Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.

Catapulting Ang Lee into the upper echelon of Hollywood filmmakers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon features a deft mix of amazing martial arts battles, beautiful scenery, and tasteful drama.

'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' delivers breathtaking cinematography and stunning fight choreography under Ang Lee's masterful direction, creating visually sublime martial arts artistry. Zhang Ziyi's electrifying performance and the film's emotional depth moved many deeply. However, the film sharply divided audiences: some found the writing convoluted with inane dialogue, while others felt bored or frustrated. The gravity-defying action sequences and acting quality also received mixed reactions, with some finding elements wooden or overly theatrical.