Watch The Bride with White Hair

The Bride with White Hair is a 1993 Hong Kong fantasy martial arts film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, and Francis Ng. The film is based on Liang Yusheng's novel "Baifa Monü Zhuan" ("The White-Haired Girl"), a classic wuxia tale that has been adapted numerous times in Chinese cinema. Set in the Ming Dynasty, the film follows the tragic love story between newly-appointed Wudang Mountain disciple, Zhuo Yi Hang (Leslie Cheung), and the deadly assassin, Lian Nichang (Brigitte Lin), also known as the Bride with White Hair. After a chance encounter in the woods, the two fall deeply in love but are torn apart by their respective loyalties and obligations. Lian is a member of the cult-like Cult of the God of Martial Arts, whose leader orders her to assassinate Zhuo and his fellow Wudang disciples. Zhuo, on the other hand, is sworn to protect the Emperor's eldest daughter, Ji Wushuang (Joey Wong), who has been kidnapped by the Cult.

As the story progresses, the conflict between the Cult and the Wudang sect escalates, and tensions rise between Lian and Zhuo. Lian's past is slowly revealed, including her motivations for becoming a killer and her connection to the Cult's leader, Master Ji. Meanwhile, Zhuo struggles with his own conflicting desires, torn between his loyalty to his sect and his love for Lian, who becomes increasingly consumed by her own bloodlust and desire for revenge.

The Bride with White Hair is a visually stunning film, with Ronny Yu's direction and Peter Pau's cinematography creating a dreamlike, surreal atmosphere. The film features highly stylized fight scenes, incorporating wirework and acrobatics, as well as impressive special effects and a haunting score by Richard Yuen.

Brigitte Lin delivers a standout performance as Lian, creating a complex and sympathetic portrayal of a character who is both villainous and tragic. Leslie Cheung is also excellent as Zhuo, imbuing his character with a sense of honor and compassion that makes his eventual fate all the more heartbreaking. The supporting cast, including Francis Ng as the ruthless Cult member, Ho Ka-Kui, and Elaine Lui as the lovelorn courtesan, Ni Chang, also deliver strong performances.

Despite its fantastical elements, The Bride with White Hair deals with themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, making it a touching and poignant film. It remains a classic of Hong Kong cinema and an important entry in the wuxia genre.

The Bride with White Hair is a 1993 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.