The trilogy (1987–1991) is a cornerstone of Hong Kong cinema, blending high-octane Wuxia action, supernatural horror, and sweeping romance. Produced by the legendary Tsui Hark and directed by Ching Siu-tung , the series redefined the fantasy genre with its innovative wire-work and kinetic visual style. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987): The Cult Classic
The action is bigger, the politics more pronounced (corrupt officials are literal parasites), and the humor broader (a sword-swallowing Taoist played by Wu Ma). But it loses some intimacy. The love story feels contractual, and the centipede demon lacks the tree demon’s perverse charm. Still, the final battle—a collapsing mansion, flying swords, and a giant arthropod puppet—is glorious mayhem. Grade: B+, but essential for seeing the mythology stretch. a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full
Director: Ching Siu-tung (produced by Tsui Hark) The cornerstone. A hapless debt-collector, Ning Caichen (Leslie Cheung), gets stranded at a haunted Lanruo Temple. There he meets Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wang), a ghost enslaved by a hideous tree demon (Lau Siu-ming) to lure men for consumption. Their romance is impossible—she’s dead, he’s broke—but the film sells it with swooning melancholy and breakneck action. The iconic scene: Xiaoqian floats through the moonlit forest while Ning plays a guqin , her white ribbons snaking like silk veins. The trilogy (1987–1991) is a cornerstone of Hong
In the late 1980s, Hong Kong cinema was experiencing a golden age defined by high-octane action, slapstick comedy, and a unique brand of romantic fantasy. Standing tall among the classics is the seminal trilogy: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987), A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990), and A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991). But it loses some intimacy
This direct sequel picks up shortly after the first film, with Ning returning to a mortal world plagued by corrupt officials and chaotic politics.
A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂) is a landmark Hong Kong fantasy-horror-romance series blending gothic atmosphere, martial arts, comedy, and tragic love. Adapted loosely from Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling’s Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, the three films — released in 1987, 1990, and 1991 — helped define a genre and cemented key stars and filmmakers in Hong Kong cinema history.