December 2025
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Delivers High Flying Adventure
This in-depth look at the making of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon first appeared in American Cinematographer's January 2001 issue. For full access to our archive, which includes more than 105 years of essential motion-picture production coverage, become a subscriber today.A smash hit at the Cannes and Toronto film festivals last year, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is as wonderfully deceptive as its title suggests. Set in the 19th century, the film presents a complex romantic drama enlivened by the trappings of a Hong Kong-style, period martial-arts epic. The plot is laced with intrigue: legendary warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) entrusts his jade sword, the Green Destiny, to his beloved, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). When the weapon is...more
