A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii -1987-1990-1991-... -
Few film trilogies capture the whiplash of tone, the breathtaking visual poetry, and the raw emotional catharsis of A Chinese Ghost Story (Sinnui yauman, also known as A Chinese Ghost Story). Produced by the legendary Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung (the action choreographer behind The Bride with White Hair and Hero), the three films—released in 1987, 1990, and 1991—form a loose, interconnected saga. They are not a single continuous narrative but variations on a theme: a hapless, gentle scholar, a beautiful and tormented ghost, and a thunderous Taoist swordsman battling the forces of a demonic underworld.
What begins as a tragic romance deepens into a political allegory about chaos and order, and finally softens into a comedic, bittersweet fable about second chances. Together, they represent the pinnacle of Hong Kong’s “flying swordsman” (wuxia) and supernatural horror-romance genres.
If you have never visited the Orchid Temple, start with Part I (1987) . Let it break your heart. Watch Part II for the insanity of a flying centipede monster. And watch Part III to see Tony Leung Chiu-wai run away from a cat demon while holding a golden bowl.
The trilogy is not perfect. It is messy, loud, and narratively convoluted. But at its core, it understands that the scariest monsters are nothing compared to the tragedy of love that arrives one moment too late.
Stream them back-to-back. Bring tissues for the first one. Bring popcorn for the rest.
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, 1990, 1991), directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by
, is a definitive landmark of Hong Kong's "Golden Age" of cinema. This genre-defying series blended wuxia action, gothic horror, romantic melodrama, and slapstick comedy into a unique "fantastical" aesthetic that gained worldwide cult status. 百度百科 Film Breakdown A Chinese Ghost Story 1-3
A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)
The first film, directed by Ching Siu-tung, is based on a popular Chinese folklore about a young scholar named Nie Tian (played by Leslie Cheung) who falls in love with a ghost, Yan Chanyan (played by Joey Wong). The story takes place in the Qing dynasty. Nie Tian, while traveling, meets Yan Chanyan, who is a ghost that has been trapped between the world of the living and the dead. She was killed by a bandit on her wedding night. Moved by her tragic fate, Nie Tian helps Yan Chanyan find peace and together they thwart the plans of the evil bandit and his cohorts. A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...
The film is known for its blend of comedy, romance, horror, and action, setting a template for the sequels.
A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
The sequel, also directed by Ching Siu-tung, continues the story with a young couple, Ma Wai (played by Daniel Wu) and Ling (played by Wu Ma), who get married but are soon haunted by the ghost of a woman, Fong (played by Joey Wong), who was seeking revenge. Nie Tian and Yan Chanyan appear in this film, providing guidance and assistance. As the story unfolds, the protagonists face various supernatural challenges.
A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991)
Directed by Wong Jing, this installment shifts focus to a young man named Sung (played by Richard Ng) who gets involved with a ghost, leading to a series of comedic misadventures. The film stars a different cast from the first two movies but tries to capture the same blend of genres.
The series is celebrated for its unique blend of genres, incorporating elements of horror, comedy, romance, and fantasy. The films have become cult classics in Hong Kong and have enjoyed a lasting popularity.
A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987, 1990, 1991) is a cornerstone of Hong Kong's "Golden Age" cinema, blending supernatural horror, martial arts, and tragic romance. Produced by and directed by Ching Siu-tung
, the series revitalized the ghost-story genre through innovative "pre-CGI" practical effects and wire-work. Key Features of the Trilogy The Original (1987): Inspired by the classic tale "Nie Xiaoqian" from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio
, it follows a bumbling tax collector (Leslie Cheung) who falls for a ghost (Joey Wang) enslaved by a tree demon. The Sequel (1990):
Leslie Cheung returns as Ning, who gets caught in a plot involving rebellious sisters and a monstrous demon monk. The Third Installment (1991): Set 100 years after the first, it stars Tony Leung
as a young monk battling the reawakened Tree Devil. It largely mirrors the original's structure but adds comedic elements centered on his vow of celibacy. Fascinating Production Trivia A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy Blu-Ray - Orbit DVD
Here’s a concise, engaging blog-style response based on your title idea:
Title: A Chinese Ghost Story I, II & III (1987–1990–1991): The Tragic, Beautiful, and Bizarre Hong Kong Fantasy Trilogy
If you think you know ghost stories, think again. The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (originally Sinnui yauman), produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, redefined the wuxia-horror-romance genre. But what makes this trilogy so unforgettable? Let’s break it down.
