The Bitter Tea of General Yen
Seen it?1933 | 88 min | Drama, Romance, War
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. 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 romantics and history buffs. If you loved Shanghai Express or The African Queen, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Intense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1933: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Shanghai, China, the 1920s. In the midst of a bloody civil war, General Yen, a ruthless warlord, rescues Megan Davis —who was about to marry a missionary— from certain death amid the chaos.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 26K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Frank Capra
- Barbara StanwyckMegan
- Nils AstherGeneral Yen
- Toshia MoriMah-Li
- Walter ConnollyJones
- Gavin GordonBob
- Lucien LittlefieldMr. Jackson
- Richard LooCaptain Li
- Helen Jerome EddyMiss Reed
- Emmett CorriganBishop Harkness