60 VOICE : It's All About ' The Red Chamber '

It's All About " The Red Chamber "

Synopsis

A tragic tale of Lin Dai Yu and Jia Pao Yu whose romance was not accepted by Jia's family. Pao Yu was later tricked to marry his elderly cousin Pao Chai and when he realized that his bride was swooped and dashed to Dai Yu's mansion, the sickly Dai Yu had died in depression.


Reviews

(1 ) 1961 version

Starring : Betty Loh Ti, Ren Chieh, Pat Ting Hung

Director : Yuan Chiu Feng

This version is quite entertaining with lovely huangmei diao, impressive scenes and costumes.Betty Loh Ti excelled as the “classic beauty” Lin Dai Yu due to her personality which is quite similar to this character. This movie is almost close to perfection if not for the miscast of Ren Chieh as Jia Pao Yu which is really a failure.

Rating : 3 ½ stars of 5


(2) 1977 version

Starring : Brigitte Lin, Sylvia Chang, Michelle
Director : Li Han Hsiang

This is the last gem of the huangmei genre from Shaw Brothers Studio. Brigitte Lin is an excellent choice for the main character Jia Pao Yu, refreshing and sentimental. She has successfully made this version uniquely her own.Sylvia Chang however is a miscast despite of her hard work to make herself a tragic Lin Dai Yu.Though the songs are not the traditional huangmei diao, but commendable are the costumes design and arts directions which are awarded in many film festivals.

Rating : 2 1/2 stars













(3) 1977 non-SB version

Starring : Ivy Ling Po, Chow Zi Ming, Li Ching
Director : Chin Han

This is one of Ivy Ling Po ’s post SB movies. Here, she plays the role of Jia Pao Yu, Li Ching as Pao Chia and the new comer Chow Zi Ming as Lin Dai Yu. No doubt about the acting skills of the 2 Asian Movie Queens, only that they are too matured for the roles. Chow Zi Ming is young and frail in appearance, thus fit into her role perfectly; however her acting skill is below expectation.

Rating : 3 stars


(4) Erotic version I

Starring : Leslie Cheung, Huang Hsing Siew

The classic literature has been modified to make this exotic version.Leslie Cheung played as Jia Pao Yu and Huang as Lin Dai Yu. Both the young, handsome Leslie and the “70s classic beauty” Huang definitely fit in their roles, but the focus of this movie is not about their romance; it is more on the sexual secrets within the Rong mansion.

Rating : 1 star


(5) SB erotic version : Dreams of Eroticism

Starring : Shirley Yu, Si Wei
Directors : all SB directors

Another exotic version of the Chinese Classic Literature !It relates the sexual secrets of the residents of the Rong mansion including the master, concubine, maids and servants. A total deviation of the classic !

Rating : 1 star


(6) Contemporary version : Awakening of the Red Chamber Dreams

Starring : Su Xin Xin, Kao Feng

This is a contemporary version of “The Red Chamber” made in 1977 by some “creative” Singapore film makers. The original plot still stands but ..... Lin Dai Yu is no longer the weak and frail damsel-in-distress but a healthy and confident lady AND Jia Pao Yu is no more a “pampered” playboy but an independent hunk. The supposedly tear-jerker is then changed to a comical romance. Ridiculous huh ! ?

Rating : 1 star


(7) TVBI version

Starring : Lisa Wang, Wu Wei Kuo

This is the Cantonese drama serial made in the ‘70s with Lisa Wang as Lin Dai Yu and Wu Wei Kuo as Jia Pao Yu. Their collaboration is good but somehow they just lack the x-factors to portray the key characters. Also, due to budget constraint, the props and costumes are not glamorous as the movies.

Rating : 1 ½ stars