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      Empire of Silver

      Released Jun 3, 2011 1h 53m History Drama Romance List
      59% 17 Reviews Tomatometer 51% 250+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Tom Keogh Seattle Times 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. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 1, 2011 Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News 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. Rated: 3/5 Jun 3, 2011 Full Review Mark Jenkins Washington Post Occasionally muddled and always melodramatic, yet it's pictorially compelling, thanks to dramatic locations and exacting art direction. Rated: 2/4 Jun 3, 2011 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 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. Nov 16, 2019 Full Review Laura Hiros Rincón de cine A story with all the elements of a good "Shakespearean" drama... [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 Mar 19, 2018 Full Review Don Groves sbs.com.au Unwieldy Chinese melodrama shows money can't buy love. Rated: 3/5 May 24, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member well crafted historical epic that is gorgous to look at Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review walter m 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Frances H Moving family saga told against a background of the greatest changes in the history of China. Wonderful acting and sweeping cinematography. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/16/14 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member 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? Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Epic! A must see for every bankers out there... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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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
      Jeremy Thomas
      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