Zhao Lei
Also Known As: Lei Zhao, Chiu Lui, Chao Lai, Chao Loi, Wong Yuk-Man, Chao Lei
Biography: Zhao Lei (simplified Chinese: 赵雷; traditional Chinese: 趙雷) was a Chinese actor born in 1928 as Wang Yumin (王育民). He moved to Hong Kong in 1947, joined the Shaw Brothers Studio in 1953. He was one of the most popular male leads in the cinema of Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1950s and 60s. He frequently played the role of an Emperor and is often called the "Film Emperor". He died in Hong Kong on 24 June 1996.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
Adult: No
Birthday: January 01, 1928
Age: 97 years old
Gender: Male
Deathday: June 24, 1996
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Known For:
Passion
Overview: Film directed by Chia-hsiang Wu
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1967-03-31
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Wife of a Romantic Scholar
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1967-10-26
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The Stolen Love
Overview: Early Shaw Brothers drama
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1959-03-12
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Marriage Angle
Overview: Marriage Angle is a Hong Kong Mandarin-language feature film of the drama genre, written and directed by Wang Yin, produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, Liu Chi and Chow Sze-Ching were the cinematographers.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1954-01-27
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Capture of Seven Tigers
Overview: An investigative team that wants to foil the evil plans of a group of criminals.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1972-01-01
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The Valiant Ones
Overview: A righteous husband-and-wife swordfighting duo struggle to protect China from the machinations of Japanese pirates and corrupt officials.
Genres: Adventure Action
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1975-02-19
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The First Sword
Overview: During a battle with Wu Qiong, the king of poison, Xie Wuyang, the chief of the Golden Dragon Clan is poisoned. His junior, Tong Wanling risks her life to save him and becomes poisoned herself. At his wit's end, Wuyang seeks Wanling's grandparents for help. Meanwhile, Yan Zongqi plots to overthrow Wuyang as the chief of the Golden Dragon Clan and schemes with Wu Qiong to obtain the secret manual of the Clan.
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1967-12-28
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Jade Dragon
Overview: Old school weepy sword fighting epic with Melinda Chen Man Ling, Cathay's answer to Cheng Pei Pei.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1968-10-16
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The Third Life
Overview: Wu Dehua is a frustrated young man who has experienced abandonment and crime and starts having suicidal thoughts. However, with the help of the nurses who cared for him, he's understanding the meaning of helping others and dedicating himself to them.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1953-01-01
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Monkey King with 72 Magic
Overview: Shaw Brothers star Ting Hwa Chung plays the legendary and mythical Monkey King in this lavish and epic action classic.
Genres: Action
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1976-01-01
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The Pistol
Overview: Long unemployed and stone-broke, Shen Jiaguang is dealt a further blow when his wife Lu Xiaoyin has fallen seriously ill and their son Xiaoguang has to quit school.
Genres: Action
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1961-11-01
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Beyond the Grave
Overview: This is a Historical Drama that was written and directed by Doe Ching. It was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio.
Genres: History Drama Horror
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1954-11-26
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Girls in Transformation
Overview: Girls in Transformation is about an experiment conducted by assistant professor at the Shi Liangde University to demonstrate her "non-hereditary human theory," in transforming rural girls into modern women.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1954-01-01
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Shadow in Her Heart
Overview: Temptation (誘惑) is a 1954 Hong Kong drama film directed by Doe Ching. The film was produced by Runde Shaw for Shaw & Sons Co. Ltd. and is based on the screenplay by Doe Ching and the original story by Hsu Hsu.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1954-01-01
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Forever Goodbye
Overview: Forever Goodbye 自 君 別 後 (1955) aka Since You Went Away is a Hong Kong Mandarin-language drama film directed by Wang Yin, filmed in Australia and produced by Shaw Brothers Studio. It stars Sek Ying, Chao Lei, Yang Chi-Ching and Wu Chia-Hsiang. This is loosely based on John Luther Long's "Madame Butterfly".
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1955-12-31
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Beauty of Beauties
Overview: Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties was one of the most ambitious films made in the Taiwan film industry in the 1960s. After leaving The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong and moving to Taiwan, filmmaker Li Han-hsiang mounted this historical epic. Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands.
