One of the ten great films ever

This one has, after multiple viewings, reached the top of Zhang's large list of great films. It is a film which never ends for the viewer. The tapestry of characters, events and scenes just never satisfies. The two leads are magnificent and Gong Li is perhaps the world's greatest actress. She combines Garbo's screen presence and Bancroft's acting range into one sensational performer. Zhang Yimou is the greatest living director and ranks with Huston, Fellini, Fleming and Kubrick. This film is about life and people more than politics and ideology. It will be just as riviting a thousand years from now.