Huayi Brothers Media Corporation and Huayi Brothers International Limited present
a Film Workshop Co Ltd and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation production
a Tsui Hark film
In 689 A.D.
upon Emperor Tang Gaozhong's death
Empress Wu a regent for 7 years
would soon be coroneted
as history's first female Emperor.
Royal clansmen and founding officials
resented a woman usurping the throne
and colluded
to overthrow her reign.
Behind its peaceful facade the capital was lurking with danger.
All hell was about to break loose...
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
The Empress hereby decrees:
The Court of State Ceremonials
shall welcome Umayyad diplomat Aspar
and escort him to the Towering Buddha
to revere the Empress's divine glory.
This is Master Jia.
The Buddha is sixty six yards high
symbolizing the sixty sixth heaven
or the ninth cloud...
Uh, please translate for the General.
I already explained it to him.
The General asked if it be ready before the Coronation.
I would think so,
or my life will not be spared.
Huge resources have been spent on this.
2 million catties of metal were used.
More than 1000 catties are burnt each day.
The temperature is too high here.
Bring water and a towel for the General!
The General asked of whom the portrait is.
This is Lu Li our Imperial Chaplain.
He's very powerful and trusted by the Empress!
These are amulets bestowed by the Chaplain.
They can dispel evil and thwart disaster...
Master Jia is here.
Is somebody going to speak with him?
What shall we do?
We better speak up
before lives are lost!
Who should do that?
You go.
Let's go up from here.
Today's so clear we can see miles from here!
Lift him up.
This tubular pillar
is crucial to the Buddha.
It's 82 yards long
and made from one casting.
It is surrounded by 81 steel chains.
In the face of hurricanes or earthquakes,
the chains will pull in the opposite direction,
preventing the Buddha from collapsing.
They're here. Mind your steps,
General, these are the Buddha's two eyes. And here...
Master Jia... Master Jia...
What's the matter?
Please go ahead...
What is it?
When you inspected the pillar yesterday,
you removed some amulets.
Should we put them back?
They haven't been put back?
Moving the amulets will bring bad luck,
so...
after you have moved them,
everybody is so scared...
- Our work has been halted. - Ok, ok, ok...
Put them back right away. Hurry up
This way, please.
Please...
He says we can see the coronation stage here.
The General says...
Sir... Sir...
Water! Hurry up!
Produced by Wang Zhongjur
Producer Wang Zhonglei
Executive Producer Nansun Shi
Executive Producer Peggy Lee
Starring Andy Lau
Starring Carina Lau Li Bingbing
Starring Deng Chao
Special Appearance Tony Leung Ka Fai
Action Director Sammo Hung
Executive Producer Chen Kuo Fu
Produced & Directed by Tsui Hark
Master Xue.
Huh?
Sir, the corpse has been burnt to ashes.
No flesh was left.
Any forensic findings from the corpse?
Sir! We found this on the corpse.
Phosphorus!
The corpse is filled with phosphorus!
In order to melt the copper,
much phosphorus is left inside the Buddha.
I bet this gave the murderer the opportunity
to use what's already in the scene.
Master Jia was burnt by yellow phosphorus!
No.
The flame exploded from inside the body.
Pei? How could the flame explode from inside?
Sir, have a look.
The bones were burnt to ashes.
Though there are ashes inside the shoe,
its outside remains unscathed.
The flame must have been on
the inside to make such remains.
Perhaps!
But the corpse is dense with phosphorus.
Someone must have poisoned his food!
Phosphorus stinks. He couldn't miss it.
Even if he had taken it by mistake,
the symptoms should be shortness of breath and bodily pain.
He shouldn't be aflame.
Cut the crap.
The murderer is among you.
Detain them all for interrogation!
Sir...
You! The supervisor.
Get over here.
Sir...
if you arrest me, our work will be delayed
and we're doomed.
What's in your left hand?
What is this?
I was punished by the Ministry of Justice
and had been jailed for eight years
for being involved in Detective Dee's treason.
Treason?
A dork like you for treason?