Genres: History Drama War
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1965-10-22
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The Kingdom and the Beauty
Overview: This is a musical about a young emperor who is lured via stories told to a place called Kiang-Nan by his royal tutor. The empress mother has the tutor go to Kiang-Nan to bring him back.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1959-06-29
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The Enchanting Shadow
Overview: A young scholar spends the night in a creepy temple that is said to be haunted. He doesn't believe in the rumors, but after running into a Taoist swordsman, he meets a beautiful lady ghost.
Genres: Drama Horror
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1960-08-18
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The Rivals
Overview: The Northern and Southern Champion swordsmen discover the Tartars have murdered their families and the only thing on their minds is revenge.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1970-05-14
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In The Beginning
Overview: Fantasy film from Taiwan, featuring the Chinese creation mythology of Pangu and Nüwa.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1979-01-01
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Lady in Distress
Overview: A Shaw Brothers production.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-03-28
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Beyond the Blue Horizon
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1956-09-07
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A Mellow Spring
Overview: A Shaw Brothers production
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-08-15
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Fruit of Marriage
Overview: A woman is fired from her job because she's pregnant. The husband, who's a teacher, needs to get another part-time job as a waiter, to cover the expenses which causes problems at his school. He starts to resent children but there's hope as the husband is able to get another job and start to appreciate his family...
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1956-02-11
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A Lonely Heart
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1956-04-13
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Meet Me After Spring
Overview: This is a drama about parents disapproving a young couple's relationship and the unfortunate consequences that it has.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1956-05-04
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Springtime in Paradise
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-04-25
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Beauty in the Maelstrom
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production about a couple who loves each other but end up marrying different people because of parental pressures.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1956-10-10
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Miss Evening Sweet
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production.
Genres: Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-06-19
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He Has Taken Him for Another
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-09-19
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The Circus
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production
Genres: Action Comedy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1958-02-28
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A Kiss for Me
Overview: A Shaw and Sons production
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1958-04-24
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A Rescue from Hades
Overview: Three generations of the Luo family fasted and chanted Buddha's name. However, Mr. Luo died young. Luo's mother complained and began to kill animals and eat meat. When Luo Bu grew up, her family property was wiped out by her uncle. Oppose and remarry someone else. After Luo's mother died, she went to hell. Luo Bu received God's instructions and followed Pratyekabuddha to practice, and his Dharma name was Mulian. However, because he could not bear the suffering of his mother in hell, he broke into the underworld to rescue his mother. After all the hardships, he finally felt the Buddha's will. Let Mother Luo be reincarnated.
Genres: Fantasy Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1982-07-29
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East Flows the River
Overview: A film drama by the Shaw Brothers studio.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1960-07-07
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Stepmother
Overview: A Shaw Brothers drama starring Diana Chang Chung-Wen and Margaret Tu Chuan.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1963-09-06
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An Appointment After Dark
Overview: Wan Jialiang, a factory worker, and Lu Xiuzhen fall in love and live together. Hou Liang is supported by Dong Yaqin, his cousin, and their lives improve. Desperate to get rid of Jane, who is pregnant, Jialiang plans to make her fall into the sea and die.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1958-07-04
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The Lady of Mystery
Overview: Spies, Military Documents and Traitors.
Genres: Thriller
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1957-12-22
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The Swallow
Overview: The hunt for The Swallow Thief.
Genres: Action
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1961-04-25
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The Mid-Nightmare
Overview: Essentially an adaptation of Gaston Leroux's classic The Phantom of the Opera, Mid-Nightmare is set in a Huangmei diao teahouse theatre, which an embittered and horribly disfigured ex-performer ‘haunts', looking to extract revenge on his enemies and falling in love with a talented and beautiful, but ultimately unattainable, ingénue.
