Peking Opera Blues (1986) User Reviews

An intense period action comedy.

[OllieSuave-007 · 7/10 · 18 May 2015]

This is an intense action comedy from director Hark Tsui, a story set in post-Chinese Revolution of 1911 where triad members fought each other for power while Sun Yat-Sen's underground movement tried to establish a democratic republic. Mixed into the plot are three young women, played brilliantly by Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh and Cherie Chung. Lin plays Tsao Wan, who is the daughter of a general. Yeh plays opera actress Pat Neil and Chung plays small time thief Sheung Hung. All three get entwined within the feuding wars of two triad groups that drags them back and forth between the Royal Palace and the Peking Opera.

This film blends in action and political satire, to give you an entertaining tale of drama of sacrifice. There are some pretty intense moments as well, from scenes of gun battles to a scene of torture, courtesy of Mark Cheng and Brigitte Lin. All this put added suspense to the film that gives an intriguing aura of tough times during post-revolution China and the yearning of freedom and better lives among its Chinese subjects. Amidst all the carnage and drama is comic relief, most notably provided by Cherie Chung.

Overall, it's a rushed film with a lot of chaos thrown in the mix. But, it's pretty entertaining.

Grade B-

Not for beginners

[Matti-Man · 8/10 · 26 June 2007]

Opinion seems pretty evenly divided on PEKING OPERA BLUES. One camp regards it as possibly the best film to come out of Hong Kong in the last twenty years, while the other camp thinks it's "stoopid".

Oddly, I come down somewhere between the two.

The first thing to understand is that POB is NOT a kung fu film. Yes, it has fighting in it. It has gunplay and it even has torture. But it is not a kung fu film. Mostly, it's a comedy adventure and those of us familiar with Hong Kong cinema will be well-aware that Hong Kong humour is, at best, an acquired taste, especially for us gwai-loh.

The next thing to understand is that its importance lies in the way it completely subverts the traditional gender roles in Chinese society. Some of this lies on the surface - in the way that Cherie Chung's character tries to get some stage acting in but is chastised by her father for it (at this time in China, all female roles on stage were played by men). Some of this lies in the subtext - in the way that Brigitte Lin's character is completely in charge of both her female and her male companions. And some of it lies in between - in the way that Lin dresses as a man (a long and honorable tradition in Chinese storytelling), but a bit odd here as she's not actually *disguised* as a man.

Add to this that all three female leads are headstrong women who know what they want (Brigitte Lin is just stronger, even, than the other two) and that the men are followers (Mark Cheng follows orders, then Brigitte, and Kwok Keung Cheung just follows Mark) and you can begin to see the impact this must have had when it came out in 1986 - years before we had Xena Warrior Princess or Veronica Mars.

Overall, I think POB is a good movie, though probably not a great one. When I watch it (I have the dodgy DeltaMac DVD release with the eccentric subtitling - "There's a girl. Knock her up!") I just can't help feeling that this should have been much better than it was.

Maybe if Tsui Hark were to do a remake today, POB would be the movie it always deserved to be ...

A carousel of colors and suspenseful (yet, sometimes improbable) situations, all for the sake of the republic!

[vid-10 · 8/10 · 27 March 2004]

In Peking Opera Blues, director Tsui Hark takes us back to 1913 China: daughter of the general Tsao-Wan [Lin Ching Hsia] is torn between the love for her father, who plans to secure a loan from the Europeans in order to aid president Yuan, and the support for a rebellious group, who see in Yuan's leadership a peril for the republic and therefore plan to unmask him by stealing the loan papers and handing them to the congress.

The movie follows the deeds of three women, different by social class (one is daughter of the general, another one a greedy street musician whose goal is to get rich and leave China, the third one a theatre performer - or, more precisely, an aspiring theatre performer, as acting at the time was only allowed to men) and, yet, put together by Fate. As the three eventually join forces, we get to see a lot of colorful Peking Opera performing, as well as amusing and endearing situations. The movie, indeed, deals with the problems of mutual trust and loyalty, especially in those situations when the ideals come to clash against the personal ambitions.

