88 Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties was one of the most ambitious films made in the Taiwan film industry in the 1960s. After leaving The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong and moving to Taiwan, film-maker Li Han-hsiang mounted this historical epic. Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands. The film was produced on a truly vast scale to bring this history to life in vivid colour. It swept the Golden Horse Awards in 1965 and is here presented in a version lovingly restored in 4K from its original Camera negative. (154 Mins)

 

Views: Originally released in two parts, this hugely successful Taiwanese production from 1965 went onto win a number of Golden Horse awards that year including that for Best Picture and Best Director. Hailed as the most expensive Chinese-language film of its time, the story is set in the historical Warring States period of China that pits two Kings against each other, one of whom uses some local beauties to serve his enemy and lure him to his doom!

 

Hsi Shih: The Beauty Of Beauties stars Chiang Ching as the titular character of the story, in what would only have been her fourth starring role since entering the industry just 2 years before in films such as Seven Fairies, Trouble On The Wedding Night, and The Story Of Sue San for director King Hu and the Shaw Brothers studios. Incidentally, the former two would be directed by King Hu's good friend and mentor, Li Han Hsiang, the same incredibly successful director behind The Beauty Of Beauties and almost 90 other titles over the period of 4 decades including many Shaw Brothers titles such as The Kingdom & The Beauty, Return Of The Phoenix, The Empress Dowager, The Ghost Story, The Warlord, and The Golden Lotus featuring a young Jackie Chan...

 

Interestingly, both he and star Chiang Ching would rarely cross paths after this, with the actress going on to appear in films such as Jade Dragon, Black Bull & White Snake, Dinosaur Fights Against Cosmic Men, and Four Moods which would see Li Han Hsiang co-direct with King Hu and others. Although produced by the Taiwan Film Studio and Grand Motion Picture Company, The Beauty Of Beauties proves to be as stunning and grand as the very best of the Shaw Brothers productions – with Li Han Hsiang putting his experience at the Hong Kong studios as a producer and director, to very good use. Here, he is supported by two assistant directors – the first being prolific actor Chu Mu who went onto direct forgotten Jackie Chan vehicles such as Not Scared To Die also known as Eagle Shadow Fist, The Heroine which is also known as Police Woman, Young Tiger, and Rumble In Hong Kong, as well as his early Golden Harvest appearances in comedies All In The Family and No End Of Surprises. The second to assist would be Sung Tsun Shou, assisting for the last time before becoming a director in his own right just a few years later, going on to deliver titles such as Ghost Of The Mirror, Rainbow In My Heart, Windflower In The Storm, and more.

 

The film is beautifully captured by no less than three talented cinematographers who deliver a grand scale to the lengthy melodrama and few action scenes, gaining them the win of Best Cinematography at the aforementioned Golden Horse Awards next to Best Art Direction – and it's clear to see why. The Beauty Of Beauties offers the same grandeur as that seen in revered Hollywood classics such as Ben Hur, Lawrence Of Arabia, Spartacus, and others, that (while not perfect and sometimes tragic) may still prove to be a little too long for some viewers as its heavy dialogue can often bog down the visual attraction. But with its cast of thousands, sweeping shots, grand battle scenes, big orchestral numbers, and stunning set pieces, there's no ignoring the award winning awesomeness of Li's work, with The Beauty Of Beauties proving to be a huge undertaking for the talented film-maker that would make even the most prolific Hollywood directors today think twice before taking on such a project.

 

As far as historical epics go, fans of Jet Li's Hero, John Woo's Red Cliff, or Andy Lau's Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon, among others such as The Emperor & The Assassin, Curse Of The Golden Flower, and Sacrifice, will enjoy the political intrigue and lengthy monologues on offer – while those expecting a fast-paced wuxia epic may be a little disappointed. Still, one can't deny the work, effort and scale of such a movie and The Beauty Of Beauties deserves to be seen at least once by any true fan of cinematic classics!

 

Overall: A beautiful sweeping epic, The Beauty Of Beauties is a stunning historical drama that is worthy of a watch and worthy of its wins!

 

88 Films Blu-ray Extras: 4K Restoration, Interview with Tony Rayns, Restoration Comparison, Trailer

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