The Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures

Spring in a Small Town

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:33:12 GMT

小城之春 (1948, China) Directed by Fei Mu Starring: Wei Wei, Lee Wai, Shi Yu Drama A relationship drama set in a small family household in postwar China. Zhou Yuwen is a woman trapped in a loveless marriage with a chronically ill husband. The return of a former sweetheart rekindles old passions, and Yuwen is torn between love and loyalty to her husband. You can watch or download this film free and legally at: http://www.archive.org/details/spring_in_a_small_town (Mandarin, no subtitles - but there are instructions where you can get the subtitles)

A Better Tomorrow

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:32:53 GMT

英雄本色 (1986, Hong Kong) Directed by John Woo Starring: Ti Lung, Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung Action thriller Watch the trailer at Listal! The film that established Chow Yun-Fat and John Woo as action stars, A Better Tomorrow is a blend of high octane action and melodrama. Ho is a high ranking gangster, who wants to quit the Triad, since his younger brother is about to become a cop, and knows nothing of his criminal activities. During one last job delivering a money transaction, Ho is doublecrossed and ambushed by the cops. After released from prison, Ho wows to go straight, but is torn in his loyalties between his cop brother, and his gangster friend Mark who wants to overthrow the Triad bosses who betrayed them.

Days of Being Wild

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:32:39 GMT

阿飞正传 (1991, Hong Kong) Directed by Wong Kar-Wai Starring: Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau Drama Watch the trailer at Listal! A lushly photographed drama, set in Hong Kong and the Philippines of the 60s. The film follows a group of restless young people and their intertwined stories of romance, heartbreak and search for identity. Most stories revolve around Yuddy, a reckless playboy, who casually seduces and discards women with little regard of the damage he leaves behind. Disconnected and self-destructive, Yuddy is obsessed with finding his real biological mother who abandoned him as a baby.

Yellow Earth

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:32:18 GMT

黄土地 (1984, China) Directed by Chen Kaige Starring: Wang Xueqi, Xue Bai, Tan Tuo Drama A Communist soldier is sent to the countryside to collect folk songs that could be used to aid the revolution. In a village ruled by ancient feudal traditions, he stays as guest with a farmer and his family, and tells them about the changing times and modernization of China. The soldier's words have a big impact on the farmer's young daughter, who wishes to leave home and join the revolution, rather than face an arranged marriage.

City of Sadness

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:32:05 GMT

悲情城市 (1989, Taiwan) Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Jack Kao, Li Tian-Lu, Chan Chung-Yung Drama Watch the trailer at Listal! A historical epic set in Taiwan of the late 1940s. Through the experiences of one family, the film chronicles the end of Japanese rule, and the beginning of mainland Kuomintang rule - A violent period, during which thousands of Taiwanese people were killed or imprisoned for opposing the Kuomintang.

Long Arm of the Law

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:31:43 GMT

省港旗兵 (1984, Hong Kong) Directed by Johnny Mak Starring: Lam Wai, Wong Kin, Chan Ging, Kong Lung Action thriller A gritty and realistic crime film, and a forerunner to the "heroic bloodshed" films of directors like John Woo and Ringo Lam. A group of ex-soldiers from Mainland China arrive illegally into Hong Kong with the purpose of robbing a jewelry store. Nothing goes as planned though, and the gang must shoot their way out of a tightening police net.

Dragon Inn (Dragon Gate Inn)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:31:30 GMT

龙门客栈 (1966, Taiwan) Directed by King Hu Starrring: Polly Shang Kwan, Shih Jun, Sit Hon, Pai Ying, Miu Tin Martial arts adventure A hugely influential wuxia (swordplay) classic, set during the Ming dynasty. A power-hungry eunuch frames one of his opponents in the imperial court for treason, and has him executed, his family either killed or exiled. Fearing revenge, the eunuch sends a group of spies to kill the remaining family members, the two youngest children. An ambush is set in a distant desert inn, which becomes a set for fighting and intrigue, as mysterious travelers with supreme martial arts skills start arriving at the inn to defend the children.