The only aspect of the movie I was a bit put off by is the ease with which the group is always able to escape the most dangerous situations. Even the hardest-to-die Bruce Willis would have been puzzled on how to leave the mansion... and Spiderman himself would need more than one try to leap successfully from a mansion to the top of a tower! Apart from this, Peking Opera Blues is a beautiful movie, more over enriched by a gripping soundtrack, dazzling theatre choreography and, most of all, an intense story that is sure to make you smile with joy at some moments and shiver with terror in other circumstances. 8/10

Tsui Hark's best action-comedy. One of best HK films ever.

[johnrlewis · 4 March 2000]

A strange, unique, but very accessable mix of hard action and outrageous comedy. Bigitte Lin is disguised as a man as usual. Great rooftop kungfu and shooting action. This is one of the best Hong Kong films ever made. Another difference from standard HK fare is that the three heroes are all women.

Peking Opera Blues

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 14 July 2018]

This Chinese is one I found in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, it was rated well by critics, who said it is dazzling and a spectacle, I certainly hoped it would be, directed by Hark Tsui (Once Upon a Time in China). Basically set in 1913 in Beijing, during Yuan Shikai's presidency of the country, when the Chinese revolution overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. Tsao Wan (Brigitte Lin) is patriotic rebel and the daughter of General Tsao (Kenneth Tsang). Sheung Hung (Cherie Chung) is a petty thief who takes a box of jewels during a loot. Bai Niu (Sally Yeh) is the daughter of the impresario and owner of the Peking Opera theatre. To help the guerrillas who are fighting for the republic, Tsao Wan must steal an important document from her father's safe. Bai Niu dreams of being an actress, but even female roles are played by men in the opera. The exploits of Tsao Wan and those of her two friends Sheung Hung and Bai Niu flow back and forth between the Imperial Palace and the theatre of the Beijing Opera, climaxing in a dizzying rooftop fight. Also starring Mark Cheng as Ling Pak-Hoi, Kwok Keung Cheung as Tung Man, Feng Ku as Commander Liu, Wu Ma as Mr. Wong, Paul Chun as Fa Gum-Sao, Po-Chih Leong as Mr. Kam and Ha Huang as General Tun. I just about kept up with the sprawling storyline, the three female leads all bring their own likeable personalities that challenge the sexist prejudices of the time it is set, the farcical comedy and political satire make you laugh, the costumes and scenery is colourful, and the fight, bloody moments and chase sequences are well choreographed and exhilarating, a fun and satisfactory period action adventure. Very good!

Definitely one of the greatest films of all time

[devilside · 10/10 · 3 March 2005]

absolutely perfect film-making in a way that storytelling here is of foremost interest and not just great shots and cinematography like overrated Wong Kar Wai and Zhang Yimou used to do. This film beautifully depicting characteristic traits of China like its values, culture and principles and cleverly Tsui Hark let this clashed with politics, authority and government - which the last lyrical image of the laughing Peking Opera actor beautifully addressing to that political institutions are very transient but not Chinese valuable roots and traditions.

Sure, it's not evidently among Tsui Hark's bigger masterpieces like "Seven Swords" or "Once Upon A Time In China", but yet i think this surely should be compared to those greatest classics in the world but it's very difficult when a lot of people can't respect and understand Chinese traditions, so what we now have here is a tremendously underrated masterpiece that should be studied in the years to come, because is very inspirational how to tell a story in a visual way. Peking Opera Blues is the perfect paradigm.

I'll never forget this truly great film.

Sunday afternoon fairytale

[nataraj · 6/10 · 19 December 2004]

In contrast to films like "iron monkey" or "tai chi boxer" there is almost no kung fu in this movie. The story is less than gripping and I am not even sure the comedy is intended at all times.

The characters' motives, their background: virtually non-existent, though it is very easy to tell the goodies from the baddies: Baddies die, goodies don't.

