Hero by Zhang Yimou is a rare production in the history of Chinese cinema. In addition to achieving blockbuster status in the West that few Chinese films have managed to achieve, it is also enjoying huge success domestically. Nevertheless, like many other well-received films that preceded it, Hero has been subject to varied interpretations. Critics seem particularly unable to comment on the traditional Chinese philosophy behind Hero. Some see it as the epitome of Confucian teachings on loyalty (Louie), while others argue that it "chooses a legalistic narrative to judge the moral health of the nation... [and] calls into question the social morality of Confucianism » (Rawnsley). . However, few looked at Hero through the prism of Taoism. However, the Taoist influence in this film is undeniable. By describing the life of youxia (knight-errant), combining wen and wu (literary and martial), and expounding the idea of ​​tianzizhijian (the sword of the Son of Heaven), Zhang Yimou introduces Taoist ideals into the narrative of the classic . Chinese tale, the assassination of Emperor Qin by Jing Ke. Knight-errant The concept of youxia was first introduced by Sima Qian, in Shiji (around 100 BC), as someone "honest in his words, effective in his actions, faithful in his promises, and fearless in his offerings" . his life to free the righteous from slavery” (Guo 35). According to Sima Qian's record, these courageous individuals, most of whom lived on the eve of the Warring States period, often resorted to violence to secure personal justice for themselves, regardless of the consequences of their actions. As this image of Youxia transcended time, the individualistic personality, anarchist attitude, and high moral standard became the predominant characteristics of the knight-errant (Li...... middle of paper...... Chinese Global Cinema: The Culture and Politics of the Hero Eds. Gary D. Rawnsley and Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley New York: Routledge, 2010. 27-42. Way. Trans. Victor H. Mair New York: Bantam Books, 1990. Print. Liu, James JY The Chinese Knight Errant London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1967. Print. of Manliness." Global Chinese Cinema: The Culture and Politics of the Hero Eds Gary D. Rawnsley and Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley New York: Routledge, 2010. 53-61, Gary. of Chinese Martial Arts." World Chinese Cinema: The Culture and Politics of the Hero Eds Gary D. Rawnsley and Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley New York: Routledge, 2010. 13-26. . Print.Zhang, Yimou, dir. Hero. Sil-Métropole Organization SA, 2002. DVD.