The Butterfly Lovers (), also known as The Assassin's Blade or Jiandie (), is a 2008 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Jingle Ma, starring Wu Chun, Charlene Choi, and Hu Ge. The film is based on the Chinese legend of the Butterfly Lovers, but in a wuxia setting.
Zhu Yanzhi disguises herself as a man to join the Carefree Clan and learn martial arts to protect her family. During this time, she meets Liang Zhongshan, a senior member of the clan, and starts a romance with him even though initially he does not realise she is a woman.
When Zhu returns home, she learns that her family have arranged for her to marry Ma Cheng'en, her childhood friend. After she refuses, Ma threatens to kill Liang and Zhu's parents unless she marries him. Zhu reluctantly agrees and lies to Liang that she no longer loves him, causing a heartbroken Liang to leave.
During her wedding, Zhu takes a special herb to fake her death, much to the horror of Ma and everyone present. When Liang learns that Zhu is "dead", he shows up at her funeral, wanting to take her body to bury in Butterfly Valley. Ma refuses to allow Liang to leave with Zhu's body, so the two men duel.
Liang wins the duel against Ma, but ends up being mortally wounded. Before succumbing to his injuries, he digs a grave in Butterfly Valley for her and dies while lying next to her. Zhu, who is still alive, regains consciousness and sees that Liang is dead, so she also gives in to death. When the lovers are finally buried together, a pair of butterflies on Liang's sword flutter and fly away together.