Sir, if the Buddha can't be finished on time,
the Empress will blame us.
Supreme Court won't be better off either.
You dare to threaten us with the Empress?
Good. I'll give you want you want.
I'll chop your right hand off as well.
He was struck by divine intervention!
Master Jia was struck by divine intervention!
Out of my way!
What's this crap? Divine intervention?
Master Jia...
moved the amulets during his inspection a few days ago.
Amulets?
Sir...
What superstition!
Divine intervention?
Let divine intervention strike me now!
Detain all who went to the top today
and take them back to Supreme Court.
Donglai, you come with me to the Palace.
Everybody else guards over here.
This case is very important.
I need to report to the Empress in person.
Yes, Sir!
Your Majesty, General Yao just entered,
leading 200 soldiers from Longzhou.
Following behind is General Qiu,
with an army of 600 to protect Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, Master Xue of Supreme Court
and his subordinate Pei request an interview!
Let them approach!
Your Majesty, Pei Donglai of Supreme Court.
Regarding the torched death of Jia Yi,
my preliminary investigation indicates...
Protect Her Majesty!
The Empress hereby decrees:
2000 more imperial guards shall
be garrisoned inside the palace.
Going in or out without permits
is punishable by death.
All flames were replaced by night pearls.
Even the stoves were extinguished!
All food and drinks came from outside...
The Empress has not eaten much.
She's probably still worried...
Your Majesty... Your Majesty.
I'm not hungry!
The coronation is imminent.
Your Majesty should mind your health.
I've even ordered your favorite soup.
You don't need to test-eat anymore.
Leave that to your subordinates.
Your Majesty has saved my life.
I live and die for Your Majesty.
Remember...
you have to stay alive.
Only then can you defeat your enemies.
Since I entered the palace at the age of 14,
I've braved through crisis after crisis.
Had I been careless, I'd have been crushed
and no woman would ever ascend the throne.
Your Majesty, dinner is safe to eat.
The Imperial Chaplain's Magic Deer is here.
Everything is transient
follow Heaven's Mandate.
Welcome, Chaplain.
Everyone, on your knees!
Yes, Your Majesty.
The astronomical phenomena have been chaotic.
An evil availed of my spiritual sabbatical
to disturb the royal soil against nature.
Would the Chaplain please enlighten me?
The evil has been committing crimes
as Venus has left the Palace for 8 years.
It's being locked up and has not returned.
Locked up? Is Venus a prisoner?
Venus originated from Yang Qui of Di City.
Left the Palace for 8 years?
Originated from Dee City?
Does the Chaplain mean Detective Dee?
8 years ago, Dee opposed your regency
and was jailed for treason.
If we release him,
the dissenters will become more recalcitrant!
Please think twice, Your Majesty.
As soon as Venus has returned,
chaos will end and all stars are at peace.
Find out whether Dee is dead or alive?
MINISTER OFFICE
Welcome, Officer Shangguan.
- Dong Jin of Jiang Nan reported that he wants to...
The South needs 6,000 soldiers to suppress the barbarians.
Memorial to be transferred to Military Dept.
The South also reported that...
the river flooding destroyed houses and farmlands.
Memorial to be transferred to Public Works Dept.
The South has been such a mess lately.
After the flood came the plague.
Here come the memorials to the throne.
Hurry up and burn the memorials.
Stop nagging like a girl. Get to work!
Memorials are prescriptions for the state.
We know the state's illness by reading them.
But the memorials in recent years show that
people's livelihood has improved and are living in contentment.
So what?
You really think you can get out of here?
Ling...
Yes...
Perhaps it's time I left here.
What are you talking about?
Oh! I hear that! Quite a few men...
You said if you were to leave here alive,
you might have to fight a big battle...
A battle of life and death.
Remember what I taught you?
Got it!
Push the cart!
20 cm to the left!
1 cm below!
Do it again!
Kill the assassins!
Quick! Quickly now!
Kill the assassins!
Protect Her Excellency!
Get lost!
Watch out! Someone's on the roof!
Hidden arrows! Get down!
