Xi chu bawang (1994)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Directors:

Stephen Shin
Clara Law (co-director)

Writers:

Xiao He (writer)
Heng Liu (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

9 June 1994 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | War

Plot:

Insurrection deposes the tyrannical first emperor of China during the evil Qin Dynasty. Warrior/general...

Plot Keywords:

Battle | Fire | Blood

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Sung Young Chen	...	Fan Kuai
Li Gong	...	Lu Zhi
Rosamund Kwan	...	Yu Ji
Shun Lau	...	Fan Zeng
Ray Lui	...	Xiang Yu
Elvis Tsui	...	Zhong Li-Mei
Hsing-kuo Wu	...	Zi Qi
Chuan Chen Yeh	...	Courtesan
Fengyi Zhang	...	Liu Bang
Mu Zhu	...	First emperor of Qin dynasty

Directed by
Stephen Shin
Clara Law		(co-director)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Xiao He		writer
Heng Liu		writer
Stephen Shin		writer
Yeung-Ping Sze		writer

Produced by
Yimou Zhang	....	producer

Original Music by
Romeo Díaz
James Wong

Cinematography by
Siu-keung Cheng

Production Design by
Kwan Kit Mok

Costume Design by
Kwan Kit Mok

Production Companies

• Long Shong Pictures

Distributors

• Long Shong Entertainment Group (1994) (Canada) (all media)

Also Known As:

King of Western Chu
Sai choh ba wong (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
The Great Conqueror's Concubine (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

Hong Kong:123 min | Israel:177 min

Country:

Hong Kong | China

Language:

Mandarin | Cantonese

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:15

Company:

Long Shong Pictures

Buried treasure: love & politics

I don't believe this film was ever released in the US-- a pity. It's just the stuff that western junkies of Chinese history love: a semi-bio pic from ancient China full of treachery, deceit, love, lust, and all the elements that make lovers of drama smile.

Gong Li as Lu Zhi gets another chance to shine in a deliciously would-be villainess role. It's not that she's heartless, she just feels the need to protect her turf. When that turf is unwittingly encroached upon by the saintly Rosamund Kwan (in one of her best roles), Gong Li gets down and dirty to settle the score. Taking her cue from the old adage, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer", Gong Li befriends her oblivious and naive rival, Lady Yu, with every intention of destroying her. But that's not all...

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Gong Li is determined that no one will get the best of her in this game of love and politics-- not even her own lover or his rival. Pitting hearts against hearts, friendships against friendships, allies against allies, Lu Zhi's character realizes ambition combined with revenge may be the most powerful force on the face of the earth. It might even be able to change history.

This movie has something for everyone: battles, triumphant parades, treachery and moments of romance. Most of all, there is some fine acting and an interesting plot full of twists and turns. It may not be the best epic ever made, but it is definitely worth a look. It is a bit long in run time, but lovers of Gong Li and Chinese history should find many scenes to be very enjoyable watching. Find it if you can.