The Opium War
Brief Synopsis
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The story of Qing Dynasty official Lin Zexu and his battle against British imperialist is set at the start of 1838 during the first hints of the conflict that would become the Opium War which led to the ceding of Hong Kong to the British Empire. Lin Zexu is dispatched to Quangzhou to put an end to the British traders mass selling of opium to the population, a move that leads him to blockade the East India Company. The British trade rep Eliot arrives in China to broker a public ceremony whereby the opium would be publicly dumped into the sea. This move does not please the politicos in London who promply dispatch massive firepower to attack China's ports.
Director
Xie Jin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1997
Released in United States 1998
Released in United States February 1998
Released in United States May 1997
Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama) February 11-22, 1998.
Shown at Cannes Film Festival (market) May 7-19, 1997.
Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival October 26 - November 15, 1998.
Shown at Montreal World Film Festival (in competition) August 22 - September 2, 1997.
Shown at Seattle International Film Festival May 21 - June 14, 1998.
Currently, "The Opium War" is the most expensive film in the history of Chinese cinema.
Expanded release in China late June 1997.
Released in United States 1997 (Shown at Montreal World Film Festival (in competition) August 22 - September 2, 1997.)
Released in United States 1998 (Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival October 26 - November 15, 1998.)
Released in United States 1998 (Shown at Seattle International Film Festival May 21 - June 14, 1998.)
Released in United States February 1998 (Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama) February 11-22, 1998.)
Released in United States May 1997 (Shown at Cannes Film Festival (market) May 7-19, 1997.)