No, they are going to jump!
Don't let the assassins flee! Capture them alive!
They all died.
You follow me up! Don't let anyone flee, dead or alive!
Yes!
You! Go after the archer on the roof!
Yes!
No need to chase.
This is a maximum security prison,
and yet they can come and go at ease.
They must be abetted by someone inside.
Nonsense!
How can the killers be our men?
The killers from outside
must know someone from inside.
These people are too powerful for you.
Perhaps not for her.
This official is elegantly dressed with an impressing bearing.
It doesn't look like you're from here.
I bet you're from the Palace.
No need.
He's really blind.
Why did you feign blindness?
The world is marked by misfortunes.
I tried to stay away but failed after all.
If I'm blind like him
I can be at peace.
Your prediction is right on track.
You said the day that trouble found you
would be the day you could leave jail.
It's a pity we can't leave together.
I got nothing to do with the world outside.
But you never manage to extricate yourself.
Thanks for keeping me company all this time.
We are beyond such formality.
Perhaps you'll discover that being outside
is not as free as being inside.
You think I'm right?
Military examination in the year 689!
On the right is Chen from Xiangzhou
his weapon will be the iron rod.
On the left is Yen from Yangzhou
his weapon will be the meteor hammer.
The tournament begins!
Your Majesty, Dee has been brought here.
You knew you're coming to see me,
but you're still in prison clothes
and you didn't even shave?
Years ago when I opposed your regency,
I had already been accused of treason.
Now that your coronation is imminent,
even if I got out of these prison clothes,
I might have to put them on again soon...
So I decided not to change.
Leave us alone.
You too, Jing'er.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The Crown Prince was very little then.
I helped him rule as an Empress Dowager.
What's wrong with that?
And yet you had to oppose.
During my rule for the last 8 years,
the state is incorrupt and the people rich.
Even the Prince begged me in writing to ascend the throne.
What more can you say?
Nothing.
You men are just not used to women in power.
One can't be conservative in state matters
but has to reform constantly.
Reform is good,
but all new things will turn old one day.
While the old are being replaced by the new,
if that involves their lives as well,
then rebellions become inevitable.
Not only men... even dogs will try to flee.
Detective Dee is still Detective Dee.
Your words are so hurtful to the ears.
That was your badge.
I'm returning it to you.
You shall be my Imperial Commissioner
in charge of the Phantom Flame Case.
You shall work with Supreme Court
to crack the case before my coronation!
Why do you keep following me?
Her Majesty knows you've suffered in jail
and specifically ordered me to serve you.
You have such a murderous look.
It must be a pain to be served by you!
So lively here?
There are more people inside the inn.
The Prince of Lanya is having a banquet.
Li Xiao commands an army of 100,000
and is haughty because of his royal status.
He is at loggerheads with the Empress
and has long intended to revolt.
He must be involved in this case.
You better check him out.
Having the intention to revolt
does not mean he's involved in this case.
You better get it right.
These are your clothes before you were jailed.
Only my Dragon Taming Mace is missing.
It's getting late.
You want to stay here with me?
Have you forgotten?
Her Majesty has ordered me to serve you.
To serve me?
What are you standing there for?
Get me some water. I need to shave.
You call this service?
Look at you! Neither male nor a...
That's how you serve people?
That's how I serve you!
I've given you the blade.
Come, shave for me.
The Empress asked you to serve me,
but don't take it in face value.
She wants you to spy on me but also to test you...
I'll report every word to Her Majesty.
All right, let me tell you this.
She does not believe in anyone.
If we really become together,
her intense suspicion
will turn her against you.
Why do you stop shaving?
My beard is not there...
It's here.
I suggest you tell her we can't get along.
That will set her mind at peace.
Let me see if she is what you said she is.
Don't make it difficult for yourself.
If you don't want it, don't force yourself.
But do you want it?
Why didn't you tell me sooner?
I gave you the whip. You still didn't get it?
Don't touch me.
There're assassins!
Move and hide!
I've been waiting for you, Brother Dee.
Why aren't you on your knees?
