Product Description

When the irresponsible Xu Fugui loses his family's fortune during a gambling spree he causes his loved ones incredible hardship. Fugui's father dies from a heart attack upon hearing the news and his pregnant wife abandons him. Unable to put bread on the table even for himself Fugui works as a street vender and when his wife notices his uncustomary humility she returns. Within a year Fugui desires to open a shop but is unable to raise the necessary funds. Instead of money the local loan shark gives him his old shadow puppets. Soon Fugui masters the art of puppetry which increases his paltry income -- but also serves as propaganda for the imminent Communist Revolution.System Requirements:Running Time: 125 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 027616085269 Manufacturer No: M108526

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32744 in DVD
• Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
• Released on: 2007-07-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: Chinese
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 125 minutes

Customer Reviews

To Live, Huozhe - The Chinese Gone With The Wind
I saw this film at the Curzon Cinema in London's West End in 1994. A soon as the first frame appeared I knew I was watching a Classic.

This Film has to be one of the all time greats. One reviewer called it "The Chinese Gone With The Wind" and I agree to a point.

The central performances in this film are masterful. Li Gong and You Ge are incredible. They age before your eyes with hardly any make-up. It is all relayed in performance. Watch the amazing body movement of Li Gong in the last reel as she convinces us she is an aged woman. Remarkable!!!

The emotions in this film are strong and it is hard now to be moved by them. I particularly love the scene when they both unravel the soaking wet letter. This scene is played with such truthfulness that at points you feel you are watching a slice of real life and not a big budget Chinese movie.

Yimou Zhang is one of the best Directors alive today if not the best. He consistently produces brilliant films his latest being the exception.

Please read my Review of Curse of the Golden Flower

A masterpiece
An outstanding masterpiece that arcs across several decades of Chinese history in the 20th century. A sweeping tale of the turbulent times, splendidly enacted by an outstanding cast and shepherded by a brilliant director. It is the "Gone with the Wind" of China.

On the edge of my seat!
Gong Li seems to be forwever beatiful, and her acting is superb in this production. In my opinion, she is "Catherine Deneuve" of the east.