Peking Opera Blues 4K 1986

Even if you're not a fan of kung fu, this is probably the only Hong Kong action movie worth watching. If only to put this topic to rest once and for all.

Tsui Hark, widely known as a ‘multi-instrumentalist’, served as director and producer on this film. Prior to that, he directed the cult classic Warriors of Zu (1983) and made his debut with the thriller Killer Butterflies. But it was Peking Opera Blues that allowed him to combine theatrical traditions with dynamic cinematic spectacle.

The title of the film will intrigue even those viewers who have only a vague idea of what “Peking Opera” is. In China, there is something like a stunt theater with songs and dances, bright costumes, and specific vocals. Peking Opera has nothing in common with La Scala.

But what does blues have to do with it?

Blues, my friends, is not just music—it is sadness and longing.

1920, Beijing. Military and civil officials are fighting each other for power over the capital, looters, hungry soldiers, tax inspectors, and depressed townspeople. The three main characters are: (Brigitte Lin), the general's daughter, a rich heiress with a “European” education; the daughter of the troupe's director (Sally Yeh), a kind of “Cinderella” in this theater; and a girl from nowhere (Cherie Chung), who simply does not want to be poor, so she earns a living by playing a musical instrument. Each has her own dreams and aspirations. But the main question of the film is: what are you willing to do to achieve your goal?

Actors. Of the three, Brigitte Lin, who later left the film industry, has perhaps had the most successful career. Cherie Chung did the same, while Sally Yeh also sings (including the soundtrack, which can be heard in the trailer). But in this film, they all gave wonderful performances.

The handsome revolutionary and the bespectacled soldier who joins him also look good, but they are more of a reason to talk about love. The main characters, loving fathers, and other characters are played grotesquely, yet some of them make you want to punch them in the face, while others make you want to cry (well, almost). The meeting place is set at the theater with that very “Beijing opera.” The whole plot revolves around a document that must be stolen to expose someone's misdeeds, but there is no revolutionary pathos in the film.
Of course, there are fights here. Spectacular mass brawls. No one seems to fly, but all the characters, as usual, jump around on ceilings and roofs under a hail of bullets without any problems.

Friendship, youth, mutual assistance, ideals - these are the themes that are used to make either sentimental comedies (or even dramas) or ‘The Invisible Avengers’.

After watching it, I wanted to sing the blues about how “my baby rode off on a horse to make a revolution.” The viewer, of course, knows how it all ended in China, but the characters sincerely hope for the best.