Curse of the Golden Flower : The Emperor makes no sense in killing the sons

The act that the emperor kills his third son makes no sense to me. And also (indirectly) killed his second son.

As an Chinese emperor, he sure has to have successors to inherit the throne and long the royalty. Even if he later has another son, he will be too young to take the throne when him die and thus, create a chaos of generals killing each other for the throne ( and then the young emperor). That's what happens in China, Japan and Vietnam.

So from a point of view of a Vietnamese, I see no sense in him killing them. Even if he really really hates them.

1. It's just a movie.
2. Because the emperor's dignity can never be violated.
3. He cares nothing but his POWER.

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1. It's just a movie.
2. Because the emperor's dignity can never be violated.
3. He cares nothing but his POWER.

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You could not even turn and walk away from Imperial rulersto show your back to them was punishable by death. You had to bow first, step backwards, then walk away. And that wasn't only in China either.

i think there's a strong argument to be made that by playing their spy games, both the emperor and empress have destroyed their family and undermined their power. the film doesn't end on a prospect of a happy future, but the high likelihood that their own soldiers will now turn on them, or another powerful family will take over.

He killed his third son because his third son killed his first son. Which isn't weird at all.
He didn't want his second son dead at all, but surely he wanted to keep him in control.

Exactly.
Plus: MAJOR spoiler in thread title! (Although it doesn't play out exactly like that.)

I don't really understand why people don't understand this.

I just don't understand people. :D

Sounds recognizable.

If he felt none were worthy, kill them all. Who cares what happens after you're dead.

if man is 5
then the devil is 6
if the devil is 6
then God is 7
and if God is 7