The King of Masks

Play trailer

The King of Masks

1996

1h 41m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1930s China, aging street performer Wang (Zhu Xu) yearns for a male heir to inherit the secrets of his renowned magical act. Though he refuses an offer to join the opera, he heeds the advice of female-impersonating opera star Liang (Zhang Zhigang) to find an heir. Wang soon buys an 8-year-old orphan named Doggie (Zhou Renying). When his new heir reveals a desperate secret, Wang must choose between following the strictures of society and the fatherly love he feels for his new protégé.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

3/4

A new Chinese film of simplicity, beauty and surprising emotional power.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/13/2020

3.5/4.0

Mesmerizing and unforgettable, The King of Masks will win your heart.

Go to Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

08/07/2008

4/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

08/22/2005

2/5

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

02/18/2005

3.5/4

This charming, '30s-set fable offers richer rewards than a jolt of adrenaline.

Go to Full Review

Susan Tavernetti

Palo Alto Weekly

05/20/2003

2/4

Read all reviews

John A

@ExcessMale 01/03/2025

An almost Kurosawan or perhaps Spielbergian tale cemented by Zhu Xu's naturalistic portrayal.

See more

05/25/2019

The most powerful and moving movie I have ever seen. Every Producer and Director should watch this as an example of how a simple story can make an outstanding and poignant movie without the need for violence, nudity, and special effects.

See more

02/09/2013

(***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Interesting and well-acted.

See more

01/11/2013

Brilliantly acted, and so eloquently paced, The King of Masks bears a few flaws but its innocent power of children and elders triumphs over all else

See more

06/23/2012

Colorful and treacly at the same time.

See more

02/18/2012

The movie feels much older than it is, but it's well done. You'll love the child actor who plays "Doggie" and will get a fascinating glimpse of a China that once was (and maybe still is, in certain parts).

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Tian-Ming Wu

Director

Zhu Xu

Bianlian Wang

Zhou Renying

Gou Wa

Zhang Zhigang

Luo Sulan

Minglun Wei

Writer

Titus Ho

Producer

Blush

50%

%

Blush

Watchlist

Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker

67%

81%

Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker

Watchlist

Temptress Moon

62%

73%

Temptress Moon

Watchlist

Circle of Friends

77%

73%

Circle of Friends

Watchlist

I'm Not Rappaport

40%

59%

I'm Not Rappaport

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1930s China, aging street performer Wang (Zhu Xu) yearns for a male heir to inherit the secrets of his renowned magical act. Though he refuses an offer to join the opera, he heeds the advice of female-impersonating opera star Liang (Zhang Zhigang) to find an heir. Wang soon buys an 8-year-old orphan named Doggie (Zhou Renying). When his new heir reveals a desperate secret, Wang must choose between following the strictures of society and the fatherly love he feels for his new protégé.

Director: Tian-Ming Wu
Producer: Titus Ho, Mona Fong
Screenwriter: Minglun Wei
Production Co: Shaw Brothers
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR