Introduction
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes is a 2015 historical action film offering the backstory to one of my favorite characters from the original Marco Polo (2014-2016) series. This film is written by John Fusco and directed by Alik Sakharov, both of whom were a part of the original Marco Polo series. This writer/director team promises continuity between Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes and the original series, and they do not disappoint. Stars like Benedict Wong, Tom Wu, Olivia Cheng, and Michelle Yeoh offer the viewer a full house of martial arts talent. Is this film worth the watch? Simply put: yes.
Summary
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes examines the backstory of – as can be guessed – the character One Hundred Eyes. Set against the backdrop of 13th century Asia, the plot explores themes of redemption, wisdom, and the internal conflicts that arise from the intersection of martial prowess and spiritual enlightenment. This film also provides insight into the larger historical context of the Mongol Empire and its encounters with various cultures.
In the series Marco Polo, One Hundred Eyes is a mysterious and skilled monk who faces life-altering circumstances. As they are both outsiders, he becomes Marco Polo’s friend and instructor in Mongolian culture, Taoist martial arts, and life in general. The question that arises from the original series is, “How did a blind Taoist monk come to serve in the court of Kublai Khan?” Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes delves into that backstory and examines this character’s history and how he comes to serve Kublai Khan.
Analysis
As one who studies Taoist martial arts, I found the story presented by Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes to be fascinating. American made martial arts TV shows and films tend to focus on MMA, Japanese martial arts, and occasionally those associated with the Shaolin Temple. Taoist arts and philosophies are notably absent from film catalogs – which makes this a unique addition to Netflix.
Pros
Tom Wu, a well-known martial artist and actor, plays One Hundred Eyes. He is known for his roles in 3 Body Problem (2024), Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), and Skyfall (2012), amongst many other films and TV shows. With a background in Hung Gar, Karate, and Wing Chun – two bronze medals and a gold medal for wushu – Tom Wu was a perfect choice for this role. As One Hundred Eyes he stars opposite Benedict Wong’s Kublai Khan, Michelle Yeoh’s Lotus, and Sam Jellie as the young Prince Jingim. His onscreen presentation of Taoist arts and philosophy is enhanced by this all-star cast.
John Fusco – who wrote the screenplay for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, Marco Polo, and the Forbidden Kingdom – also wrote, as stated above, Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes. This film is directed by Alik Sakharov, who has director credits for Marco Polo, Game of Thrones, and The Witcher. These writing and directing credits suggest which style of film this will be, and this team does not let the audience down. Not only do they provide continuity with the original series, they also deliver fast action, emotional entanglements, and a moral question for the audience to consider.
Cons
I attempt to provide a balanced perspective when reviewing films and would like to present readers with both the positives and the negatives. However, it is difficult to identify anything negative about Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes. The cast is superb and the action scenes are flawless. The fight scene between Tom Wu and Michele Yeoh is noteworthy for both its physical and emotional performance. The one criticism I can offer is that this film is only 28 minutes in length. A longer run time would have allowed for a deeper analysis of One Hundred Eyes’ perspective and provided the audience with a greater exposure to the Taoist arts.
Conclusion
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes is a brilliant, albeit, very short film. The martial arts choreography, presentation of Taoist philosophy, and outstanding cast are reasons for anyone to watch. The breathtaking scenery and a rare glimpse into historical (and fictionalized) Mongolian culture should be enough to convince even the hesitant to find this title on Netflix. My recommendation? Watch it. Even if you have not watched Marco Polo, you will love all 28 minutes of Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes.
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