Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch

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Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch

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Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch

Film poster

Chinese name

Traditional Chinese

中國最後一個太監

Simplified Chinese

中国最后一个太监

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhōngguó Zuìhòu Yīge Tàijiān
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping	Zung1 Gwok3 Zeoi3 Hau6 Jat1 Go3 Taai3 Gaam3

Directed by

Jacob Cheung

Screenplay by

Eddie Fong

Story by

Ni Kuang
Jacon Cheung
Eddie Fong
Chan Wai

Produced by

Sammo Hung

Starring

Cinematography

Tom Lau

Edited by

Peter Cheung

Music by

Joseph Chan
Sherman Chow

Production
companies

Bo Ho Films
Paragon Films

Distributed by

Golden Harvest

Release date

4 March 1988 (1988-03-04)

Running time

90 minutes

Country

Hong Kong

Language

Cantonese

Box office

HK$15,624,171

Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch, also known as Last Eunuch in China (Chinese: 中國最後一個太監) is a 1988 Hong Kong historical drama film directed by Jacob Cheung in his directorial debut and starring Max Mok in the title role of Liu Lai-shi. The film is based on Ni Kuang's novel about eunuch Sun Yaoting.

Plot

[edit]

During the chaos of the late Qing Dynasty, Liu Lai-shi (Max Mok) envies the glory of his fellow townsman and eunuch Siu-tak-cheung and asks his parents for purification. Soon, the Qing dynasty collapses, Liu failed to become an imperial eunuch and was sent to Beijing to study opera. Subsequently, he meets his childhood friend Chiu Tai (Irene Wan). Liu intends to lead a normal family life, but unable to do so after his identity of a eunuch was exposed. The opera troupe leader (Sammo Hung) sympathizes Liu's life experiences and tried to arrange him to the palace to be China's last eunuch. In 1924, Xuantong Emperor was expelled from the Forbidden City and Liu also began his wandering career.

Cast

[edit]

Max Mok as Liu Lai-shi, the main protagonist, China's last eunuch
Irene Wan as Chiu Tai, Liu Lai-shi's childhood friend
Sammo Hung as Liu Lai-shi's teacher, the opera troupe leader
Andy Lau as Han Ming, Chiu Tai's husband and a revolutionary
Wu Ma as Lord Ting, the head eunuch
Lam Ching-ying as Liu Chang-fu, Liu Lai-shi's father
Gua Ah-leh as Liu Lai-shi's mother
Pauline Wong as Sister Hung, a prostitute
Manfred Wong as Eunuch Lee
Peter Mak
Alfred Cheung as the district chief
Anthony Chan as a Japanese interpreter
James Tien as General Lei
Sit Hon as Lord Chao
Sihung Lung as Fu's landlord
Ng Min-kan, Yuen Miu, Chow Kam-kong and Pang Yun-cheung as opera troupe members
Lee Chi-kit as a Japanese soldier
Vincent Chiao as Adjutant

Theme song

[edit]

Misconception (錯覺)
- Composer: Joseph Koo
- Lyricist: Cheng Kwok-kong
- Singer: Andy Lau

Box office

[edit]

The film grossed HK$15,624,171 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 4 March to 31 March 1988 in Hong Kong.

Accolades

[edit]

Accolades
Ceremony	Category	Recipient	Outcome
8th Hong Kong Film Awards	Best Director	Jacob Cheung	Nominated
	Best Actor	Max Mok	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor	Wu Ma	Nominated
24th Golden Horse Awards	Best Actor	Max Mok	Nominated

External links

[edit]

v t e Films directed by Jacob Cheung
Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch (1988) Beyond the Sunset (1989) Cageman (1992) Whatever Will Be, Will Be (1995) The Kid (1999) A Battle of Wits (2006) The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom (2014)

v t e Works by Sammo Hung
Films directed	The Iron-Fisted Monk (1977, also writer) Enter the Fat Dragon (1978) Warriors Two (1978) Knockabout (1979) Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980, also writer) The Victim (1980) The Prodigal Son (1981, also writer) Carry On Pickpocket (1982) Winners and Sinners (1983, also writer) The Owl vs Bombo (1984, also produced) Wheels on Meals (1984) Heart of Dragon (1985) My Lucky Stars (1985) Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars (1985) Millionaires Express (1986) Eastern Condors (1987) Dragons Forever (1988) Spooky, Spooky (1988, also produced) Pedicab Driver (1989, also produced) Pantyhose Hero (1990, also produced) Slickers vs. Killers (1991, also produced) Ghost Punting (1992) Moon Warriors (1992) Blade of Fury (1993) Don't Give a Damn (1995, also produced) Mr. Nice Guy (1997) Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997) The Bodyguard (2016)
Films produced	Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) Pom Pom (1984) Long Arm of the Law (1984) The Return of Pom Pom (1984) Yes, Madam (1985) Mr. Boo Meets Pom Pom (1985) Mr. Vampire (1985) Lucky Stars Go Places (1986) Where's Officer Tuba? (1986) Mr. Vampire II (1986) Rosa (1986) Scared Stiff (1987) Sworn Brothers (1987) Mr. Vampire III (1987) On the Run (1988) Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch (1988) Mr. Vampire IV (1988) Licence to Steal (1990) She Shoots Straight (1990) The Scorpion King (1992)
Films written only	Hong Kong 1941 (1984)
Collaborating director	Septet: The Story of Hong Kong (2020; also writer)

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