Still this isn't too bad a way to spend an hour and half in the same way an old Fred Astaire dance film can be the right stuff to watch on Sundays - not remotely comparable to current films, not even thrilling, anything but real. Just sort of ...

Nice.

Great fun

[susansweb · 10/10 · 5 November 2002]

Before I saw this movie, I had always considered Chinese opera rather boring. Now I would be willing to give it a chance. Not that any Chinese opera would be like this movie. Even though the movie is full of amazing stunts and also very funny, the film doesn't veer in the realm of ridiculous like a lot of movies in this genre do. Part of the credit must go to the three convincing female leads, each one with a different strength. Director Tsui Hark also should be given credit by keeping the movie together even while our three heroines are pursuing different goals (success, greed and justice). A fun movie for all.

Doth Action make a Plot thicker?

[film-critic · 6/10 · 11 May 2009]

"Peking Opera Blues" gets a mediocre score mainly due to a heightened excitement at the end, but lacking a strong introduction. There was something exciting about this film within the final thirty minutes, but this film had to be watched during the day. Evening viewings made me sleepy, thus forcing to re-watch the beginning four to five times. This was a challenging film, with intense action and sexual innuendo, it was groundbreaking for the late 80s, but it just didn't have a voice. I don't think I could watch this film again. It was exciting, just not excitable. Remember - there was a cross-dressing woman randomly placed, jackets can block a barrage of bullets, and jewels do not a plot make.

One Of My All-Time Favorite Movies

[coconutkungfu-30704 · 10/10 · 20 February 2020]

An incredible cast lead by the amazing Birgitte Lin star in this expertly crafted film from auteur Tsui Hark. The comedy is funny, the music is great, the acting is good and the action scenes are well done. Add to this an interesting plot and a fast pace and you get an amazing film that expertly jumps between genres. Entertaining from frame one, this is one of my all-time favorites.

10 out of 10

Wild, unique, overwhelming, and quite fun

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 7/10 · 11 March 2023]

I do have to admit, I found this film quite hard to follow. It moves very fast and also feels like it changes tonally on a scene by scene basis. Eventually, I just had to accept that it was an espionage movie with like five main characters (three women and two guys, though the female characters are ultimately given the spotlight most of the time) doing various spy things, at first for their own reasons, and then more or less for similar reasons? Maybe? I got what they were doing, but the why was a little fuzzier.

Thankfully, it was still a fun time, even if it was also a bit overwhelming and sometimes confusing. It balances all its different genres and tonal shifts well, and that's something that can be appreciated even without following the story beat for beat.

It's also got some very good action scenes, which I was hoping for, given the director, Tsui Hark, is known for mastering the action genre (I've seen his Once Upon a Time in China movies, which were really good from memory).

And overall, I feel pretty confident in saying Peking Opera Blues was good. If it got a remaster with slightly better subtitles one day, I'd happily rewatch it, because I also think some of my confusion came from the English subtitles not being the best.

This Movie is Awesome

[Haruka-2 · 10/10 · 22 August 2000]

You'd never see a movie like this in Hollywood. A pack of strong, intelligent women dominating every scene, of course not. The characters are interesting and distinct. Each action scene is fun and engaging. This film has everything you could ever want in a film, comedy, violence and a touch of romance. Not to mention the excellent lead actress Brigitte Lin who's performance is memorable.

It had potential but fell flat

[The-Sarkologist · 6/10 · 19 October 2013]

There is not much that I can really talk about this movie. It isn't one that addresses any really serious issues. All I can really do is give one a quick run down on what it is about and some of the more interesting points in regard to it. Des Mangan, one of SBS's reviewers, absolutely loves this movie (he said so before hand) and puts it down as a cult movie. I don't think that it deserves Cult status, and has not become apart of my collection, but it is still a reasonable movie.

Peking Opera Blues is a Hong Kong movie set in 1913 during the beginning of the Chinese Republic. It is set in a town, Peiping or something like that, in South China. The current general is bankrupt and flees because he cannot pay his guards. Then a new general moves in who is involved in a conspiracy to turn South China into a military dictatorship, and his daughter is determined to stop it. Being caught up in this conspiracy is the daughter of a theatre owner, a guard who is about to be killed by his comrades, and a maid from the previous general who is trying to find the jewels she stool.

