A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii -1987-1990-1991-... _verified_ Today

Beyond the Silk Robes: The Wild World of A Chinese Ghost Story (1987–1991)

If you haven’t experienced 1980s Hong Kong cinema, you’re missing out on a specific kind of beautiful, high-octane madness. At the center of it is the A Chinese Ghost Story

trilogy—a fever dream of gravity-defying swordplay, tragic romance, and giant, soul-sucking tongues.

Produced by the legendary Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, these films redefined "ghostly cinema" by mashing together horror, comedy, and martial arts into something totally unique. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987): The Masterpiece

The first film is a certified classic. It follows Ning Choi-san (the late, legendary Leslie Cheung), a bumbling debt collector who has to stay in the haunted Orchid Temple because he’s too broke for an inn. There, he meets Nip Siu-sin (Joey Wong), a beautiful ghost forced to lure men to their deaths by her master, a terrifying Tree Demon with a massive, prehensile tongue. Why it works:

The chemistry between Cheung and Wong is enchanting, and the wire-work action is breathtaking.

Wu Ma as the eccentric, rap-singing Taoist monk who helps Ning fight off the underworld. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990): The Political Sequel

A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991) is a definitive pillar of Hong Kong cinema, blending action, supernatural horror, and tragic romance . Produced by and directed by Ching Siu-tung

, the series is loosely based on Pu Songling's classic short story "Nie Xiaoqian" from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio The Original Trilogy

Audience and Viewing Recommendations

If you want an emotionally resonant gothic romance: prioritize the 1987 film.
If you prefer action-comedy spectacle with franchise flavor: II offers a middle ground.
If you want brisk, lighter, stunt-forward entertainment: III is the most playful.
For first-time viewers: watch the 1987 film alone before deciding to continue; it stands best on its own.
For repeat viewing: watch sequences back-to-back to trace how visual effects and choreography evolve.

A Different Beast

Produced during the aftermath of the Tiananmen

A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991) is a cornerstone of Hong Kong's "New Wave" cinema, masterfully blending wuxia action, gothic horror, and sweeping romance. Produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, the series became a cult classic for its gravity-defying wirework and imaginative visual effects. Part I: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...

This film established the series' iconic style, loosely based on the classic story "Nie Xiaoqian" from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.

Plot: Ning Caichen, a clumsy tax collector, seeks shelter in the haunted Lanruo Temple. He falls in love with Nie Xiaoqian, a beautiful ghost forced to lure men to their deaths for her master, the evil Tree Demon. Key Characters:

Ning Caichen (Leslie Cheung): The bumbling yet kind-hearted protagonist.

Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong): The ethereal ghost trapped by a demonic master.

Yan Chixia (Wu Ma): A grumpy, sword-wielding Taoist monk who helps Ning. Part II: A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)

Directly following the first film, this sequel leans more into political satire and high-speed action.

Plot: Ning Caichen is wrongfully imprisoned but escapes, encountering two rebel sisters, Windy and Moon. Windy bears a striking resemblance to his lost love, leading to a new supernatural battle against a demonic "High Priest" infiltrating the imperial court. Key Characters:

Windy / Ching Fung (Joey Wong): A human rebel who Ning initially mistakes for Xiaoqian.

Autumn / Chi Chau (Jacky Cheung): A quirky, younger Taoist priest who assists Ning.

Moon / Yuet Chi (Michelle Reis): Windy’s sister, who also becomes involved in the conflict. Culture Shock: A Chinese Ghost Story | Showroom Cinema Beyond the Silk Robes: The Wild World of

Part II: A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990) – The Chaos of Dynasty

Following the smash success of the first film, a sequel was inevitable. However, the tragic ending of Part I left little room for a direct sequel. Instead, A Chinese Ghost Story II goes full Tsui Hark: louder, faster, more politically chaotic, and significantly more confusing.

The Plot: Ling Choi-san is mistaken for a fugitive rebel and thrown into prison. The world has changed; evil ministers and demons (led by a centipede spirit) control the land. He meets a doppelgänger of the deceased Hsiao-ching (Joey Wong again, playing a human revolutionary named Ching). Alongside a new female sword-fighter (Michelle Reis) and the returning Yin Chek-ha, Ling must defeat a massive, transforming demon.

Tonal Shift: Part II abandons the quiet, Gothic horror of the temple for political satire and monster brawls. The Tree Devil is gone. In its place is a giant, glowing centipede that sheds human skin. The romance is secondary to the acrobatics.

What works: Michelle Reis as the cold, practical monk-fighter "Moon" is a highlight. The final battle, featuring a giant hollow demon head and massive explosions, is pure Hong Kong insanity. What fails: The magic is diluted. Replacing the unique chemistry of "ghost and scholar" with a "look-alike human" feels like cheating. Leslie Cheung’s Ling is now a screaming coward for 90% of the runtime, which gets exhausting.

The Verdict: An entertaining, over-stuffed blockbuster. It lacks the soul of the original but is a crucial bridge to the madness of Part III.

