A Chinese Ghost Story; or, Love Conquers Hell
I retired, because I hate dealing with mean people. So I hid
in this temple. I pretended to be a ghost in front of a man and a human in
front of a ghost, and now I don't know if I'm a man or a ghost. I'm not a
swordsman. Swordsman, ridiculous! I don't want to be a man, yet Nip Siu-sin
wishes to reincarnate.
It was inevitable, but the time has finally come for me to
review one of the all-time best Hong Kong fantasy classics A Chinese Ghost
Story from 1987, brought to film by director Ching Siu-Ting and producer Tsui
Hark, the supernatural tale about the bond between a mortal man and a demon’s
servant.
Release Info
Directed by: Ching Siu-Ting Starring: Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong, Wu Ma
Language: Cantonese Original Title: 倩女幽魂 Runtime: 95 min
Plot
Ning Choi-san (played by Leslie Cheung) is a debt collector
who travels through the Chinese plains and visits local towns. Unfortunately,
he is also plagued by misfortune as his account book is destroyed, so he has no
money to pay for shelter. As a result, he spends a night in a haunted temple
outside of the town. There, he encounters an enchantingly beautiful woman
called Nip Siu-sin (Joey Wong). Little does he know that Siu-sin is a ghost who
lures travellers with her body so that the Tree Demoness (Lau Siu-ming), a
1000-year-old monster, can eat men inside out. Nevertheless, Ning Choi-san
falls for the ghost and protects her from dangers, in turn Siu-sin protects
him from other flesh-eating ghosts. With the help of a Taoist monk, Yin Chik-ha
(Wu Ma), Choi-san descends into the deepest levels of hell to save Siu-sin from
the grasp of the Tree Demoness.
The Ethereal Spirit of a Beauty
When I was at the beginning of my adventure with the Hong Kong
cinema, this one title, A Chinese Ghost Story, kept popping up in every movie
recommendations and various message boards. Never being a huge fan of the
fantasy/ghost genre, I was not really keen on checking it out initially, but
the more I read about the film, the more I wanted the discover the phenomenon
behind it.
A Chinese Ghost Story was actually inspired by the Shaw
Brothers drama film The Enchanting Shadow from 1966 (both movies share the same
Chinese title), but Ching Siu-Ting and Tsui Hark reinvented the story to such
an extent that it bears little resemblance to its original. The two creators
had very different visions about the film. Namely, Siu-ting wanted it to be more
an action/horror story, whereas Hark opted for a romance/love story. The final
result is somewhat the middle ground between these visions.
The movie is eerie, yet not scary, while being dynamic and
moving at the same time. This was made possible thanks to the hectic work of
stuntmen, f/x experts, and leading actors over the course of over 8 months! (at
least claimed by Wu Ma). Even Tsui Hark was frequently present on the set
and admitted to directing many scenes. Well, what we get from this daredevil
endeavour of HK filmmaking is a beautiful and unforgettable adaptation with spellbinding
cinematography and art direction.
With regard to performances, Leslie Cheung is at his best
here. Instead of being a predictable, comical/flamboyant type, Leslie creates a
relatable everyman caught in the middle of a spiritual war he cannot
comprehend. It comes as no surprise that the 2011 theatrical re-release of the
film as well as the remake were dedicated to his memory. On the other hand,
Joey Wong is outstanding as the ghostly spectre who desires to free herself
from the firm grasp of the Tree Demoness. Interestingly, Joey would go on to
repeat this role not only in the sequels, but also in many remakes and
retellings of this classic film. Naturally, Wu Ma must also be praised for his
memorable performance of a ghost-fighting Taoist monk. Priests from The
Exorcist (1973) should watch and learn how a pro obliterates demons in a true
Dragonball-like style.
One more thing which I should comment on is the music score
by James Wong. It wonderfully enriches the tone of the movie as the instrumentals
heavily rely on traditional Chinese music. In addition, the end credits song
was sung by Leslie Cheung himself. In fact, the tune is so associated with the
series that it was kept intact at the end of the 2011 remake.
Recommendations
I safely recommend this film to anyone who is interested in
discovering the hallmarks of Hong Kong cinema. The movie is entertaining and
fast-paced in terms of action set pieces, but also poetic in its inventive subtlety.
What is more, there is absolutely no CGI but only practical effects. I also
suggest that you try to grab a remastered DVD or Blu-ray version in order to
fully enjoy the film and the wonders it provides. All things considered, A
Chinese Ghost Story is a cinematic tale unlike any other.
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