MovieChat Forums > Da hong denglong gaogao gua (1991) Discussion > One of the best movies in cinema

One of the best movies in cinema

posted 20 years ago by deserthordes
22 replies | jump to latest

Yimou is obviously the master of late 20th century cinema. He is one of the very few directors who succeeds in everything that makes a movie a movie: cinematography, character, plot and psychology, rythm, depth.
I still don't understand why so many people call this "artsy" as if it were something derogatory. Who on earth could prefer the average Hollywood nonsense (plot: the Good Ones fight the Bad Ones, and the Good Ones win!) over a real movie?
This movie is probably the one which will be remembered as the reference movie in the history of cinema for the years 1975 - 2000. I can't wait to see more geniuses come out of China. I'm so glad China is going to be the driving force of life and culture on this planet for the next coming centuries. As long as they bring along this kind of movies, everything is well. Finally we can get rid of Hollywood terrorism!

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] qduvall 19 years ago

Hopefully the success of a perhaps more accessable "Hero" will bring Yimou into the mainstream of modern filmakers where he belongs. His films really are works of art.

[–] NothingMore 19 years ago

This movie is great. I only saw it once on TV a while ago, but it still stands out in my mind. And hey, the bad movies make the good ones look even better.

[–] blue-3 17 years ago

You say that and you only saw it on TV! Imagine, if you can, how amazing it is to see it in a cinema projected from 35mm film!! TV is an insult to the astounding photography in this movie. I could watch it without any sound and find every frame an interesting photograph.

Chinese people have told me they're surprised how many Westerners like this film. I would have thought it is completely safe from political controversy set as it is somewhat before The People's Republic. To Live I would have thought is on much more dangerous political ground but, I'm told, it is more highly regarded in China, but for me Raise the Red Lantern is my favourite Zhang Yimou movie, and therefor very high up in my list of all time favourites.

It seems as though Zhang Yimou has more lately got into huge spectacular stuff. Was he influenced by Lord of the Rings? I find the big stuff is less impressive than the nicely understated ones such as in Not One Less.

[–] Geminitrace 17 years ago

THE best Chinese film ever made.

[–] redwriter76 17 years ago

Agreed

Don't *beep* with me fellas'...this ain't my first time at the rodeo.

[–] TheSixStringGeisha 17 years ago

I agree, not only was the storytelling dramatically sound and engaging the cinematography is beautiful. To me The Last Emperor doesn't compare to this movie because I can watch Raise the Red latern repeatedly and stay riveted by each scene but in turn have moments of restless boredom when watching TLE.

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[–] wordbug 17 years ago

I saw this movie once on TV many years ago and it haunted me. Last year, I managed
at last to get a copy, which, while it isn't a perfect version in terms of colour quality etc, at least it's good enough to enjoy. The cinematography is awesome--the only other film where I can remember being so knocked out by sheer eye-candy-ness like this is 'Black Narcissus'. But its beauty is only part of it--the story says so much about power and powerlessness.
It transports me to another age and another culture, so strongly I can almost smell it.
I think this is simply a great work of art, and it's one of my all-time favourite films.

[–] Muvefan 17 years ago

"haunts" is a good word..

[–] bdave121 17 years ago

I am half way through, and I must say I am taken so far. I wasn't sure if I would like it, especially since it is a bit slow. But so is a good game of chess. Moving one's pieces on the board trying to gain strength...
I have a feeling all does not end well for Gong Li. No, don't tell me...
Back to watching it.

[–] Muvefan 17 years ago

"I have a feeling all does not end well for Gong Li."'

Does it ever in Zhang Yimou's films? LOL

[–] noodle3466 16 years ago

The OP said RTRL will be remembered as the best movie from 1975-2000 and I would agree with him if it were not for Fanny and Alexander.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] holly-155 16 years ago

I saw RTRL two months ago for the first (and sadly, as of now) only time. Happened onto this board and just thinking about this film creates a knot in my stomach and sorrow in my heart for the women in the film. Zhang Yimou is truly a master of emotions as well as the senses.

"All right everyone, what am I doing in there with a d****?"-David Brent

[–] bluestocking-7 12 years ago

http://www.foreignfilms.com/top100.php

The above list (granted lists are subjective) puts Raise the Red Lantern as the best Chinese film made ranking #17.

Yimou Zhang has a total of 3 films in the list.

I just watched Farewell, My Concubine which also starred Gong Li and although I like it, FMC couldn't hold a candle to RTRL.

It's also easy to tell that FMC was not helmed by Yimou Zhang.

[–] make_bleed 14 years ago

perhaps those people are just simply too impatient to sit through any long scene. i got a bit antsy at times as well. i don't know enough to appreciate the cinematography, so i'd just use the slow parts to think over what already transpired & anything symbolic or foreshadowy.

[–] thedefinitearticle2001 14 years ago

I cannot agree more, this is without a doubt one of my favourite movies of all time. I first saw it about 10 years ago - sadly it isn't available on dvd in the UK - an absolute travesty. It makes my recommendations to EVERYBODY all that harder for them to follow up on. Had to get my copy region 1 :(

Daddy Horny Michael

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

it's up there with the best Chinese movies, it's just fantastic storytelling, interesting characters and great acting and writing

everything you need in a movie basically

so many movies, so little time

[–] Towelie_Towel (1701) 5 years ago

Yes, thank God we'll be led by a dictatorship with censorship and with a questionable morale on each individual's life.

[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

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[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

Lets hope it doesnt happen. Western society must be united against the China dictatorship.

[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

This post didnt age well (about China ruling the world. Lets hope it not happens,otherwise we will be forced inside home everytime the politicians wants to) but the movie Raise the red lantern is a great movie by the way! One of my favourites movies.