Audience Member
If you see one movie this year, make it this one.
From the opening sequences in "Memories of the Sword", we meet three great warriors in medieval Korea who battle to overthrow an unjust empire. In doing so, they doom themselves to an unexpected lifetime Pandora's Box of Sturm and Drang.
This remarkable film unfolds a Jeremiad of misfortune and tragedy. Even it's title is wistful, doleful.
See the theatrical trailer here :
https://youtu.be/sFvAPcl_jUg
"Memories of the Sword" is as much a complex love story as an intense psychological thriller, mystery, suspense, action film, and historical drama. It is not a martial arts movie in the traditional sense.,the martial arts scenes serve the plot and character development adeptly, but never become the focus of the movie. While It has ample swordplay, it's a tale of betrayal: an acrimonious, deeply disturbing, four way " love rectangle", with mistaken identity, hidden identify, unrequited love, revenge, rage, regrets, assassins, infanticide suicide and more.
Up and coming international actress Go-eun Kim plays Seol-hee (and another role), and is the central heroine and pivotal character who wields the symbolic Sword of Revenge in the film. This is a physically and emotionally demanding role that reveals a budding talent destined for more great roles. This star vehicle has made Go-eun Kim better known to American audiences.
Do-Yeon Jeon, as Seol-rang, is the driving force of tragedy in this story who wields the symbolic sword of Justice . She plays the role of angst ridden step Mother, (plus another role), of Seol-hee, and masters the duality of lethal femme fatal and vulnerable love muse. Seol-rang is one of two grandmaster martial artists who teaches Seol-hee her unrivaled deadly skills. This is the role of a lifetime that every veteran acting great like Do-Yeon Jeon waits a career to cherish and bring to life. If made in the USA, this would likely be an Academy Award winning role for Do-Yeon Jeon.
In a masterful performance as Deck-gi, international Korean actor Lee Byung-hun is the cold, menacing, symbolic, "Sword of Ambition", who also plays a dual role. A nuanced performance of a man in salient conflict with himself to be benevolent and honorable,but failing, and struggling as a lessor man, of greed and cruelty.
As Deck-gi, (Byung-hun), ruthlessly dispatches his enemies., his pain shows as he battles his greatest enemy, himself, in the inner psychological morass and dichotomy of two opposing selves.
This same dichotomy of opposing passions permeates the film in the manner in which the 3 Principals passionately love each other and hate each other simultaneously, but, it is this epic tolerance for ambiguity that makes this film so dynamic, complex, and engrossing. The smoldering love that unites Seol-rang and Deck-gi is held in check by their visceral hatred for each other as this inexplicable gestalt leads to the unstoppable tragedy to come.
In my analysis, we come to understand why this movie is named "Memories of the Sword " because the "Swords" represent the stories of the persons who play out their (sword) symbolism, and these are their memories.
This film is a rare masterpiece with a gut wrenching plot of profound psychological pathos, terrific cinematography, a fantastic ensemble of all star Korean actors, stunning production values, and excellent fight choreography. Often compared to 3 Chinese Wushu, (Martial Arts), masterpieces : "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "The House of Flying Daggers ", and, "Hero", this film is the most poignant and tragic of that revered trio. Profound, anguish ridden, enthralling, agonizingly tragic, and beautifully produced, and acted, this movie is an unforgettable and indelible cinematic experience. Audiences around the world are swept away in tears and awe by its soul stirring analysis of the Human psyche embodied in its "Three Swords of Ambition, Justice, and Revenge". "Memories of the Sword" is the finest film from South Korea and one of he best action dramas ever made.
2hs 1.minute. In Korean with English Subtitles.
Memories of the Sword
Released
AUGUST 28, 2015
Action/Adventure
Drama
Cast
Lee Byung-hun is
Deok-gi
Do-Yeon Jeon is
Seol-rang
Kyeong-yeong Lee is
Teacher
Go-eun Kim is
Seol-hee
Tae-woo Kim is
Jon-bok
Jun-Ho Lee is
Yool
Bae Soo-Bin is
Poong-chun
Crew
Heung-Sik Park
Director, Screenwriter
Ah-reum Choi
Screenwriter
Heung-Sik Park
Director, Screenwriter
Review by
Marchello Caracalla
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I loved it, very artistic scenes, great story that got my attention from the start, I recommend it a lot.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A mediocre at best. Great cast but the storyline is too bland to showcase the acting.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
Full Review
Audience Member
1. IF you were expecting non stop action; you will be bummed out
2. IF you were looking for a storyline, romance and action....you won't be disappointed.
Great pic; great production....acting was fantastic as well.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Hands down beautifully shot. The halfway point gets abit frantic and hard to follow but evens out once you get through it. A film i would be proud to have been a part of.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/04/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Beautifully shot and well acted
The story line felt rushed that if you're not paying attention you would be lost.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
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