A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii -1987-1990-1991-... |link| ❲LIMITED ✧❳
The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy sits at a crossroads of cinematic history. It captured the dying breath of old-school Hong Kong practical effects (miniatures, optical compositing, hand-painted backdrops) just before CGI took over.
The iconic "underwater kiss" scene where Xiaoqian hides Ning from her master in a bath.
While the plot continues to focus on the love between characters portrayed by Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong, the story takes a more political tone, addressing the chaos of the Ming Dynasty. The world expanded, introducing more powerful demons, eccentric martial artists, and political intrigue, often featuring incredible action sequences choreographed by Ching Siu-tung. A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...
The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy is far more than a successful series of monster movies; it is a foundational pillar of modern Chinese fantasy cinema. The partnership between the producer Tsui Hark and director Ching Siu-tung created a unique visual language, from the gauzy, fog-drenched atmosphere of the haunted Orchid Temple to the balletic, wire-fu action that defined the genre's look for a decade to come. The films’ influence can be felt in countless later works, from television series to blockbusters like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon .
The trilogy is a testament to the creativity and imagination of Hong Kong filmmakers in the 1980s and 1990s. These beloved films have stood the test of time, and their influence can still be seen in contemporary cinema. If you're a fan of fantasy, romance, or comedy, or simply looking to explore the rich world of Cantonese cinema, A Chinese Ghost Story , A Chinese Ghost Story II , and A Chinese Ghost Story III are essential viewing. The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy sits at
Part I: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) – The Masterpiece of Ethereal Romance
The story follows , a hopelessly naive, bumbling, but fundamentally kind-hearted traveling tax collector. Lacking funds to pay for lodging, he shelters in the decaying, abandoned Orchid Temple. There, he meets the hauntingly beautiful Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong) . While the plot continues to focus on the
Set 100 years later, a new monk (Tony Leung Chiu-wai, very young and monk-ish) battles the same tree demon and falls for a different ghost (Joey Wong again—now playing a seductive spirit). The tone is darker, more erotic, and more tragic. Wang Zu-xian’s double role cleverly echoes the first film but ends in devastation. Tony Leung and Joey Wong are magnetic.
A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990): Political Allegory and Escalated Action
The 1987 film is celebrated for its perfect balance of comedy, horror, and romance, featuring iconic, melancholic music and groundbreaking, inventive visual effects.
The franchise cemented Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong as pan-Asian superstars, particularly in South Korea and Japan, where the films attained an intense cult-like devotion that persists to this day.