Its a chinese folk tale about the quest to own the Green Sword of the legendary warrior Ba-Li (Chow yun fat). Indian audiences wont find anything new as we are used to seeing/hearing such stories/fables. The westen audiences have found something different thats why it has been nominated for so many oscars. The story tends to get complicated and is too slow at times and that kills the charm of what might have been a beautiful film. The lead actress (micheele yeoh and another beautiful chinese actress whose name I dont know) along with chow yun fat have given good performances. I made the mistake of seeing it in dubbed english. If possible se it in the original mandarin version. If nothing this movie should win oscars for cineamtography, music score and stunning visual effects. (although some have been copied from mithun movies)..if you are woondering what the tittle means..it is a chines phrase which means a more stronger person hidden inside a strong person.