Madam White Snake (1962)
A timeless Shaw Brothers fantasy epic retelling China's beloved legend of a serpent spirit and her forbidden love for a mortal man.
Madam White Snake - Movie Information
- Original Title: 白蛇傳
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Griffin Yueh Feng
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Music
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 2, 1962 (Hong Kong)
- Alternative Titles: นางพญางูขาว (TH), Madame White Snake (HK)
- Production Companies: Shaw Brothers
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
Madam White Snake - Plot
This Classic Seductive tale of two snakes who assume human forms will send chills of pleasure down viewers' backs. The Lovely Linda Lin Dai (Les Belles, The Kingdom And The Beauty) and margaret Tu Chuan (The Dream of The Red Chamber) play the two sister serpents, Pak Su-cheng and Ching Ching. Su-cheng meets Hsu Hsien (Chao Lei) one day and recognizes him as her savior in another life 1,000 years ago. She marries him to reward him but the snake-human union brings about problems beyond imagination.
Madam White Snake - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the legend of the White Snake come to life:
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Madam White Snake - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Griffin Yueh Feng
Main Cast
- Linda Lin Dai
- Zhao Lei
- Margaret Tu Chuan
- Yang Chi-Ching
- Lee Wan-Chung
- Yiu Kwang-Chao
- Chui Chung-Hok
- Gwan Jing-Leung
- Lau Yan-Kit
- Lan Wei-Lieh
Writers
- Ko Jui-Fen
Producers
- Runme Shaw
- Run Run Shaw
Madam White Snake - FAQs
Is Madam White Snake based on a true story?
Madam White Snake is not based on a true story. It adapts one of China's most beloved folk legends, the Legend of the White Snake, a centuries-old tale of a serpent spirit who transforms into a woman and falls in love with a mortal man, only for their union to be threatened by a zealous Buddhist monk.
Where can I watch Madam White Snake online?
Streaming availability for Madam White Snake varies by region. You can check current platforms and viewing options, including any rental or purchase options, via JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for your location.
Who are the main actors in Madam White Snake?
The film stars Linda Lin Dai as Pai Su Chen (the White Snake), Zhao Lei as the mortal Hsu Hsien, and Margaret Tu Chuan as Hsiao Ching (the Green Snake). Yang Chi-Ching plays the antagonist Abbot Fa Hai, the monk determined to separate the snake spirit from her human husband.
What is Madam White Snake about?
Two snake spirits, Pak Su-cheng and Ching Ching, assume human forms. Su-cheng recognizes a man named Hsu Hsien as her savior from a past life 1,000 years ago and marries him. Their forbidden union between a serpent spirit and a mortal soon draws the wrath of a powerful Buddhist abbot.
Who directed Madam White Snake?
Madam White Snake was directed by Griffin Yueh Feng, a prolific Hong Kong filmmaker who worked extensively within the Shaw Brothers studio system during its golden era. The film is widely regarded as one of his most visually accomplished and emotionally resonant works.
Did Madam White Snake win any awards?
Madam White Snake was a celebrated Shaw Brothers production upon its 1962 release. Linda Lin Dai, one of Hong Kong cinema's most iconic stars of the era, was widely praised for her performance. The film is recognized as a landmark of classic Chinese fantasy cinema and a high point of Shaw Brothers craftsmanship.
What genre is Madam White Snake?
Madam White Snake blends Fantasy, Romance, Drama, and Music into a richly layered classical Chinese production. It draws on operatic and folk-tale traditions, combining elaborate costume design, mythological storytelling, and melodramatic romance in the distinctive Shaw Brothers studio style of the early 1960s.
How long is Madam White Snake?
Madam White Snake has a runtime of 95 minutes, or 1 hour and 35 minutes. The film moves through its mythological narrative at a measured pace, balancing spectacular fantasy set pieces with intimate romantic scenes and operatic musical sequences.
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