Overview

"A Chinese Ghost Story" refers primarily to a Hong Kong film series inspired by Pu Songling’s short story collection Liaozhai Zhiyi. The trilogy combines romance, supernatural horror, wuxia action, and dark comedy, notable for its atmospheric cinematography, special effects for the era, and fusion of traditional Chinese folklore with modern filmmaking.

Thematic Core

Part II is about chaos. The demon is not just a monster; it represents corrupt authority. The line between human and demon blurs when humans behave worse than spirits. The film ends on a hopeful note: Ning chooses the living world, walking away with Yuet-yin, finally accepting that the past is gone. It’s a less tragic, more cathartic ending—but some fans miss the purity of the first film’s sorrow.

Final Ranking

Best Film: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) – 10/10. Essential cinema.
Most Fun: Part III (1991) – 8/10. The action climax is a fever dream.
Skip if you must: Part II (1990) – 6/10. Watch only for Michelle Reis’s whip fighting.

If you have never experienced these films, find a restored 4K print. Let the mournful pan-flute music wash over you. In a world of soulless CGI blockbusters, the image of Joey Wong floating through a ruined temple, her silk ribbons trailing through moonlight, remains the definitive image of cinematic enchantment.

"It's too dangerous to be a hero." – Yin Chek-ha. But for one trilogy, it was worth it.

The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy, released between 1987 and 1991, is a landmark of Hong Kong cinema that redefined the supernatural fantasy genre by blending "wire-fu" action, slapstick comedy, and gothic romance. Produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, the series became a global cult phenomenon, known for its "Spielbergian" special effects and its hauntingly beautiful leads, Leslie Cheung and Joey Wang. 1. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Audience and Viewing Recommendations

The original film is loosely based on a short story from Pu Songling’s 17th-century collection, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.

The Story: A bumbling and timid tax collector, Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung), seeks shelter in the abandoned Orchid Temple. There, he falls for the ethereal Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wang), unaware she is a ghost enslaved by a terrifying, thousand-year-old Tree Demon (Lau Siu-ming) with a lethal, elongated tongue. Key Highlights:

The iconic "underwater kiss" scene where Xiaoqian hides Ning from her master in a bath.

The dynamic performance of Wu Ma as the eccentric, sword-wielding Taoist monk Yin Chek-ha.

Revolutionary practical effects, including stop-motion zombies and giant puppet tongues. 2. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)

Picking up directly after the events of the first film, the sequel shifts toward a more political and "bonkers" narrative. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy (BLU)

The Shift to Comedy and Warmth

Tonal Whiplash: Part III is far closer to a supernatural comedy than a tragedy. Jacky Cheung’s Fong is clumsy, loud, and cowardly—the opposite of Leslie Cheung’s dignified Ning. The film leans into slapstick: mistaken identities, magical mishaps, and a running gag about a flying sword that has a mind of its own.
Joey Wong’s Third Xiaoqian: She is delightful—playful, vain, and learning to be good. This Xiaoqian falls in love not through tragedy but through shared laughter. Her redemption arc is less about escaping a demon and more about choosing humanity.
The Golden Buddha: A memorably weird villain—static, huge, and somehow terrifying despite being a giant golden statue. Its lair is filled with trapped souls and deadly illusions.
Wu Ma’s Masterclass: Yin Chek-ha is now the weary patriarch, training a new generation. His final battle—using his own blood to form a sealing talisman—is both thrilling and bittersweet, as he knows his age is catching up.

I. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)

"A gentle scholar falls for a ghost with a heart of gold."

Widely regarded as a masterpiece of 1980s Hong Kong cinema, the first installment remains the most iconic. It is a loose adaptation of Pu Songling's short story "The Nie Xiaoqian" from the Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.

The Plot: The story follows Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung), a timid, debt-collecting scholar who is forced to take shelter in a dilapidated temple during a rainstorm. Unbeknownst to him, the temple is a hunting ground for a millennia-old Tree Demon (Lau Siu-ming), who uses beautiful female ghosts to lure men to their deaths to feed on their spirits. Ning falls in love with one such ghost, Lit Siu-sin (Joey Wong), a tragic spirit enslaved by the Tree Demon. With the help of a Taoist swordsman, Yin Chek-hsia (Wu Ma), Ning attempts to free her spirit and grant her reincarnation.

Legacy & Analysis:

The Aesthetic: The film created a visual template that would be copied for decades. The use of billowing silks, dry-ice fog, and laser-optic martial arts effects gave the film a surreal, " Eastern Gothic" atmosphere.
The Performances: Leslie Cheung perfectly embodies the innocent, bumbling everyman, while Joey Wong became the archetypal "ghost beauty"—ethereal, melancholic, and hauntingly beautiful. Wu Ma’s turn as the gruff, whiskey-swilling monk provided the film’s comedic backbone.
Themes: At its core, the film is about the triumph of love over the boundaries of life and death. It juxtaposes the corruption of the human world (where Ning is swindled and penniless) against the purity of the ghost world.