Ancient Chinese history always interesting

Asian movies that take place in the distant, pre-medieval past are becoming more popular. The Silk Road is unique in that it was filmed in 1988, years before the genre gained more popularity. Today in 2010, very good Chinese historical movies like, "Red Cliff", "The Warlords", "Dragon Inn", et al, are coming out of Hong Kong and Red China itself.

More unique, this is a Japanese-produced film. All the actors are Japanese. The VHS marketed in the USA has English subtitles. But you can hear all the Asian characters conversing in Japanese. Some people weren't too keen on the idea of a Japanese-produced film of Chinese history where the characters are speaking Japanese. But I actually liked it. It's no more different than say, one of those old British Hammer Films movies that take place in 18th or 19th century Germany or eastern Europe but the characters all speak English.

For one, consider it a compliment that the Japanese would honor Chinese history by producing a fascinating historical drama that takes place around 1026 AD, the height of the most culturally-advanced dynasty in imperial China, the Song Dynasty, in the backdrop of the ancient Silk Road from its eastern terminus in northwestern China, today's far-flung Xiankiang Province. The movie has a lot of battle action and intrigue and is a recommended view for aficionados of Asian historical action war movies.