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Empire of Silver

Play trailer Poster for Empire of Silver 2011 1h 53m History Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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59% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In 1899 China, the heir (Aaron Kwok) to a banking empire is torn between his ideals, his duty to his family and his love for the woman his father (Zhang Tielin) stole from him.

Critics Reviews

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Tom Keogh Seattle Times 12/01/2011
2.5/4
What, if anything, the film's final burst of idealism offers universally is hard to say. But it feels good to see in these acrimonious days. Go to Full Review
Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News 06/03/2011
3/5
Though written too broadly to serve as the powerful allegorical tale writer/director Christina Yao intends, this historical epic is just compelling enough to be taken on its own terms. Go to Full Review
Mark Jenkins Washington Post 06/03/2011
2/4
Occasionally muddled and always melodramatic, yet it's pictorially compelling, thanks to dramatic locations and exacting art direction. Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/16/2019
What a fascinating film! Historical (in fact, rooted in the history of writer/director Christina Yao's own family), interesting and beautiful, Empire of Silver shines in every respect. Go to Full Review
Laura Hiros Rincón de cine 03/19/2018
3/5
A story with all the elements of a good "Shakespearean" drama... [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Don Groves sbs.com.au 05/24/2012
3/5
Unwieldy Chinese melodrama shows money can't buy love. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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08/08/2015 well crafted historical epic that is gorgous to look at See more Walter M @Harlequin68 11/03/2014 In "Empire of Silver," business is good for Master Kang(Tielin Zhang) and his banking empire, even with Manager Qui(Zhicheng Ding) being fired for embezzlement. On the personal side, there is the wedding of Kang's son, Fourth Master, who goes on his honeymoon with his new bride. And then everything hits the fan. By the time the smoke clears, the bride is dead, along with a couple of other people, Second Master is seriously wounded and Fourth Master has a nervous breakdown. That leaves Third Master(Aaron Kwok) having to take responsibility for once in his life. "Empire of Silver" is set at the time of Boxer Rebellion, involving a banking dynasty and all the soap opera that goes along with that. That's more than enough material for a ten hour miniseries, much less a two hour movie like this one. So, it is no surprise that some of this story feels rushed and fractured at times. But as long as the movie remains clear about showing how one cannot be in total control of the future no matter how much one tries to manipulate events, then all is well, especially considering the handsome production. See more Frances H 04/07/2014 Moving family saga told against a background of the greatest changes in the history of China. Wonderful acting and sweeping cinematography. See more 09/10/2013 Too episodic, which makes it hard to follow the story. Too many times I had no idea what was going on. Too much material to cram into just one movie. With so many characters, it's often hard to tell them apart. Great potential, but falls short. Not terrible, just not great. See more 12/14/2012 i bothered with it for the colours and the richness of the visual scenes. Perhaps Christina Yao tried to do too much with it. Either leave the love story or minimise it and make it a film about the banking business, the changing turbulent times and its effect on the survival instincts on people etc. Or be brave and do the full epic heart wrenching love tale that may be more satisfying for all concerned. ps:- Why hasn't Aaron Kwok's mandarin improved? See more 10/01/2012 Epic! A must see for every bankers out there... See more Read all reviews
Empire of Silver

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1899 China, the heir (Aaron Kwok) to a banking empire is torn between his ideals, his duty to his family and his love for the woman his father (Zhang Tielin) stole from him.
Director
Christina Yao
Producer
Peggy Chiao, Christina Yao
Screenwriter
Christina Yao, Cheng Yi
Distributor
Neoclassic Films
Production Co
Ocean Pictures
Genre
History, Drama, Romance
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2011, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 16, 2013
Runtime
1h 53m