A popular concubine becomes a Taoist priestess to escape the traditional roles society assigns to her as a woman, focusing instead on her studies and poetry. However, her trysts with both her maid and a ronin lead to trouble.
“An Amorous Woman of the Tang Dynasty” is another film that features a slight departure in content and tone for the Shaw Brothers studio. There is not much information about this movie online, although the back of the box marks it as one of the Shaw Brothers’ last films.
This film follows Yu Yuan-Gi (Patricia Ha), a woman who has been working as a concubine, and her decision to enter the Taoist temple to train as a priestess. Unfortunately, her sexual appetites get in the way as she enters into trysts with a swordsman (Alex Man) and her maid (Monica Lam). While the movie is more erotically situated than is usual for this production studio (at least from the output that I’ve encountered), the film does have its share of swordplay interspersed throughout.
Personally, I wasn’t too enthralled by this movie. There are some nicely photographed sequences, but mostly, I found this to be another work that doesn’t pull the audience into the story. None of these people were characters I cared about, which I’d consider pretty crucial for a romantically charged movie like this.
This disc is a limited edition release from 88 Films. Like many of their other limited releases, it features a slipcover and a double-sided poster inside the case.
There is not much information available about the film’s transfer, except for a statement on the box that states it is from the original negative. Mostly, this movie looks good. There are moments where movement appears odd, suggesting that frames are missing. Some of the darker lit interior scenes also have a pulsating appearance that I found distracting (the image grows brighter then darker then brighter again throughout the scene).
Features include a commentary from David West, an archival interview with star Alex Man, stills, and the film’s trailer.
Those looking for something different from the Shaw Brothers studio will want to check this film out, as well as completists seeking to complete their collection of the studio’s works. The movie is nicely presented; however, I don’t think this is a film I’ll want to revisit anytime soon.
Now available on a Special Limited Edition Blu-ray from 88 FILMS
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