The movie seems to offer the possibility of some fight scenes, but in the end there are not that many. The only cool scene was when the guard was wielding four bolt action rifles at once and shooting all of the other guards in the corridor. There seemed to be potential for fantastic martial arts, but that never really arose. The end was promised to be a bonanza, but that never really eventuated either.

I can't really think of anything else that I can describe within this movie. There is no really overriding theme, though there is the possibility of women's rights. The women in the movie all seem to be resentful of male dominance: one wants to be an actor but can't because she is a woman, while the general's daughter cuts her hair short to symbolise her desire to be more of a man. The male heroes in the movie are sort out by the girls, and it is the girls who lose out when both of them are taken. In fact the movie seems to move more from the view of the women than the men - the men are what would be the love interests in typical American movies (and Hong Kong movies as well).

I guess this movie wasn't all that bad. There was a lot of untouched potential, and I was never actually board during it. It was interesting enough to keep my attention for the duration. The action scenes weren't fantastic but they were enough to hold me for a while.

crazy and fun

[FilmLabRat · 9/10 · 22 April 2003]

Really enjoyable film in so many ways ... funny, clever, exciting, thrill ride from start to finish. What the plot is or means we may never exactly know [what is that coveted document everyone is willing to die for, anyway? and how is the second general connected to the first?], but we get the basic story idea. Subtitles are such poor translations to make them added humor. I know this doesn't sound like a winner, but trust me - a bonafied "don't miss" feature.

Peking Opera Blues is a modern classic of Hong Kong cinema.

[khanbaliq2 · 9/10 · 20 September 2009]

First I should mention that I enjoy watching films from Hong Kong. Even so, I didn't find out about Peking Opera Blues for some time. Sure I've seen another popular film by director Tsui Hark; the excellent Once Upon A Time In China. But the reason I didn't get to watch Peking Opera Blues earlier is because it's not easy to find. It's not readily available online or in video stores like other Hong Kong films, and it wasn't available at my local library. After that, having read reviews about how good the film is I decided to find it. It was available at the city library so I headed there and checked out the DVD. The opening of the film is reminiscent of the opening from Once Upon A Time In China. It contains shots of Peking Opera performers along with their accessories, and it's aided by a catchy song in Cantonese. I knew then that I was in for something special. The film is set in 1913 Beijing, during Yuan Shikai's presidency of the Republic of China. It depicts the adventures of three unlikely heroines: Tsao Wan (Brigitte Lin), a patriotic rebel who dresses as a man; Sheung Hung (Cherie Chung), a musician in search of a missing box of jewels; and Pat Neil (Sally Yeh), the daughter of a Peking Opera impresario. What the viewer should expect is that Peking Opera Blues is a slapstick comedy. The plot is simply there for the three women to get into comical and sometimes dangerous situations. However, the film also offers some fast and breathtaking fight scenes, along with several shootouts. These alone don't make an excellent film however. What sets Peking Opera Blues apart from other Hong Kong releases is its style and the three female leads. For once we get to see women generate humor and duke it out with the bad guys. This is the film's charm. Did I mention that the actresses are beautiful? I especially liked Sally Yeh in the role of Pat Neil. She's the most righteous of the three women. She also gets to perform in the opera during one important scene. American film director Quentin Tarantino once referred to Peking Opera Blues as "one of the craziest movies ever made" and "the best and a lot of fun." That statement pretty much sums it up. Those people who like Hong Kong cinema will like this film. Even those who don't usually watch foreign films may like it as well. Peking Opera Blues is a modern classic of Hong Kong cinema.

Best movie ever!