Boat People

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:31:05 GMT

投奔怒海 (1982, Hong Kong) Directed by Ann Hui Starring: George Lam, Season Ma, Andy Lau Drama Depicts the grim realities of life in postwar Vietnam. After witnessing poverty, corruption and violence, a Japanese photo-journalist becomes committed in helping refugees fleeing from the country.

A Touch of Zen

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:30:54 GMT

侠女 (1969, Taiwan) Directed by King Hu Starring: Martial arts adventure

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:30:29 GMT

卧虎藏龙 (2000, Taiwan/Hong Kong) Directed by Ang Lee Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi Martial arts adventure Watch the trailer at Listal!

Street Angel

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:30:14 GMT

馬路天使 (1937, China) Directed by Yuan Muzhi Starring: Drama Watch a clip at Listal! You can watch or download this film free and legally at: http://www.archive.org/details/street_angel (Mandarin, no subtitles - but there are instructions where you can find subs or a translated script)

A Brighter Summer Day

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:29:52 GMT

牯岭街少年杀人事件 (1991, Taiwan) Directed by Edward Yang Starring: Drama

The Private Eyes

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:29:38 GMT

半斤八兩 (1976, Hong Kong) Directed by Michael Hui Starring: Comedy Watch the trailer at Listal!

The Mission

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:29:20 GMT

枪火 (1999, Hong Kong) Directed by Johnny To Starring: Action thriller Watch the trailer at Listal!

The One-Armed Swordsman

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:29:08 GMT

断臂神龙剑 (1967, Hong Kong) Directed by Chang Cheh Starring: Martial arts Watch the trailer at Listal!

The Chinese Connection (Fist of Fury)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:28:48 GMT

精武门 (1972, Hong Kong) Directed by Lo Wei Starring: Bruce Lee Martial arts Watch the trailer at Listal!

In the Heat of the Sun

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:28:35 GMT

阳光灿烂的日子 (1994, China) Directed by Jiang Wen Starring: Drama Watch the trailer at Listal!

In the Face of Demolition

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:28:13 GMT

危楼春晓 (1953, Hong Kong) Directed by Li Tie Starring: Drama

A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:27:56 GMT

西游记第１０１回之月光宝盒 / 西游记大结局之仙履奇缘 (1994, Hong Kong) Directed by Jeffrey Lau Starring: Stephen Chow Fantasy adventure, comedy Watch the trailer at Listal! This entry includes parts 1 & 2 as it's essentially one big movie cut in half.

The Arch

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:27:41 GMT

董夫人 (1970, Hong Kong) Directed by Tang Shu-Shuen Starring: Drama

Rouge

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:27:22 GMT

胭脂扣 (1987, Hong Kong) Directed by Stanley Kwan Starring: Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung Romance, drama

Chungking Express

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:27:02 GMT

重庆森林 (1994, Hong Kong) Directed by Wong Kar-Wai Starring: Brigitte Lin, Faye Wong, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro Romance, drama Watch the trailer at Listal!

Homecoming

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:26:51 GMT

似水流年 (1984, Hong Kong) Directed by Yim Ho Starring: Drama

A Time to Live and a Time to Die

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:26:26 GMT

童年往事 (1985, Taiwan) Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien Starring: Drama

Red Sorghum

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:26:14 GMT

红高粱 (1987, China) Directed by Zhang Yimou Starring: Gong Li, Jiang Wen Drama

Father and Son

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:25:51 GMT

父子情 (1981, Hong Kong) Directed by Allen Fong Starring: Drama

The Spring River Flows East

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:25:38 GMT

一江春水向东流 (1947, China) Directed by Cai Chusheng Starring: Drama You can watch or download this film free and legally at Archive.org (Mandarin, no subtitles): part 1 part 2

Comrades: Almost a Love Story

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:25:26 GMT

甜蜜蜜 (1996, Hong Kong) Directed by Peter Chan Starring: Maggie Cheung, Leon Lai Romance, drama

The Goddess

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:25:06 GMT

神女 (1934, China) Directed by Wu Yonggang Starring: Ruan Ling-Yu Drama, silent film Watch a clip at Listal!

