Sacrifice (Zhao shi gu er), directed by Chen Kaige, takes filmviewers back to the era of feudal China, when struggles for power occurred at the provincial level. The film, also known as The Flowers of War, is based on an opera from 583 bce. When the film begins, military leader Tu-Angu (played by Wang Xueqi) takes over rule from the Zhao clan in a coup. The only Zhao left is a baby, who was entrusted by the erstwhile ruler’s wife to the spouse of the court physician (played by Ge You) with instructions to give the baby to one of the military officers with secret pro-Zhao leanings. Tu-Angu forces then go to every house to take away all babies, knowing that one must be that heir. Although the physician’s wife switches her own baby for the Zhao baby, Tu-Angu spares all the children (perhaps so that he can keep an eye on the heir, who is being brought up as if the physician’s child). The baby develops into a child, is featured as a brat at age 8, and at 13 the boy has martial skills. The plot thickens considerably. The Chinese virtue of sacrifice dominates the story. MH