I'm chasing suspects. No time for formality.
What suspects are you chasing?
The Phantom Flame was staged by the Chaplain
under the order of the Empress!
She wants to usurp the throne
and eliminate old officials like us.
I'm occupied. See you later!
Dee, receive the Military Tally!
With this tally, you can deploy any troops.
In view of your loyal nature,
I'm inviting you to join my Army of Justice.
I'm in command of 100,000 soldiers
and have a fail-proof plan
to overturn the evil Empress!
Assassins!
Protect the Duke!
That's outrageous, Li Xiao!
How dare you rave like that?
I won't chat with you
now that she's here.
But you remember,
one of these days...
you'll grovel before me
and take my orders.
Remember!
Grovel before me and take my orders...
He's hopeless. Let's go.
You will ruin your integrity!
He must have ordered the kill just now.
Why kill me if he wants to buy me off?
He wants you dead as he can't buy you off.
No.
He doesn't want me dead.
It's someone else who does.
The Empress hereby decrees:
Mysterious cases are rampant lately.
These are works of villains
who are spreading fallacies to cheat people.
I hereby appoint Dee as Imperial Commissioner
to lead Supreme Court to solve the
Phantom Flame Case before my Coronation.
I humbly receive the Imperial Edict.
Commissioner, you do have a unique style.
You bring your bird out while on duty?
Don't underestimate it.
It can solve crime.
Where's the sun so early in the morning?
This is the mortuary. This way, please.
The bird is afraid to go in.
Find someone outside to take care of it.
The deceased was Jia of the 4th rank,
Vice Minister of Public Works.
On the 17th day of the 8th month, 1-3pm...
he was self-burnt to ashes inside the Buddha...
What do you think of this case?
Go watch over the "evidence" outside.
I was ordered to follow you closely.
You want to return this badge to the Empress?
Don't touch the evidence or get too close!
Shut the door!
Keep reading.
The deceased was Xue of the 3rd rank...
Louder!
The deceased was Xue...
You can speak now.
The murder technique is not human.
Cut the generality. You're not to the point.
Who do you think it is?
Rumor has it that the Chaplain Lu Li
is on a murder spree before the Coronation.
To set an example and warn the dissenters
not to act rashly.
Jia was sent by the Empress. Why kill him?
She's unfathomable.
I read Jia's memorials before.
He inspected the Buddha every month.
The time-table for the Buddha is very tight.
Wouldn't killing him hinder the Coronation?
You read Master Jia's memorials?
I read memorials at the Liaison Office
before they were burnt every day.
Moving the amulet causes divine intervention.
The Chaplain is killing with black magic.
You believe all this nonsense?
It's evident. Why can't I believe it?
You're lying.
We both know the amulets are just a front.
The murderer is trying to hide the truth.
She's still spying on us.
Let's play her.
According to your theory,
you'll be promoted after Xue died.
That makes you a suspect as well.
Then why do you think I killed Master Jia?
You killed Master Jia as a diversion.
Your real target is your superior.
That fits your hypothesis squarely.
Perhaps your real goal
is to thwart the Coronation.
Don't stop.
I'm done...
Start again till I ask you to stop.
Twice already. There's nothing to read!
The deceased Detective Dee is fighting with Minister Pei.
You're framing me!
Didn't you ask us to play her?
I was acting. Couldn't you tell?
Sir... the birdcage is on fire, Master Pei!
Sir... Sir...
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Detective Dee!
Your evidence is aflame like those officials.
Let's go to the kitchen.
What's for lunch?
Stir-fried cucumbers with snow lotus.
Any chicken blood?
Over there.
What's he doing?
He probably found out why the victims caught fire.
Master Xue caught fire at 3-5pm
when the sun descended towards the west.
The Buddha was surrounded by shadows.
But once he's in the drill ground, he started catching fire.
because the drill ground was uncovered.
So I infer that the sun triggers the poison!
Let's stay away from this.
Watch out.
Detective Dee!
Fancy seeing you again before I die!
That's Fate.
We're kept alive for a purpose.
You're back in Supreme Court?
