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IMDbPro

Inside Forbidden City

Original title: Song gong mi shi
  • 19651965
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
37
YOUR RATING
Inside Forbidden City (1965)
DramaMusical
The tale of two imperial concubines vying for the emperor's favor.The tale of two imperial concubines vying for the emperor's favor.The tale of two imperial concubines vying for the emperor's favor.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
37
YOUR RATING
    • Li Kao
    • Cheh Chang
    • Li Kao
  • Stars
    • Ivy Ling Po
    • Feng Chin
    • Miao Ching
    • Li Kao
    • Cheh Chang
    • Li Kao
  • Stars
    • Ivy Ling Po
    • Feng Chin
    • Miao Ching
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Inside Forbidden City (1965)
    Inside Forbidden City (1965)
    Inside Forbidden City (1965)
    Inside Forbidden City (1965)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ivy Ling Po
    Ivy Ling Po
    • Kou Chu
    Feng Chin
    Feng Chin
    • Emperors Sung Chen-Chung and Sung Jen-Chung
    Miao Ching
    Miao Ching
    • Judge Pao Cheng-Tien
    Sha-Fei Ouyang
    Sha-Fei Ouyang
    • Concubine Li Chen-Fei
    Ching Lee
    Ching Lee
    • Concubine Li's Attendant…
    Pao-Shu Kao
    Pao-Shu Kao
    • Concubine Liu…
    Yu-Hsin Chen
    Yu-Hsin Chen
    • Kuo Huai
    Wen-Chung Ku
    Wen-Chung Ku
    • Chen Lin
    Kuang-Chao Chiang
    Kuang-Chao Chiang
    • Fan Chung-Hua
    Feng Tien
    Feng Tien
    • Minister Tai
    Fan Ho
    Fan Ho
    • Prince Ti
    Tan Fan
    Tan Fan
    • Pao Hsing
    Yi Feng
    Yi Feng
    • Wang Chao
    Yunhua Chen
    Yunhua Chen
    • Empress Ti (Guest star)
    Chih-Ching Yang
    Chih-Ching Yang
    • Emperor's Brother (Guest star)
    Lo-Wah Chan
    • Midwife Yu
    • (as Lu-Hua Chen)
    Hsi Chang
    Hsi Chang
    • Court Bailliff
    Shih-Ou Chang
    Shih-Ou Chang
    • Constable
      • Li Kao
      • Cheh Chang
      • Li Kao
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Referenced in Goldbuster (2017)

    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    All Involved Provide Superior Artistic Entertainment.
    Although achieving fame in the United States for martial arts spectacles, the Shaw Brothers of Hong Kong produced many other, and indeed superior films, such as this Huangmei (traditional folk) opera bedded upon a tale from the Sung Dynasty during the rule of Emperor Jen Tsung (1023/64), showcasing graceful Ivy Ling Po, eloquent in voice and gesture and in full possession of her panoply of performance skills. Shot in splendrous Eastman Color, the work profits from the customary superior production values of the Shaws that intensify an interesting plot and sterling acting, relating a story that has not lost its appeal over centuries, replete with beautiful music, conspiracy and betrayal, along with the vagaries of fate, expertly directed by Kao Li. An intricate plot depicts the feral talents of concubine Madame Liu that are utilized in enabling her to become Empress at drastic expense to rival court favourite (Madame) Li Zhenfei who is dishonoured and exiled while her infant son, claimed by Liu and reared to become future Emperor, is unknowing of his actual mother's existence. Costuming and production design is each startling in beauty and imaginative quality, at the same time largely correct, the songs revealing internal conflicts of the principals, while the cinematography, editing, sound mixing, and makeup and hair styling are in league, supporting the capable direction and nuanced playing that bring forth a fascinating film; the Mandarin original is the one to experience - the subtitles in English are enormously odd.
    helpful•4
    0
    • rsoonsa
    • Oct 3, 2004

    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 16, 1965 (Hong Kong)
      • Hong Kong
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
    • Production company
      • Shaw Brothers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 43 minutes
      • Mono

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