Genres: Drama History Horror
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1962-12-20
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Modern ‘Red Chamber Dream’
Overview: Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the big four of classic Chinese novels, has been adapted for film and television dozens of times over the past decades. Yet this sui generis Great Wall production daringly transposes the setting to modern-day 1950s. The contemporised story revolves nonetheless around the love triangle between Jia Baoyu and his two cousins. Both girls love him but his heart belongs to only one. The ending, however, is remarkably changed to separation of the lovers as a result of war—the war that was surely still haunting the minds of the filmmakers at the time when the film was made. Not only did Great Wall pour money into building extravagant sets just so to recreate down to the smallest detail the grandeur of the legendary Jia mansion, but the film also boasted of its lavish costume designs for the diverse female cast. (From Hong Kong Film Archive)
Genres: Romance War Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1952-01-26
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Passion
Overview: A Cathay Studio production
Genres: History Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1965-02-12
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雙雄奪美
Overview:
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date:
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Empress Wu
Overview: The renowned Li Li Hua plays Wu Ze Tian, the most famous woman in China's four thousand year history.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1963-06-23
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Madam White Snake
Overview: This Classic Seductive tale of two snakes who assume human forms will send chills of pleasure down viewers' backs. The Lovely Linda Lin Dai (Les Belles, The Kingdom And The Beauty) and margaret Tu Chuan (The Dream of The Red Chamber) play the two sister serpents, Pak Su-cheng and Ching Ching. Su-cheng meets Hsu Hsien (Chao Lei) one day and recognizes him as her savior in another life 1,000 years ago. She marries him to reward him but the snake-human union brings about problems beyond imagination.
Genres: Fantasy Romance Drama Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1962-10-02
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The Story of Three Loves: Part 2
Overview: Continuing the story of Part I, the plots follows the tragic fate of teahouse songstress Shen, who is forced to become the mistress of the evil warlord Liu. When the latter discovers that she has had a secret rendezvous with her lover Fan, he tortures her to insanity. A fine melodrama, indeed the best a studio can offer in its time, The Story of Three Loves is also the last film of screen diva Grace Chang who plays two roles, the tender and affectionate Shen, and the arrogant and spoiled He...
Genres: History Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1964-02-26
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Travels with a Sword
Overview: Travels with a Sword is a Hong Kong Martial Arts movie starring Sammo Hung
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1968-04-09
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Immortal Warriors
Overview: Immortal Warriors is a Taiwanese Martial Arts movie.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1978-09-25
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Diau Charn
Overview: Based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Diau Charn is a sublime retelling of a familiar tale with iconic actress Linda Lin Dai (Lam Doi) in the titular role of Diau Charn, one of the four storied beauties of ancient China.
Genres: Drama Romance Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1958-05-28
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The Imperious Princess
Overview: Taiwanese huangmei opera starring Ivy Ling Po.
Genres: Romance Drama Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1980-07-01
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Dream of the Red Chamber
Overview: Taiwanese huangmei opera film.
Genres: Drama Romance Music History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1978-05-18
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Red Plum Pavilion
Overview: Li is a beautiful young woman who is engaged to a handsome scholar, Pei Shunqing. However, a rich evil man, Jia Sidao, is attracted by Li's beauty and wants to take Li as his concubine. Pei and Li then come to discuss the matter and decide to flee, but they are kidnapped by Jia's men before they can escape. Jia threatens to kill Pei, and Li finally yields but requests to see Pei for the last time. During their short conversation Li tries to persuade Pei to leave, but he insists that he will not leave without her. Li tells him that she has promised to be Jia’s concubine. Pei has to depart, angry and disappointed. Later, Li tries to kill Jia with his sword before their wedding but she is stabbed to death instead. Li's ghost then returns to avenge Jia and his men by burning them until only ashes remain.
Genres: Music Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1968-10-10
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The Magic Fan
Overview: This was an adaptation of a ghost story, “A Xiu”. Liu Zigu is on his way to visit his uncle and is attracted by a beautiful girl, A Xiu. Liu meets A Xiu again in a paper fan shop owned by A Xiu's father. Liu goes to the shop every day to buy a fan and see A Xiu. One day, Liu follows his uncle to a matchmaker, who arranges for A Xiu to become his bride. The following day, Liu and A Xiu visit a temple where they meet a ghost who looks very similar to A Xiu. On the wedding day, the ghost disguises itself as A Xiu to spoil her marriage with Liu. Finally, the ghost is in the custody of a magic fan, and Liu and Xiu complete their wedding.