The Empress put me in charge of the Phantom Flame Case.
Dee's position is unclear.
We can't let him dupe us.
Let's join forces and watch over him.
Join forces?
I work directly under the Empress.
It's not up to you to make suggestions.
What's the matter?
Before the accidents, both officials
did one thing besides
moving the amulets.
What is it?
Drinking water.
They both drank the water here
and they were killed by in taking that liquid poison.
But that can't be!
I was supposed to move the amulet first.
Master Xue just happened to come before me.
If the murderer killed because of the amulet,
how did he know Master Xue would snatch it
and poison the water beforehand?
It should have nothing to do with the water.
You work directly under the Empress.
Do you need to hear my humble opinion?
After I was in jail,
I kept professing my loyalty in writing.
Eventually the Empress pardoned me.
I joined the Department of Public Works,
in charge of repairing royal palaces.
I was then made supervisor of the Buddha.
In other words, I've been promoted.
How magnificent!
The Tubular Pillar in the Book of Fanyanna?
Yes, I was inspired by the Fanyanna Buddha.
The pillar's base is 100 feet underground.
It can withstand earthquakes
and hurricanes.
This is the top level of the Buddha.
Master Jia died inside the Buddha's left eye.
You were also re-enacting the case?
After working under you for so many years,
I've been used to case re-enactment.
So what have you learnt?
Fire turtles...
What are fire turtles?
You also read Book of Fanyanna.
Remember the section on fire turtles?
What do you mean?
The most venomous beetles in Western Regions.
They feed on yellow phosphorus
and their bodies catch fire under the sun.
So the beetles are related to the two deaths?
I witnessed what happened that day.
Only later did I think of the fire turtles.
Stop it, Donglai!
You knew this clue all along.
Why did you rant about divine intervention?
As a menial
I used my wit when threatened.
To be honest, even if I'd told you my theory,
given your wisdom, you wouldn't believe it.
You son of a bitch!
Calm down. I've known him for years.
That's how he is.
Come!
Detain him for extreme torture later.
Yes.
Stop!
Donglai.
The Empress has asked me to lead the case.
I can decide everything without intervention.
All of you stand down!
What other clues do you have? Spit it out!
I'm only speculating.
After all, fire turtles are not indigenous.
For more details
we need help...
Phantom Bazaar.
What is Phantom Bazaar?
It's a spooky pandemonium.
High officials like you would never go there.
Shatuo...
you still remember Donkey Wang?
Luoyang City was built
a thousand years ago.
The old city subsided during Han Dynasty.
A new city was built on top in Sui Dynasty.
The underground became a black market.
They call it Phantom Bazaar.
Who ordered a boat?
We ordered a boat to Dr. Donkey Wang.
You know the place?
Wang the Donkey with Scabies?
Five silver coins. Nonrefundable!
Anybody here?
Hey!
You're still alive, Detective Dee?
Scram! This is no place for official curs!
I'm here to save you.
Save me? No, I'm fine!
I don't want trouble!
Now that I'm here
your good days are over.
True, you always bring me trouble.
I'm really so sorry.
If you don't go, I'll go.
I'll move house.
Pei! Give me the money!
What do you want to know?
Ever heard of fire turtles?
Fire turtles? This creature...
It has been reported that they're extinct.
I have no idea.
Could it be they exist in Central Plains?
It's no use.
You won't solve this case!
Pay up!
Don't worry.
Tell us first and I'll pay.
I'll only tell you after you've paid.
What is it?
I'll pay after you've told us.
I'll only speak after you've paid.
Stay away!
There's somebody above!
Hey, where's Detective Dee?
He's chasing Dr. Wang!
It's the Imperial Chaplain!
Impossible!
Split! Can't you split? Split!
Dr. Wang!
You get in first.
Jing'er is in trouble! I'll help her!
Donglai! Jing'er! Move!
Who is he?
Why does the Chaplain want to kill him?
He's not the Chaplain!
How can you be so sure?
I'm positive he isn't...
Hey! The Chaplain is over there!
It's him again!