AllMovie

Chen Kaige, acclaimed director of Farewell, My Concubine, weaves this lavish period drama inspired by the classic stage play Orphan of Zhao, which tells the tale of a Yuan Dynasty prince whose fate will determine the future of an entire nation. As the ruthless General Tuan (Wang Xueqi) seizes the Zhao throne and wipes out the entire monarchy, noble doctor Cheng Ying (Ge You) makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the newborn Zhao prince. In the years that follow Cheng raises the crown prince as his own, naming General Tuan as his godfather and biding his time until the boy comes of age. Eventually, the Zhao heir apparent gains access to the royal palace, where his true destiny awaits.