Genres: Fantasy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1967-10-03
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A Beggar's Daughter
Overview: This is an adaptation of the folk story, “Jin Yu Nu beats her heartless groom with a cane”. Jin Yu Nu, a beggar’s daughter, is a beautiful and kind girl. On a snowy day she saves the life of a poor scholar, Mo Ji. When Mo recovers, he marries Jin with love and gratitude. Mo wins the third place in the imperial examinations, but now he is looked down upon because his wife is a beggar's daughter. Extremely embarrassed and ashamed, Mo wants to divorce but has no excuse. Jin then jumps into the river and Mo has deep regrets but it is too late. Later, Mo’s senior Ambassador Lin appreciates his talents and wants to marry him his daughter. On the wedding night, the bride orders Mo to kneel in her room and beats him hard with a cane. Not until then does Mo know his bride is actually Jin, who has been saved by Lin. At the end, Lin knows Jin still loves Mo and helps the couple reunite.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1965-01-29
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Lady with the Lute
Overview: Zhao’s husband goes to the capital to take the imperial examination but doesn’t come back. Due to famine, Zhao has to leave her hometown and find her husband, playing her lute for a living.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1963-10-10
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Lady in the Moon
Overview: Chang E is a fairy in the moon. One day she sneaks to the earth where she meets a talented archer, Hou Yi, and falls in love with him. At that time, there are nine suns in the sky and they cause serious droughts on earth. Chang then pleads with the Heavenly Empress for some magic arrows so that Hou can shoot down the spare suns. After that Hou becomes a king with overwhelming support from the people. Later, Hou becomes increasingly cruel and corrupt after ascending to the throne. He wages wars on neighbouring kingdoms and drives his people to extreme misery and hardships. Chang has tried to stop him but fails. At the end, she takes Hou’s magic arrows and returns to the moon.
Genres: Fantasy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1966-01-20
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Beyond the Great Wall
Overview: Beyond the Great Wall is a true story based on how Wang Chao-chun sacrificed her love and life for the good of the Chinese people during war time fears between China and the Huns.
Genres: Drama Music Romance History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1964-11-21
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The Magic Lamp
Overview: Adapted from one of China's most well-known fairy tales, the Goddess of Mount Hua falls in love with a young mortal scholar Liu Yanchang and gives birth to a baby son, Chenxiang. When Chenxiang grows up, he seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding his mother whom he has never met.
Genres: Drama Music Fantasy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1964-01-23
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The Story of Sue San
Overview: This gripping story centers on the romance between Wang Chin Lung and Sue San. Although they may be perfectly matched when it comes to their love for one other, the two come from remarkably different social ranks. While Chin Lung is the son of a respected government official, Su San is a prostitute, albeit a famous one.
Genres: Drama Music Romance
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1964-09-30
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The Dream of the Red Chamber
Overview: The Ching Dynasty novel The Dream of The Red Chamber is not only the most widely read, but also the most filmed book in Chinese history. The sprawling love story has proven a challenge to many filmmakers, but this version is acclaimed as the most successful. A sumptuous feature which took three years of planning and another for production, it was a hugely popular and critical hit which still stands out as a classic of both 18th century literature and 1960s moviemaking.
Genres: Drama History Romance Music
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1962-08-02
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Cheat to Cheat
Overview: Hong Kong comedy directed by Li Han-Hsiang.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1973-03-01
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The Magnificent Concubine
Overview: Perhaps the most notorious concubine in Chinese history, Yang Guifei set a pudgy standard of beauty in her days of glory during the Tang dynasty. The Emperor Minghuang was so besotted with the woman that when An Lushan stages his rebellion against the empire, the ruler takes Yang Guifei along with his imperial entourage in an escape to the mountainous area of modern-day Sichuan, and sanctuary of sorts. But the concubine had roused the jealousy of the court and unfortunately for her and to the great sorrow of the king, her brother and others among the king's retainers demanded she be strangled to death while they were still in the mountains. This is the story told in this interesting Taiwanese adaptation by director Li Han-hsiang (Li Hanxiang).
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1962-05-31
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Romance of the Forbidden City
Overview: Hong Kong drama directed by Wong Tin-Lam.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1964-10-08
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Just Heroes
Overview: A respected and well liked gang-boss is betrayed and killed. One of his three adopted sons are to take his place. One of them is the traitor.
Genres: Action Crime
Original Language: cn
Release Date: 1989-09-14
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The Delivery
Overview: HK action movie about drug trafficking.
Genres: Action
Original Language: cn
Release Date: 1975-10-02
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Fist of Unicorn
Overview: Unicorn travels to a village troubled by gangsters in search of revenge for the murder of his parents years before. The task is made more complicated when he befriends a middle-aged woman and her son who begin to admire and depend on him.
Genres: Action
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1973-03-01
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Kiss Me Again
Overview: A Shaw Brothers production
Genres: Drama
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1960-10-21
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