen was absolutely a prodigy in Qing gong(the art of high jumping/floating). Shu Lien is better at Wu shu though hence she's a better fighter.

[@jasonjackson4555]

I remember seeing a huge crowd outside a tiny movie theater in Santa Monica, CA that usually plays niche foreign movies. My friend said “it’s this cool new Chinese movie.” 2 weeks later I saw it on the biggest screen at Universal Studios Citywalk and it was the most popular movie in the world.

[@Tab36000]

Really wish I could go back and watch this for the first time again

[@khmer5o3]

one of the few movies where i went to watch this twice in theaters.

[@justisligue]

Omg 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 well God damnnnnnnnn what did I've just saw here. I definitely got to see this movie 🎥 for sure

[@CribNotes]

At the theater, when the drumming stopped and Michelle Yeoh was standing alone in the court yard, I had to contain myself from standing up and clapping. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. The sound, camera work, wire work, lighting, fight choreography, drumming....one of my favorite scenes ever in all of cinema.

[@CR055FIRE]

and the drums have a dual meaning representing both your heartrate and the stakes getting higher and higher

[@amyg8249]

All these years later and I'm still picking my jaw off the floor...

[@KingWitchofAngmar]

Ziyi and Yeoh... Ziyi is s legend because besides of being a fighter and portraying a magistral flight and fight she won in real life the national championship in folk dance in the nationals of the chinese republic, and Yeoh my gosh a great martial arts performer, they both display and portray in to scene respectul and horable values, like pride, revenge, and fierce fights... This film for me is a LEGEND.

[@TheGrrson]

The roof and wall-running is superb.

[@TheWardog6650]

This is one of the greatest fight scenes I've ever scene in my life. In my opinion this is ONLY rivaled by Donnie Yen's end fight in Flashpoint🔥🔥

[@mookiestewart3776]

Donnie yen vs jet lee in the first fight of hero in the rain with the staff 🤤

[@Longi1974]

Like, I know they are on wires but their movement still looks so magical.

[@Wowxoxo69]

Bro i do that every weekend, aint no thang😊

[@renedavila654]

5:27 Michelle Yeoh had torn her ACL in a previous scene, so they put her on a wheel barrel to finish this part of the cut.

[@theironpumpkin]

i remember the whole theatre applauded at the end of this scene

[@Hmongboi228]

I remember watching this and having a dream that I was flying like them. 🧚‍♂️ I didn't want to wake up... 😢😫

[@thiagobaptista5004]

Master Michele Yeoh: EXCELLENT !!!

[@prismatism]

5:27 is the scene where Michelle is on a wheelbarrow cause she injured her leg and couldn’t walk anymore on that day

[@rxboy]

Michelle Yeoh is just awesome 👍

[@hdlamon]

can we also talk about the way they subtly included tiger and komodo dragon sound effects into the sound design during their fight scenes? (helps if you listen with headphones) The way they symbolize and personify the tiger and dragon from the title of the film: ICONIC!!

[@thiagobaptista5004]

GREAT scenes of fight !!!

[@snakeson9246]

2:08 I love that not only did Shu Lien know from a single technique that Jen was trained in Wudang, but any audience member with any knowledge of martial arts could tell. That's a classic taichi move.

[@DesertCow1000]

This scene is masterful. 💯🙏

[@kentworrell3725]

The music , the fighting arts all made for a sensual mix.

[@glipgloppapi9959]

this was so well done holy

[@Tapscrolltap]

cmon man this will forever be one of the greatest girl on girl fighting scenes in cinema history. this and that sword fight scene!

[@phyyyyer9775]

It is a gross understatement of me saying I loved this movie. When it came out I seen it in theaters like 10xs. Then a few years after it came to dvd I watched it like 1000xs. Then it was re-released in theaters again and I went to see it another 10xs. I can watch this movie in any language and tell you what they are saying...lol. This fight scene between the ladies and the other one where they used weapons was some of the best choreographed fighting. Also in this scene @ 3:48 where she kept pulling her back down...lol. Not to drag this comment on but also at the last part of the scene 5:36, she didn't want to or need to remove her mask/veil, it had nothing to do with the dart coming that she didn't get a chance to.

[@againstall6796]

3:48 Stay Down ! ... Stay Down !! ... I SAID STAY DOWN !!! 😆 Great scene, great movie.

[@DEDE-nc8jl]

this is next level choreography

[@ronneyrendon5045]

Brilliant scene.

[@mattsmoviemagic8123]

I remember the 2nd time seeing this movie in theaters and the entire audience erupted in cheers by the end of this scene. *in fact this happened at the end of every fight scene in this movie.

[@RichardBroussard-t6y]

Saw it one hundred times at least it seems I went to sleep to it many nights

[@glipgloppapi9959]

loved every time she tried to fly away and was brought down all those times 😭

[@chief8268]

2:02 was so badass. She just came out of no where and instead of ambushing the thief, she just demanded her to return the sword verbally.

[@luismadrid8526]

Yes, the characterization of Shu Lien was really good and consistent. She’s a strong warrior but she’s noble and does not like violence if she can avoid it. Ambushing the thief from behind is not something she would do.

[@lubpaj91]

Movies are not made like this anymore. All these new kung fu flix are trash nowadays. I love the choreography, energy, presistance skills to execute every moves. Love it.

[@mmmarky]

I need to watch this movie again!

[@siyuwoaini]

I just learnt that CTHD had been scheduled for re-screening in the US around Feb 2023!! WoW

[@Asif1138]

4:40 she went into "I'm tired of this" mode lol.