Part I (1987): The Tragic Love Story
Leslie Cheung as the hapless debt collector Ning Caichen, Joey Wong as the ethereal ghost聂小倩 (Nie Xiaoqian)—their chemistry is heartbreaking. The film blends supernatural terror, Taoist exorcists (Wu Ma as the iconic Swordsman Yan), and a doomed romance. The tree demon (Lau Siu-ming) is pure nightmare fuel. The bamboo-lodge fight scenes? Still breathtaking. Few film trilogies capture the whiplash of tone,
Part II (1990): Bigger, Louder, More Political
Following the success, the sequel ups the scale. Ning Caichen is mistaken for a rebel, fights a centipede demon, and teams up with a female swordsman (Michelle Reis) and a cheeky monk (Jacky Cheung!). Less romance, more action. But some argue the soul of the first film gets lost in the chaos. Still, the flying guillotine-like magic and Buddhist imagery are stunning.
Part III (1991): A Bittersweet “Soft Reboot”
Set 100 years later, a new monk (Tony Leung Chiu-wai, very young and monk-ish) battles the same tree demon and falls for a different ghost (Joey Wong again—now playing a seductive spirit). The tone is darker, more erotic, and more tragic. Wang Zu-xian’s double role cleverly echoes the first film but ends in devastation. Tony Leung and Joey Wong are magnetic.
Why Watch?
Final Verdict
Part I is a masterpiece. Part II is messy fun. Part III is a sad, poetic echo. Together, they capture a moment when Hong Kong cinema was fearless—mixing horror, martial arts, and romance with beautiful, haunting results.
Have you seen them? Which ghost broke your heart the most?
The Original Trilogy:
Interesting Facts:
Sequels and Reboots:
The original trilogy remains a beloved and influential part of Hong Kong cinema history, with a blend of romance, humor, and supernatural elements that continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Would you like to know more about the series or is there a specific aspect you'd like to explore further?
The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991), produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung, is a landmark of Hong Kong cinema. It famously blended wuxia swordplay with supernatural horror, slapstick comedy, and sweeping romance, revitalizing the "ancient-costume ghost film" genre. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)
The original film is based on the short story "Nie Xiaoqian" from Pu Songling’s 17th-century collection, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.
Plot: Ning Caichen (Leslie Cheung), a timid and penniless tax collector, takes shelter in the haunted Lanruo Temple. There, he falls for the beautiful Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong), unaware she is a ghost enslaved by a terrifying Tree Demon. The demon uses Xiaoqian to lure men and suck out their "yang essence" with its massive, mile-long tongue.
Resolution: With the help of the eccentric Taoist monk Yan Chixia (Wu Ma), Ning battles the Tree Demon and journeys into the Underworld to rescue Xiaoqian’s soul for a proper reincarnation.
Legacy: The film became a cult classic, known for its "wire-fu" stunts, innovative special effects (like flying heads and zombies), and the iconic chemistry between Cheung and Wong. A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990) If you have never visited the Orchid Temple,
A direct sequel that shifts toward political satire and action-comedy while retaining the supernatural elements.
Use these dimensions to assess each entry. Score each from 1–10 and add brief notes.
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.
Directed by Ching Siu-tung (choreographer of Hero) and produced by Tsui Hark, the original film was a revolutionary departure from the staid Shaw Brothers productions of the prior decade. It took a classic Qing dynasty tale from Pu Songling’s Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio and injected it with 80s MTV pacing, wire-fu poetry, and tragic romance.
The Plot: Ling Choi-san (Leslie Cheung), a timid, debt-ridden debt collector, seeks shelter in the decrepit Lan Ro Temple. There, he meets the ethereal Nie Hsiao-ching (Joey Wong), a ghost enslaved by the monstrous Tree Devil (Lau Siu-ming). Forced to lure men to their deaths, Hsiao-ching instead falls for the naive yet pure-hearted Ling. With the help of the irreverent, sword-slinging Taoist warrior Yen (Wu Ma), Ling must battle the underworld to reincarnate his love.
Why it still resonates:
The Verdict: The 1987 film is a masterpiece. It ends on a note of bittersweet victory: Hsiao-ching is reincarnated, but Ling must walk away, knowing she will remember nothing. It is perfect.
The plot is deceptively simple: A timid, debt-ridden tax collector, Ning Caishan (Leslie Cheung), seeks shelter for the night at the infamous Orchid Temple. There, he falls desperately in love with the ethereal beauty Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong). The catch? She is a ghost, enslaved by a terrifying, thousand-year-old tree demon (Lau Siu-ming) who demands she lure mortal men to their deaths.
Why it endures: The chemistry between Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong is the stuff of cinematic legend. Cheung’s boyish vulnerability contrasts perfectly with Wong’s tragic sensuality. But the film’s secret weapon is the Taoist swordsman, Yin Chek Ha (Wu Ma)—a drunken, disheveled, but lethal exorcist who steals every scene.
Director Ching Siu-tung, a former choreographer, treated wirework like ballet. Characters run up walls, fly across lakes, and fight with glowing swords. The climax—where Ning desperately pulls Xiaoqian’s ashes from the tree demon’s roots as dawn breaks—is one of the most heartbreaking in cinema history.