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Sword in the Moon

Original title: Cheongpung myeongwol
  • 2003
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Sword in the Moon (2003)
ActionAdventureDrama

A series of high-ranking officials are being systematically eliminated by a sleek assassin and his female assistant, and arrogant master swordsman General Choi is charged with putting an end... Read allA series of high-ranking officials are being systematically eliminated by a sleek assassin and his female assistant, and arrogant master swordsman General Choi is charged with putting an end to the carnage.A series of high-ranking officials are being systematically eliminated by a sleek assassin and his female assistant, and arrogant master swordsman General Choi is charged with putting an end to the carnage.

  • Director
    • Kim Ui-seok
  • Writers
    • Ma Dae-yun
    • Park Gye-ok
    • Kim Hae-gon
  • Stars
    • Choi Min-soo
    • Cho Jae-hyun
    • Kim Bo-kyung
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kim Ui-seok
    • Writers
      • Ma Dae-yun
      • Park Gye-ok
      • Kim Hae-gon
    • Stars
      • Choi Min-soo
      • Cho Jae-hyun
      • Kim Bo-kyung
    • 15User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos62

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    Top cast18

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    Choi Min-soo
    Choi Min-soo
    • Choi Ji-hwan
    Cho Jae-hyun
    Cho Jae-hyun
    • Yoon Gyu-yeob
    Kim Bo-kyung
    • Shi-yeong
    Lee Jong-su
    • Jae-deok
    Yu Yeon-su
    • Officer Seo
    • (as Yeon-su Yu)
    Gi Ju-bong
    Gi Ju-bong
    Jeon Seong-hwan
      Jo Sang-geon
      Lee Bong-gyu
      • Lord Min
      • (as Bong-gyu Lee)
      Kwon Hae-hyo
      Kwon Hae-hyo
      Kim Jong-goo
      Kim Jong-goo
      • Excellency Song
      Bae Jung-shik
      • Taebaek
      Lee Mu-hyeon
        Kim Se-dong
        • Hwang Daegam
        • (as Se-dong Kim)
        Oh Seung-myung
        • Affinity
        Kang Shin-il
        Kang Shin-il
        • Joo-sang
        Kim Sung-oh
        Kim Sung-oh
        • Mu-kwan's Underling 3
        Won Tae-hee
        • Prisoner 1
        • (as Tae-hee Won)
        • Director
          • Kim Ui-seok
        • Writers
          • Ma Dae-yun
          • Park Gye-ok
          • Kim Hae-gon
        • All cast & crew
        • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

        User reviews15

        5.71.4K
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        Featured reviews

        5mavruda1977

        I don't get the end or may be I just don't like it ...

        Amazing scenes. Great colors. As a fan of Asian movies I accept this one as a promise for more great ones. I can't say this is masterpiece because I am not into the Korean cinema - i saw only two or three movies , but hey don't forget Kim Ki Dook movies - so they are more than 3 :-) Anyway - Im not sure that I understand the final. But I got the idea - the friendship has not a time for existence. This is something that may have or may have not. I give 5 of 10, because of the idea, the costumes, the atmosphere. Although there is too much blood - I say bloodbath. The beginning was promising - I thought that it would be a medieval crime movie - because of the mysterious murders , but the point of the movie was not that kind. It is too deep to consider. May be I'm kind a disappointed because of the end: just like the "Spirited Away" - manga movie... But that does not mean the movie is not great.
        7wjc722

        Absolutely Wonderful

        After seeing a preview for this film at my local mall where there is a stand for purchasing foreign films, I thought it looked very entertaining. Before watching the movie i went on to IMDb to see what ratings and comments it received. I was worried when I noticed the low numbers and the negative ratings. Despite the hype, I watched to movie and to my surprise I found it unbelievable.

        The story was great (just pay attention) and the characters and their relationships within the film is astonishing. I haven't seen such a good combination of leading characters in long time. I really felt for both characters and sensed a strong bond. As reading previous posts about this movie not being "epic" enough or a lack of martial arts I could not disagree more. This film is what it is, its not Braveheart and its not Enter the Dragon but it is still a wonderful film that does an excellent job combining story both and action.

        While Sword In The Moon isn't perfect (what movie is?) it still is wonderful and moving. Just wait until the ending scene, with the music and cinematography together, its breathtaking. I only hope more people can see this movie to give it a fair voting.
        7kosmasp

        Revenge is a ... sword better served cold (?)

        Although I reckon it is not just about revenge. There are a lot of topics, like love and honor to name a few others. Unfortunately they get a bit muddled as a different reviewer has pointed out too by all the flashbacks, which may further the story a bit, but also seem to stop the track of the current developments to say the least.

        Having said all that, Korean period pieces are generally at least good in my book. But this never reaches the heights of Musa or Bichunmoo - though I do have to rewatch the latter some day! I have not read the comics/graphic novel this is based on, so I can't talk about differences and similarities. I can say that it is very well made when it comes to action and stunt scenes.

        The ending is a bit weird to say the least, but I love that certain things are not spoken out - rather acted out mostly in facial gestures and small glimpses of understanding ... not the best of the bunch, but a solid effort nonetheless for sure.
        8windmaomao

        better than expected

        Nice movie. At the begining, i thought it's a medieve detective kind hi-fi movie, but the ending totally surprised me. I guess, the whole movie covers too many subjects, each of them can be the main subject,e.g. avenge, friendship, and dream. But it mixed all of them without focusing on any of them. I think, it'd be a great movie if it's built around the ending from the very begining.
        8emvanbeek

        Two close friends, medieval Korean swordsmen, face each other

        Although I saw this movie in Korea, in Korean, and therefore did not understand the language, images sure say more than enough. From what I can make of it, this is the story: Two superb sword fighters become friends in their service as the king's guard. One of them finds himself opposed to the ways of the king and starts assassinating important men. The other has to hunt him down. This movie is visually great. The swordfighting is great. And the movie has a gripping end. I just hope this movie will be marketed for the western cinema goers. And be released on DVD, of course.

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        Storyline

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        Did you know

        Edit
        • Alternate versions
          The UK release was cut, cuts required to remove sight of a snake being stabbed and to horses being tripped and falling dangerously, in order to obtain a 15 classification. These cuts for animal cruelty were made in line with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut classification was not available.

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        Details

        Edit
        • Release date
          • July 16, 2003 (South Korea)
        • Country of origin
          • South Korea
        • Language
          • Korean
        • Also known as
          • Misión de asesinos
        • Production companies
          • IM Pictures
          • SRE
          • White Lee Entertainment
        • See more company credits at IMDbPro

        Box office

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        • Gross worldwide
          • $189,634
        See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

        Tech specs

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        • Runtime
          • 1h 42m(102 min)
        • Color
          • Color
        • Sound mix
          • Dolby Digital
        • Aspect ratio
          • 2.35 : 1

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