The Big Road (The Highway)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:24:51 GMT

大路 (1934, China) Directed by Sun Yu Starring: Drama, silent film You can watch or download this film free and legally at: http://www.archive.org/details/the_big_road (Intertitles in Chinese, no English subtitles)

The Secret

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:24:39 GMT

疯劫 (1979, Hong Kong) Directed by Ann Hui Starring: Thriller

Infernal Affairs

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:24:01 GMT

无间道 (2002, Hong Kong) Directed by Andrew Lau & Alan Mak Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Andy Lau Thriller Watch the trailer at Listal!

Drunken Master

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:23:44 GMT

醉拳 (1978, Hong Kong) Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping Starring: Jackie Chan Martial arts Watch the trailer at Listal!

The Butterfly Murders

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:23:15 GMT

蝶变 (1979, Hong Kong) Directed by Tsui Hark Starring: Fantasy adventure Watch the trailer at Listal!

Ashes of Time

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:23:01 GMT

东邪西毒 (1994, Hong Kong) Directed by Wong Kar-Wai Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Jacky Cheung Martial arts, drama Watch the trailer at Listal!

Made in Hong Kong

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:22:43 GMT

香港制造 (1997, Hong Kong) Directed by Fruit Chan Starring: Crime, drama

Sorrows of the Forbidden City

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:22:29 GMT

清宮秘史 (1948, China) Directed by Zhu Shilin Starring: Historical drama

The Love Eterne

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:22:07 GMT

梁山伯与祝英台 (1963, Hong Kong) Directed by Li Han-Hsiang Starring: Musical Watch the trailer at Listal!

The Story of a Discharged Prisoner

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:21:56 GMT

英雄本色 (1967, Hong Kong) Directed by Lung Kong Starring: Crime, drama

Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:21:44 GMT

新蜀山剑侠 (1983, Hong Kong) Directed by Tsui Hark Starring: Fantasy adventure Watch the trailer at Listal!

The Terrorizer

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:21:24 GMT

恐怖份子 (1986, Taiwan) Directed by Edward Yang Starring: Thriller

The Killer

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:21:11 GMT

喋血双雄(1989, Hong Kong) Directed by John Woo Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee Action thriller Watch the trailer at Listal!

Once Upon a Time in China

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:20:58 GMT

黄飞鸿 (1991, Hong Kong) Directed by Tsui Hark Starring: Jet Li Martial arts adventure Watch the trailer at Listal!

Center Stage

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:20:37 GMT

阮玲玉 (1992, Hong Kong) Directed by Stanley Kwan Starring: Maggie Cheung Drama

The Story of Qiu Ju

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:20:24 GMT

秋菊打官司 (1992, China) Directed by Zhang Yimou Starring: Gong Li Comedy, drama

This Life of Mine

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:20:11 GMT

我这一辈子 (1950, China) Directed by Shi Hui Starring: Drama

Kingdom and the Beauty

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:19:50 GMT

江山美人 (1959, Hong Kong) Directed by Li Han-Hsiang Starring: Musical

The Winter

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:19:33 GMT

冬暖 (1969, Taiwan) Directed by Li Han-Hsiang Starring: Drama

An Autumn's Tale

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:19:11 GMT

秋天的童话 (1987, Hong Kong) Directed by Mabel Cheung Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Cherie Chung Drama, romance

A Chinese Ghost Story

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:18:43 GMT

倩女幽魂 (1987, Hong Kong) Directed by Ching Siu-Tung Starring: Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong Fantasy adventure Watch the trailer at Listal!