The saga begins with Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung), a timid, debt-ridden accountant who travels to a remote village to collect money. During a storm, he seeks refuge at the eerie Lan Ro Temple. There, he meets Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong), a mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Ning falls deeply in love, unaware that Xiaoqian is a ghost. She is a tragic spirit forced by the hideous tree demoness Lao Lao (the Tree Devil) to seduce men so the demon can absorb their life force. When Ning discovers the truth, he refuses to abandon her. With the help of the eccentric, sword-fighting Taoist priest Yin Chek-ha (Wu Ma), Ning descends into the underworld itself to rescue Xiaoqian’s soul.
Look for official DVD/Blu‑ray releases, licensed streaming services, or region-locked physical editions; availability varies by territory and platform. (I can search current streaming options if you want.)
Revived the Hong Kong supernatural wuxia genre. Made Joey Wong an iconic “ghost sister” figure. The film’s tragic ending (Xiaoqian reincarnates, Ling loses her) became a signature.
Directed by Ching Siu-tung. Produced by Tsui Hark.
By 1991, the formula was set, but the producers faced a challenge: Leslie Cheung, the protagonist of the first two films, had moved on to other projects. The solution was to shift the narrative focus to the supporting cast while introducing a new lead who felt familiar. a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full
The Plot Set 100 years after the original film, A Chinese Ghost Story III follows Fong (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), a young and penniless monk. Like Ning before him, he finds himself at Lan Ro Temple, which has fallen into further disrepair. There, he meets another beautiful ghost, also named Xiaoqian (Joey Wong, reprising her role as a different spirit), who is once again enslaved by the Tree Demon.
Fong is aided by Yin (Wu Ma), the Taoist swordsman from the first film, and his rival, the Buddhist master White Cloud (the original actor who played the Judge in Part I).
The Cycle Repeats Part III is often viewed as a "spiritual remake" of the first film. The plot beats are almost identical: monk meets ghost, ghost is trapped by Tree Demon, heroes fight to free the soul. However, the change in protagonist offers a different flavor. Tony Leung Chiu-wai plays Fong with a charming naivety distinct from Leslie Cheung’s desperate pathos.
The film excels in its creature design. The Tree Demon is more terrifying than ever, and the climactic battle inside a giant Buddha statue is one of the most imaginative set pieces of the trilogy. While it lacks the freshness of the 1987 original, it stands as a polished and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy’s narrative arc, emphasizing the Buddhist theme of reincarnation and the cyclical nature of fate.
Before 1987, cinematic ghost stories were often slow, atmospheric black-and-white affairs or cheap shockers. But producer Tsui Hark (known for Once Upon a Time in China) wanted to blend classical Chinese literature (Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling) with the high-flying acrobatics of wuxia and the frantic pace of MTV-style editing. The saga begins with Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung),
The result was revolutionary. The "a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full" trilogy is not a continuous narrative in the Western sense, but rather a thematic triptych. Each film explores the impossible love between the living and the dead, set against a backdrop of corrupt bureaucrats, demonic tree spirits, and Taoist exorcists with questionable morals.
By: Classic Cinema Journal
Few film trilogies capture the raw, vibrant energy of Hong Kong cinema’s golden age quite like A Chinese Ghost Story. Directed by the legendary Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark, this trio of films—released in 1987, 1990, and 1991—redefined the wuxia (martial chivalry) and horror genres. If you have been searching for the keyword "a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full", you are likely looking for more than just video links; you want the definitive guide to the mythology, the unique directorial vision, and the historical significance of these masterpieces.
Below, we break down each film in the series, explain why they remain influential decades later, and offer guidance on how to appreciate them in their full, uncut glory.
A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy (1987–1991), produced by and directed by Ching Siu-tung Directed by Ching Siu-tung
, is a landmark of Hong Kong cinema that blends romance, "wuxia" action, and supernatural horror. Based on the classic short story "Nie Xiaoqian" by Pu Songling, it redefined the "FantAsia" genre with its signature wirework and poetic visuals. Film I: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) : Penniless tax collector Ning Caichen
(Leslie Cheung) seeks shelter in the abandoned Lan Ruo Temple. He falls for Nie Xiaoqian (Joey Wong), a beautiful ghost enslaved by a terrifying Tree Demon that feeds on human life force. Key Highlights
The iconic "bathtub scene" where Ning hides Xiaoqian from her master. The introduction of Yan Chixia
(Wu Ma), a Taoist swordsman famous for his award-winning "Taoist Rap". Availability : Included in the A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy Boxset Film II: A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)
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