The Soong Sisters (1997)
"Song jia huang chao" (original title)

The Soong family was a political dynasty in China that reached the highest levels of power. This film follows the lives of the three Soong daughters, who were educated in America and ... See full summary »

Director:

Mabel Cheung

Writer:

Alex Law

Stars:

Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu

10 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Maggie Cheung	...	Soong Ching-ling / Madam Sun
Michelle Yeoh	...	Soong Ai-ling / Madam Kung (as Michelle Khan)
Vivian Wu	...	Soong May-ling / Madam Chiang
Winston Chao	...	Sun Yat-Sen
Hsing-kuo Wu	...	Chiang Kai-Shek (as Hsing Kuo Wu)
Zhenhua Niu	...	H.H.Kung (as Zhen Hua Niu)
Elaine Jin	...	Madam Soong
Wen Jiang	...	Charlie Soong

Storyline

The Soong family was a political dynasty in China that reached the highest levels of power. This film follows the lives of the three Soong daughters, who were educated in America and returned to China. Ai-ling (the oldest) married a wealthy and powerful businessman. Ching-ling married Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary founder of modern China. Mei-ling (the youngest) married Chiang Kai-shek, China's leader during World War II. The sisters captured the world's fascination for their brilliant marriages and their strong influence on their nation.

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Plot Keywords:

china | power | politics

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Taglines:

One loved money. One loved power. And one loved China.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong Japan China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

1 May 1997 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

The Soong Sisters

Filming Locations:

Beijing Film Studio, Beijing, China

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuji Television Network, Golden Harvest Company, Pony Canyon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Main Title"
Written by Kitaro
Performed by Kitaro and Randy Miller
Courtesy of PONYCANYON

User Reviews

There is nothing more moving than the history itself

One should not use the word "entertaining" to describe this movie. I watched the movie with unspeakable emotions. It is only when one can feel the awe at how the fate of the Soong sister was intertwined with the fate of modern China, that one can really appreciate the movie. It is my personal observation that the Soong sisters are also the 3 major representatives of the Chinese people today, but if only they could work together like the Soong sisters...

In terms of performance, the earlier part of the movie is spoiled by the horrid acting of Winston Chao. For the great father who liberated modern China from the rotten feudalism of the Qing dynasty, wasn't the producer obliged to find a more compelling actor for the role?