Princess Yang Kwei-fei (1955)
"Yôkihi" (original title)

In eighth century China, the Emperor is grieving over the death of his wife. The Yang family wants to provide the Emperor with a consort so that they may consolidate their influence over ... See full summary »

Director:

Kenji Mizoguchi

Writers:

Ching Doe (screenplay), Matsutarô Kawaguchi (screenplay),

Stars:

Machiko Kyô, Masayuki Mori, Sô Yamamura

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Machiko Kyô	...	Princess Yang Kwei-fei
Masayuki Mori	...	Emperor Xuan Zong
Sô Yamamura	...	An Lushan
Eitarô Shindô	...	Kao Li-hsi
Eitarô Ozawa	...	Yang Kuo-chung (as Saka Ozawa)
Haruko Sugimura	...	Princess Yen-chun
Yôko Minamida	...	Hung-tao
Bontarô Miake	...	Chen-Hsuan-li
Tatsuya Ishiguro	...	Li Lin-fu
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michiko Ai	...	Honghua
Noboru Kiritachi	...	Cuihua
Osamu Maruyama	...	Li Kuei-nien
Sachiko Murase	...	Chengfei
Chieko Murata	...	Lu-hua
Kinzô Shin	...	Servant

Storyline

In eighth century China, the Emperor is grieving over the death of his wife. The Yang family wants to provide the Emperor with a consort so that they may consolidate their influence over the court. General An Lushan finds a distant relative working in their kitchen whom they groom to present to the Emperor. The Emperor falls in love with her and she becomes the Princess Yang Kwei-fei. The Yangs are then appointed important ministers, though An Lushan is not given the court position he covets. The ministers misuse their power so much that there is a popular revolt against all the Yangs, fueled by An Lushan.

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Plot Keywords:

emperor | court | love | china | power | 

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Taglines:

From the Pool of the Maidens...Long-Ago Cathay...A Serving Girl Too Beautiful to be True...Step Into History...In a Story Too Beautiful to Miss...A Magnificent New Film from Japan!

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Japan Hong Kong

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 September 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Princess Yang Kwei-fei

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Studios, Shaw Brothers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Yamiko Kyo was doubled for the bathtub scene by a stripper, as it was considered unthinkable that she should be seen in person in the nude.

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Connections

Referenced in Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director (1975)

User Reviews

mizoguchi again creates one of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen

Princess Yang Kwei Fei is an absolutely wonderfully and touching movie, which features Mizoguchi's astoundingly beautifully storytelling and direction. The Cinderella style story of a peasant step sister who is suddenly made the bride of the emporer and their ultimate love is totally spellbinding. This is not a film to watch lightly, it requires concentration and appreciation of the beauty of the film. If you've never seen anything by Mizoguchi watch Ugetsu as well. It's beautiful and only 90 minutes long for those who can't take subtitles (losers). 10 out of 10.