Top martial arts proponents showcase their talents in this cinematic hurricane. China at the end of the Ming Dynasty: corrupt eunuchs are terrorising the country with the ‘Western Office’ under Commander Yu leading the way. In rebel fighter Zhao Huai’ an (Jet Li), the ruthless warlord meets his adversary. Good and evil clash at the Dragon Gate Inn, joined by a group of hard-drinking Mongolian tribal warriors. When a sandstorm exposes the golden treasures of an ancient metropolis beneath the inn, more material interests come into play. Shot in 3D, Hong Kong based director Tsui Hark creates a blazing piece of Eastern genre cinema reminiscent of the Shaw Brothers’ classics. In a whirlwind of special effects where people are made to appear like flying spirits, the film portrays two Chinese folk tales about flying swords, magic powers and a romantic love story.