this three hour chinese epic and set in 220 b. c. and may ultimately amount to a familiar theme of an emperor idealistic dream of peace through unification mutate into corrupt isolation and and there nothing inherently challenge about the film and but it a compelling narrative and cram with intrigue and passion and betrayal and epic event tell in vivid stroke . even for those not draw to such historical spectacle for their own sake and it an astonishing feast for the eye represent the scene depict the coup attempt of the marquis be one of the most staggering evocation of physical space and grandeur in memory and and the battle scene be memorable both in their scope and their immediacy . the title sum up the film use of compel contrast huge plainland vista set against intimate horror while the noble of motif set against the most degraded while hope turn to dust . if you have never see a three hour chinese epic and this wouldn not be a bad place to start .