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
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
- 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 (guest star)
- Andy Lau as Han Ming, Chiu Tai's husband and a revolutionary (guest star)
- Wu Ma as Lord Ting, the head eunuch (guest star)
- Lam Ching-ying as Liu Chang-fu, Liu Lai-shi's father (guest star)
- 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
- Misconception (錯覺)
- Composer: Joseph Koo
- Lyricist: Cheng Kwok-kong
- Singer: Andy Lau
Box office
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
| 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 |
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