A Chinese Ghost Story
Seen it?1987 | 95 min | Fantasy, Action
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Solid across the board without standing out anywhere. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for fantasy fans and action fans. If you loved Beetlejuice, start here.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Cantonese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
A naïve young tax collector for the imperial government winds up spending the night in a haunted temple. There he falls in love with a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, is dead. With the aid of a powerful Daoist Swordsman, he must defeat undead hordes, overcome a sinister Tree Demoness, and descend to the pits of hell, to fight for the spirit he loves.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
70% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
13 wins and 9 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$4 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 77K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Monday Morning MaybeAnother supernatural fantasy film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
The Golden Child
Weeknight WatchAnother supernatural action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Beetlejuice
Saturday SpecialAnother supernatural fantasy film, and a Saturday Special.
Legend Monday Morning MaybeAnother supernatural fantasy film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Damsel Weeknight WatchAnother fantasy film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
- Leslie Cheung Kwok-wingLing Choi-san
- Joey WongLip Siu Sin
- Wu MaSwordsman Yin Chek-ha
- Lau Siu-mingTree Demon
- David Lam WaiSwordsman Hsia Hou
- Fanny Sit Chi-LunSiu Ching
- David WuSecretary Chiu
- Wong JingJudge
- Huang HaBoss at Tavern
- Sze Mei-YeeSells Paintings