“King Hu's return to the historical ku-chuang genre shows him adding a sense of irony to his familiar skills of immaculate period detail (a dazzling array of sets by Taiwan's leading art director Wang T'ung), masterly control of atmosphere, and fascination with ornate levels of power-play. As the ailing epileptic emperor lies dying in the capital threatened by warring tribes at his borders, the prime minister is dispatched on a secret mission to bring back the only doctor who can cure his ills. On this simple structure, Hu builds layer upon layer of Chinese-box complications, climaxing in a memorable finale played out at a court performance of exotic Tunhuang dancing. The experienced cast fairly bulges with Hu veterans (notably T'ien Feng as the emperor and the dancer Cheng P'ei-p'ei) and real-life painter Chang Chieh contributes a lusty cameo.” Derek Elley, London Film Festival '83