Taking a traditional stance on action cinema, East Asian 'swordplay' films have been hugely popular since as early as the mid-Twentieth Century. Comparable to the classic cowboy westerns of the same era, the genre has been constantly reinvigorated every decade by new stars and filmmakers while remaining true to the classic stories that inspire them. Known in Chinese as 'wuxia' (literally meaning "martial hero"), these action-driven tales are strongly engrained in traditional Chinese culture and portray noble heroes beating overwhelming odds for family, friends, or in some cases, to save the nation. With the popularity of hit films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Hero other countries have interpreted this mythology in their own way. Vietnams first foray into the genre is Sword of the Assassin, showcasing beautiful cinematography and exhilarating action in a classic tale of good versus evil. In the story, a young man joins forces with a beautiful sword-wielding female warrior as they seek revenge against a powerful royal family responsible for their familys suffering. To celebrate the exclusively digital release of Sword of the Assassin, we delve through the vaults to uncover the very best of martial arts swordplay cinema.
