Two boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.Two boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.Two boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 24 wins & 12 nominations total
Zhenxiang Fei
- Shitou as a Child
- (as Yang Fei)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJackie Chan was originally offered the role of Duan Xiaolou due to his own childhood experience of training in the Peking Opera. But he turned it down, fearing that the film, which deals with themes of homosexuality, might tarnish his image.
- GoofsWhen Douzi is first examined by the owner of the opera troupe, his extra finger is on his right hand below the thumb. When he withdraws the hand from the opera troupe owner, he pulls back his left arm. When his mother cuts the extra finger off a few moments later, it is now on his left hand, next to his pinkie.
- Quotes
Master Yuan: A smile ushers in the spring.
Master Yuan: A tear does darken all the world.
Master Yuan: How truly does this befit you. To you... only you are possessed of such charm.
- Alternate versionsThe version presented in the U.S. is different from the original, longer cut, that was distributed internationally. The following differences exist in the U.S. version:
- The scene where Duan and Juxian are drinking after their wedding was originally directly after the wedding scene, rather than after the bloodletting at the Yuan-Cheng dinner.
Featured review
Beautiful, captivating movie...
'Farewell My Concubine' is, in a word, excellent.
Though often portrayed as haunting and disturbing, it's also quite touching at times... attributed largely to the outstanding emotional performances by the film's lead cast. Hands down, Chen Kaige has directed one of the most beautiful films involving the fall of the great Imperial China... and subsequently... the friendship of two of China's greatest leading opera performers.
Leslie Cheung's role as Cheng Dieyi, the tormented 'concubine' of the story, is absolutely astounding, and is probably one of his greatest performances to date. Fengyi Zhang plays well opposite Cheung, and Gong Li is fantastic as always. The production sets are superb, as are the costumes and cinematography.
Definitely a must see for all fans of foreign cinema, and certainly worthwhile for all newcomers.
10 out of 10
Though often portrayed as haunting and disturbing, it's also quite touching at times... attributed largely to the outstanding emotional performances by the film's lead cast. Hands down, Chen Kaige has directed one of the most beautiful films involving the fall of the great Imperial China... and subsequently... the friendship of two of China's greatest leading opera performers.
Leslie Cheung's role as Cheng Dieyi, the tormented 'concubine' of the story, is absolutely astounding, and is probably one of his greatest performances to date. Fengyi Zhang plays well opposite Cheung, and Gong Li is fantastic as always. The production sets are superb, as are the costumes and cinematography.
Definitely a must see for all fans of foreign cinema, and certainly worthwhile for all newcomers.
10 out of 10
helpful•229
- clowns_n_cookies
- Jan 11, 2004
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,549,086
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $69,408
- Oct 17, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $7,447,084
- Runtime2 hours 51 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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