Customer Reviews

Peking Opera Blues [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I used to love this one and consider it as a sentimental drama. It do has meaning something, in a hilarious, entertainment way. Now I own the DVD, play it over and over again. Finally I can read the hidden message. In it's multilayers there's a little bit of everything. It's feminism above all, IMHO.

It doesn't matter if you know nothing about Chinese history. Tsao Wan could be the most bewildered role to the audience, rebel without a cause. She should knew her action might lead to her father's collapse. Though dress like a man, she's fragile inside. Sheung Hung is a material girl care about only her own profit, provide comic relief. She has justified herself by come to the rescue for Tsao Wan, still lovable. Pat Neil seems to be quite ordinary in comparison, actually toughest of the three leads. Helping uncle Fa escape shows her tenderness. Her wish to be an actress only got the blame everytime there're bad things happen. ( For ex. Troops wrecked the theater. ) Cause only male were allowed to perform on stage at that time. Then I found similar tradition in ancient Britain too. ( Shakespeare In Love ) Women were under restraint by old culture. She grew up in the troupe. She tried to prove her talent, how good she could be, seize every chance. But the first obstacle came from her father, how ironic. ( Well. " It's the trend of time, and the father merely trying to protect her " kind of speech. ) Though she has no ambition, was drawn into the revolute unwittingly. Sally Yeh was trained hard to perform her own acrobatics, without a stunt double. To make the character convincible. She's at her best, never can be more gorgeous than this role. To see greedy warlords scramble for power and profit. How flexible the manager ( Wu-Ma ) is. There're diversity characteristic in this hilarious film.

There're some outtakes in the trailer. The catchy ballad along with the soundtrack quite enjoyable. Those " hide and seek "

roar with laughter scenes. And the metaphor " Life is dramatic " theme. You can watch this film many times and still find things you missed before. My only criticism would be, if they spent more budget on shoot some substantial landscape, might persuade me it's in real Beijing. By the way, I think the English subtitle is O.K. but there's a pun joke it can't deliver well. While the warlord took Pat Neil to blackmail her father, he asked what's tonight's show? It was named " Stubborn King " the true meaning is " force her to be my concubine ". Sorry force you to tolerate my poor English.

First of all, the movie: I was very hesitant to see this movie, as it is relatively old (released around 1986, I think). However, I've become a big fan of HK movies lately, and many critics consider this the quintessential Hong Kong movie. The story centers around the escapades of three women (played by Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh and Cherie Chung, all popular HK starlets), with plenty of action, comedy, espionage and political intrigue set in a Chinese opera house. Although this was one of Tsui Hark's (considered by some the "Spielberg of Hong Kong") earliest works, this is still considered to be his best. Very entertaining movie which, more than any other HK movie I won, is worthy of repeated viewing. One of the few TRUE Hong Kong classics. You won't be disappointed.

The DVD: not the best video quality around, but surprisingly good considered this is a 15-year old Hong Kong movie. The sound is in 5.1 surround sound, and Cantonese and Mandarin audio are provided (with plenty of options for subtitles, including English). Of course, the subtitles can be horrid at times, but you can follow the dialogue easily and they certainly will not detract from your enjoyment of the movie. Trailers for this movie (and a couple others) are included. Nice menus.

Highly recommended. You COULD wait for a special edition, or a remastered version to come out, but I haven't heard of one in the works. Plus, this is still a good quality disk that is worth the purchase.

The most enjoyable aspect of this movie is it's three lead female characters: Tsao Wan, who is the daughter of a powerfull general, Pat Neil, who is an aspiring actress in her father's Chinese opera theater, and Sheung Hung, a mischievous musician chasing after a box of lost jewelry. The three end up joining forces to aid a revolutionary faction, bent on foiling a government plot.

This well-conceived story never drops the ball for a moment, combining tense drama, intrigue, and a lot of great laughs. Brigette Lin's performance as general Tsao's loyalty-torn daughter is especially enjoyable, as are the performances of all the main characters.

Contrary to the tradition Tsui Hark seems to have built for himself, this movie relies very little upon special effects and wire-oriented choreography. Although there is a fair amount of action, this is by no means a martial arts or swordplay film. In nearly all its respects, it is a film which can easily be enjoyed by western audiences, even if they are unfamiliar with the Hong Kong movie tradition.

For fans of Hong Kong cinema, this film is definitely a must-see. It is without question a classic of the genre and guaranteed to entertain.

I saw this movie a long long time ago in Burbank, CA when the mall theater was having a week long HongKong Film Festival. Like eating out, I wanted to try something new. That's why I always tell my little kids, "try it even if it seems a little different, a little strange, you might like it and it might become your favorite." This goes for everything, food, travel, books and movies. I own the VHS version. It is a little rough in quality so I am checking if there is a DVD version out there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The VHS alone cost $27 some odd dollars in 1994. So I am very happy that it is in DVD version. Now, the is simple to follow. The tile roof scene is incredible and the three leading ladies are simply beautiful. I know Hong Kong Films are en vouge right now, but you must see this and own it because it is a classic and I agree, a quentesential of its genre. You will not be dissappointed. Just ignore the goofy English translation, it is part of the fun.

I went out on a limb and bought Peking Opera Blues without having viewed it previously and wasn't disappointed. The film is essential viewing for those interested in Hong Kong cinema or more agressively open action films. The comedy and action are both played above high pitch. My only complaint about the DVD is the language problems on the subtitles. You can get the jist of the dialogue but it lacks the clearness of some better efforts; namely Criterion's supurb The Killer and Hard Boiled. Give Peking Opera Blues a shot and keep an opened mind.

As a college student at Brigham Young University, I have seen literally dozens upon dozens of international films, and this one ranks as near the very top--one of my favorites. Action-packed and hilarious! I have been searching for it for over 5 years. . . and finally found someone who can deliver.

Hollywood likes to think it can make films with strong female characters. However, more often than not, these characters are masculinised and far from sympathetic. Peking Opera Blues shows Hollywood how it should be done. Three strong roles for Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh and Cherrie Chung and not at the expense of excellent male characters such as Mark Cheng's. Also, the feisty three retain all the charm and innocence that the Hollywood versions lack. Tsui Hark creates a visual treat for all film fans and manages to whip the audience into the frothy action. A superb mixture of action, comedy and drama.

There are a handful of movies that would make me smile even if a nuclear apocalypse were raining down outside my window. This is one of them. Even with the typically embarassing Hong Kong-made subtitles ("Its getting crowdy in here.") It deserves to be reissued here in a top-notch version with good new titles and letterboxing. If this happened, it would be canonized as a classic of foreign cinema before the first decade of the new millennium was up. TAI SENG VIDEO, ARE YOU LISTENING!

Few directors in any contry can match Tsui Hark's creativity and virtuosity. This was one of the first movies to attract international attention to Hong Kong cinema. The story is about three women revolutionaries in a 1920's China. The film gracefully fuses comedy, drama, and action. A note to action fans: action sequences are choreographed by Ching Siu Tung, the man who staged action sequences in John Woo's "The Killer." Tsui Hark also produced that movie.

A great film for any Hong Kong movie buff or newbie. How can you beat having three of Hong Kong's most beautiful leading ladies - Brigitte Lin, Cherie Chung, Sally Yeh in the same film? The Chinese opera scenes are beautifully costumed and shot. Tsui Hark is a genius!