Sword Snow Stride is an intriguing wuxia drama that perfectly balances the large scale history with the emotional side of the characters. The show has a political turmoil and a looming war as the backdrop, which supports concepts of loyalty, leadership, and personal identity. It is about a powerful King of Northern Liang by the name of Xu Xiao who has managed to protect his kingdom against external attacks. His son, Xu Feng Nian, a free-spirited and rebellious young man, travels all over the land sharpening his skills in martial arts, and he is a symbol of hope and strength. The fertile cinematography and painstaking production design of the series clearly capture the stormy period, focusing on the enormity of the scenery as well as on the depth of the inner world of the characters.
The acting is a treat, with stoic and yet wise Xu Xiao of Hu Jun framing the story, and the young exuberance and vulnerability of Xu Feng Nian done justice by Zhang Ruo Yun. There are other supporting characters, such as Nan Gong Pu She and Princess Jiang Ni, and each has his/her hidden motivations and feelings. The direction also manages to find a balance between the thrilling fights with some more character-oriented scenes that help the series to create tension at a slow pace. The score is subtle and contributes to crucial emotional accents, as well as makes the experience both visual and auditory. Even though there is a thick plotting and some allusions to untapped motivations, the series is fast moving and keeps the viewer entertained.
The most powerful thing was that the series covers the issues of leadership and sacrifice in the context of chaos and the role of individual power and integrity in affecting the overall conflict. It is not an ordinary story about martial arts, but it is a story about human spirit, its capability to endure hardship. The feeling of awe, hope and thoughtfulness created by the poem Sword Snow Stride leaves an amazing impact of a well-constructed story of loyalty, honor and the ability of courage to change a person.
