The Empress Yang Kwei-fei
Aka "Princess Yang Kwei-fei". Based on an ancient historical tale, this is a sumptuous costume drama set in 8th century China of the T'ang Dynasty, brought alive by Kenji Mizoguchi in blazing colour - the first of only two films the master made outside his usual black and white. Immortalised as one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, Yang Kwei-fei was said to have a face that put all flowers to shame. When she is presented to the grieving widower, Emperor Hsuan-tsung, her beauty distracts him from his stated aim of devoting his solitary life to music. The pair fall in love and Yang Kwei-fei is set to become the new imperial concubine; however, dark forces within the court sense their moment has come. The new Empress soon realises she is being used as a pawn in their political game, but that her actions could dictate the future of the house of T'ang.
Year: 1955
Genre: Classic Drama, Japanese Cinema, Classic Cinema
Country: Japan
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Starring: Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori
Duration: 91 Minutes
Rating: PG - Contains low level violence.
Subtitles: Yes
Location in store: Foreign (Japan)
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