Raise the Red Lantern

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Raise the Red Lantern

PG

Released Sep 10, 1991

2h 5m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

94%

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10,000+ Ratings

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

Critics Consensus

Visually thrilling and rich with emotion, Raise the Red Lantern offers an engrossing period drama anchored by an outstanding performance from Gong Li.

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Ted Shen

Chicago Reader

Zhang seems to suggest, the price for rebellion and transgression is still death or madness.

Rated: 3/4

May 26, 2022

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Rob Nelson

Village Voice

Visually ravishing and emotionally cold, Zhang's third feature is one long series of pushes and pulls.

Feb 27, 2007

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

A beautifully crafted and richly detailed feat of consciousness-raising and a serious drama with the verve of a good soap opera.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 20, 2003

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Once again making exceptional use of bright colour, symbolic compositions, stylised sets and the breathtaking rural landscape, director Zhang Yimou has fashioned a compelling and at times erotic story about the repression of women in 1920s China.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 30, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In Raise the Red Lantern, Zhang Yimou's most widely acclaimed film, the Chinese director portrays life as a series of performative gestures under the duress of cultural tradition, prescribed gender roles, and hierarchical power structures.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 12, 2022

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

The feminist anthem here is a subtle wisp bolstered by sumptuousness, Zhang's masterful composition and Gong.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 15, 2020

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Alec B

It starts off as melodrama but ends like a horror movie. Love the shooting location which is like a claustrophobic labyrinth.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

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Jerod S

The Red Lantern was the symbol of the master being in a mistresses house...and these 4 ladies are in a battle - for significance, worth, companionship. The old school chinese system is brutally put on display. And even though its slow, it's a great story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/23

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Georgan G

Well-done but sad Chinese film which shows the fruitless lives of wife and concubines of a rich man in the 1920s. We watch the latest woman go through her first year in this household where the females must compete for the master's attention.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

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Massoud H

So exquisite. One of my all-time favorite films.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/23

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Audience Member

It starts off as melodrama but ends like a horror movie. Love the shooting location which is like a claustrophobic labyrinth.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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mei l

They don't make films like this anymore in China. It's beautiful and one of the best films made by the 5th generation directors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Yimou Zhang

Director

Gong Li

Songlian

Jingwu Ma

The Master

Saifei He

Meishan (Third Wife)

Cao Cuifeng

Zhuoyan (Second Wife)

Jin Shuyuan

Yuru

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Synopsis

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

Director: Yimou Zhang
Producer: Fu-Sheng Chiu
Screenwriter: Su Tong, Ni Zhen
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Salon Films, China Film Co-Production Corporation, ERA International, Century Communications
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.6K
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby