Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Fight Scene

The scene is taken from the Chinese martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This particular scene concerns a fight in a restaurant. It starts with the protagonist entering, asking for a room and ordering food, then being approached by a group of martial artists.

The establishing shot is where the protagonist enters the restaurant; the camera focuses on her and cranes as she walks up the stairs to the first floor, then carries on tracking as she walks while placing her order with the waiter. This allows us to see where she is, and where the inevitable action will take place.

There is music playing when she enters, this is diegetic, as we can see the band playing through a doorway in an adjacent room. This music carries on through out the scene and the fighting, with non diegetic drums coming in for the fight over the higher diegetic music. The drums emphasise the action happening, and the diegetic music gets quicker and higher as the fighting comes to an end.

In the restaurant there is general noise of people talking, which is diegetic, as the group of martial artists approach the protagonist, the general noise seems to have faded, giving a sense of tension. The hush suggesting they are almost holding their breath. We know this group are approaching because the camera is at a high angle as the group walk up the stairs; it pans and follows their movements. Although she can't see them and won't know the approaching, the audience can, which creates suspense.

Throughout the beginning of the scene, there are a lot of long takes pieced together; these edited shots create a smooth pictorial continuity. This gives a spatial continuity which creates a stable, understandable film space.

When the group finally approach the woman, she remains calm and there is a match on action as she drinks her tea. She lifts the cup to her lips, and when the camera is behind her we see the same action carried into this next shot.

As the woman looks at the antagonist, the director makes use of the 180 degree line and there is an eye line match. The antagonist is looking to our screen left, while in another shot the protagonist is looking screen right - this creates a sense that they are looking at each other. There is also a shot reverse shot pattern, when we want to see his reaction, the camera is reversed. This makes it clear where these people are to each other, and creates continuity.

There is dialogue, and then when one of the protagonists reacts, and there is action, it is all one choreographed long take.

The break away furniture used on the balcony makes the protagonist appear stronger than she is. We hear the wood breaking and the sound of smashing plates as an antagonist lands below, these sounds add to the sense of chaos.

As the action takes place between the protagonist and the group of antagonists, the special effects mainly concern the protagonist who is the main character. As she performs backspins and kicks, and flies through the air etc, it is an unrealistic portrayal and emphasises her 'super powers'. She also says she is the 'invincible sword goddess' and these special effects almost make her seem that way because it ties in with her super human abilities.

The camera pans around the restaurant, showing the chaos and confusion this action has created. It gives a wide view of the diners' reactions.

The camera follows the protagonists' actions of her sword, and there are a lot of short takes. These short takes signify the speed and confusion, dominated by the protagonist. It also gives a sense of frenzy and violence, and the speed of her technique.

There is dialogue throughout the action - mainly the protagonist, and she always appears relatively calm. It gives a sense that she is always in control of the situation at hand.

As she draws her sword, we hear the metal sliding against metal, which sounds threatening.

When one of the antagonists gets slapped with the sword, the camera is at a low angle, showing exactly where the sword is.

During the fighting there are high angled shots, which shows the protagonist surrounded, yet the antagonists' vulnerability due to her skill.

As one of the antagonists' swords is broken and disabled by the protagonist, it is shown in slow motion, and we can hear the chunks of metal being broken off and hitting the floor.

As the fighting comes to a finish, the music gets higher. When the balcony collapses, it signifies the end.