Product Details

• Actors: Jing Ning, Gang Wu, Xiaorui Zhao, Yang Gao, Xu Zhengyun
• Directors: Ping He
• Writers: Daying Ye, Feng Jicai
• Producers: Chun-keung Chan, Naiming Yung
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Evergreen Ent
• VHS Release Date: September 17, 1996
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303809928
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,391 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is an initially fascinating but ultimately wearying tale of forbidden love along the Yellow River in turn-of-the-century China. Niu Bao (Wu Gang), a talented but immature artist, is hired by the heir of a fireworks empire to restore paintings in the family's grand factory-compound. Bao obliges the "master," who is actually a young woman named Chunzhi (Jing Ning). The film's inherent, powerful metaphors--a fireworks dynasty literally sitting on a massive powder keg, a violent river that isolates Chunzhi's citadel from the rest of the world--are tremendously compelling. By the middle of the script, however, there isn't much left to say about Bao and Zhi's doomed affair; yet director Ping He keeps saying it over and over again. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A firecracker with a long fuse, January 25, 2008

By 

Gabe "Just a couchless potato" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker (DVD)

One of the hazards of catching films at International Film Festivals is that what a lot of critics may consider artistic, I find dreary and pedantic. There are many critically acclaimed directors who seem to thrive on boring the audience to death.

But among the arty-farty films, there are a few that sticks in my mind and these I consider good. If years later I can still recall scenes and plots, I think the film has made an impact.

Firecracker is one such film for me. The pace is not blockbuster pacing, but the story is one of duty and obligation in conflict with passion and love; of the responsibility one has to one's family and the people who depend on the family, and one's desire to be free to pursue one's desire.

On the other hand is the story of one man reaching beyond his station, and being all he can or want to be. To reach for the unreachable and being willing to meet death or worse, for his dream.

The climax is explosive, but the fuse burns long.

And the denouement may not satisfy all (if you read the other reviews).

But 10 years or so after watching the movie, I still remember it fondly.

Not a Disney ending.

Now if only it weren't $155...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking love story!, April 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This a beautiful story of unrequited love,passion felt and denied,jealousy,rivalry,and sacrifice.The actress who played"The Master"brings an incredible sensitivity to her role.I felt for Niu Bao as he falls in love with the unattainable. My utter contempt for Mann grew with each passing moment! Well worth seeing again and again!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and moving, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The cinematography in this film was artfully done. I loved the texture and vivid richness of it. There is an especially beautiful scene by the Yellow River. This film is filled with all of the human elements - frustration, jealousy, humour, love, art and tragedy. If these things appeal to you, see this movie and you won't be disappointed!