Romance Of The Western Chamber (1927 aka Xixiang
Ji/China/Silent/Cinema Epoch/Koch)
Picture: C Sound: C+ Extras: D Film: B-
Hou Yao
adapted and co-directed this silent film adaptation of Shih-Fu Wang’s play Romance Of The Western Chamber (1927)
about student Zhang who goes to take a major test at a major temple and falls
in love with the daughter of the Prime Minister. They get attacked by robbers and she is
kidnapped, getting her mother to offer her hand in marriage to whomever saves
her. The poor Zhang goes to find her and
when he does…
Well,
this is 49 minutes at silent speed and is 45 here, meaning this is either sped
up and/or missing some footage. Either
way, it is a beautiful-looking production and was a hit in its day. The book was written in the 1300s, but this
film never feels stuff or pretentious.
That is why you should catch it at least once.
The 1.33
X 1 image is from a print with four languages on each title card, including new
English subtitles. The film shows its
age, but is still watchable despite detail limits and print damage. This needs a serious HD upgrade. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has new music,
but it is a little shrill and does not enhance the film too much. There are no extras, but for such an
important film and play, there should have been something.
- Nicholas Sheffo