[jjamesedw3 · 10/10 · 17 September 2005]

When I first heard of this movie, I thought that it was going to be one of those boring movies. But, as I saw it, it was so cool! The script was great and the action was incredible! What I suggest is that you rent it but I dare you to just see this movie once. And once you see it, buy it! It will be the best cinema that you have ever seen. So, buy it. You have no time to waste! Just go to Netflix.com and buy this movie. Because if you do, you will be amazed to see this wonderful movie again and again. Plus if you buy it, buy the DVD version. Since it has trailers of the movies that Tsui Hark was responsible for. And special features too. THIS MOVIE ROCKS!

Hong Kong Slapstick

[bibiandersen · 9/10 · 19 August 2013]

I first saw this film about 10 years ago and loved it for its silly comedy, well choreographed action sequences, and tight plot. I watched this film again the other night and was pleasantly surprised that even though its from the 80s it still holds up. If you're in the mood for some slap stick and action set in an Opera House this one is for you. The costumes are fantastic. Although I am not a fan of the actual operatic arias of Chinese Opera and at times the high pitched tunes can get on my nerves, it is well worth a watch. It does a good job playing with the mistaken identity comedy shtick. It's great to see some women kicking some ass. If you're in the mood for an ace action comedy that was very popular in the 80s (Lethal Weapon,etc) in Hollywood and abroad, enjoy this one.

Thoroughly exciting.

[Billiam-4 · 10/10 · 28 August 2022]

A mission to steal a valuable document from a soldier's vault draws three women together in turn-of-the-century Peking.

This movie, that introduced the west to modern Asian cinema, is something of the Chinese version of a screwball comedy, however, it's moves on breathlessly faster, full of mind-boggling action and has a witty feminist aspect to with it's with three gorgeous female leads, Brigitte Lin, Cherie Chung and Sally Ye. Thoroughly exciting, an instant classic Although I had seen quite a lot of Asian movies by then (the 1980s), Peking Opera Blues opened up a whole new world of cinema to me.

Kung Fu Hustle meets John Woo...Except better!

[p_h_a_r_o_a_h_e · 9/10 · 9 July 2009]

This film is simply amazing. It is the most entertaining movie I have ever seen and it is well filmed. This movie didn't have the biggest budget, but it has the largest ambition.

I would recommend seeing Farewell My Concubine(great movie) first to better understand the setting of this movie, which takes place in 1920's China. Once you have seen Farewell My Concubine, this movie becomes much more accessible to the casual viewer.

Peking Opera Blues has a bit of everything...and then some. Tons of comedy, excellent action sequences, dramatic twists, well implemented music, fast pacing, etc. Peking Opera Blues has all the ingredients of a recipe for success, and I would say it is the ultimate light hearted flick.

NOTE: The once infamous subs are now fixed with YesAsia's version of the DVD. It has a really clear image too. Buy it now!

Worth the Time

[Jillers · 9/10 · 14 April 2007]

This movie is not for everyone. If you're a fan of Kung-Fu movies, with tons of action and light on plot, avoid this movie. If you don't like stylized Chinese movies, avoid this movie. If you don't really know that General Tsao isn't just a chicken dish (a delicious one at this) then avoid this movie.

For the rest of us, just sit back and watch a good movie.

Granted, the acting is very 1980's Hong Kong stylized acting. If you know a thing or two about Chinese theater (and, for that matter, Chinese Opera) you can easily get past this, since the history is that of traditional stylized movements.

The characters are pretty straightforward, in as far as you can get from the English subtitles, which are basic, and sometimes happen way too fast - which is why a pause button works wonders when trying to determine just who this guy is and why he's so happy.

There's the girl who dresses like a man, her male friend, the girl who wants to enter the man's world, and the girl who just likes money. And you can tell one thing from this all - they are all actually strong, intelligent characters. Strong, intelligent female characters.

The plot moves fast, and, if you pay attention, can really keep you on the edge of your seat. The funny moments are truly funny because they're supposed to be, and the sad moments are, indeed, sad.

So, pick it up sometime if you get the chance, and you are aware of all the caveats. It's really worth the time. It completely took me by surprise because I thought it was going to be more Chinese Opera, and less movie.