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Bitter Tea of General Yen |
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Bitter Tea of General Yen
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by Sony Pictures
Sales Rank: 31406
Price: $19.98
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This extraordinary film, way ahead of its time, provides unforgettable viewing. The story is unlike anything that came out of Hollywood ever, and this was 1933! Barbara Stanwyck plays a missionary's wife who is captured by a Chinese warlord, played by Nils Asther. The film explores the clash of the cultures as the western and narrow minded Stanwyck learns to understand the oriental Asther. <br /> <br />In Frank Capra annals, it is a unique, so different to the sentimental comedies in which he later specialised. Capra was trying for an Oscar as best picture but the film was too off beat to have wide appeal and it was not a box office success. It has a dream/nightmare quality and spectacular soft focus photography. Nils Asther is inscrutable and completely convincing. Barbara Stanwyck displays her unusual naturalism and is very moving. The juxtaposition of her realistic persona to his exotic one makes their relationship unforgettable. The last few minutes of the film are incredibly powerful. You will never forget the closing shot. <br /> <br />This was the last of 4 films which Stanwyck made with Capra at Columbia. This is one film which could still blow away a modern audience. It should be revived and shown publicly. It is time that the Stanwyck/Capra collaboration was celebrated in a suitable DVD set. All the films are unique and worthy of revival, although this one is probably the greatest.
Viewer Reviews
says Jones (Walter Connolly) in the last scene of this movie. That about sums it up. Somewhat below average. Barbara Stanwyck wasn't below average. She never is. She is practicing acting as the beautiful, virginal, (if somwhat gullible) missionary Megan Davis. She's about to be married in China to another missionary. There is a riot & she is rescued or kidnaped depending on your point of view by General Yen. He is basically a ruthless criminal played by Nils Asher. Apparently there were no Asian actors in Hollywood in 1933. He falls in love with Megan immediately. But it is unrequited. She is conflicted & may be falling for him. He is very charming. Those look like real tears streaming down Megan's cheek in one close-up. For our time, it's a bit racist. The Chinese are refered to as devils, yellow swine & Orientials. They are looked down at by European diplomats as they are cheated & then converted. I'm glad I saw this movie but I wouldn't sit through it twice.
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