The Mirror and the Lichee (1967)
A sweeping Shaw Brothers Huangmei Opera romance starring Ivy Ling Po as a lovesick scholar whose tender courtship spirals into tragedy.
The Mirror and the Lichee - Movie Information
- Original Title: 新陳三五娘
- Release Year: 1967
- Directed by: Kao Li
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History, Romance, Music
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 9, 1967 (Hong Kong)
- Alternative Titles: Xin chen san wu niang (TW), 新陳三五娘 (HK)
- Production Companies: Shaw Brothers
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
The Mirror and the Lichee - Plot
Movie queen Ivy Ling Po is ideally cast as a male scholar in this historical Huangmei Opera romance. It's a tragic love story between the scholar and a local beauty (played by Fang Ying). He polishes mirrors as a pretext to get closer to his love, who signals her approval by tossing him a bunch of lichees. From that point on the course of true love proves operatically rocky, complete with murder and suicide.
The Mirror and the Lichee - Trailer
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The Mirror and the Lichee - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kao Li
Main Cast
- Ivy Ling Po
- Fang Ying
- Alison Chang Yen
- Lee Ying
- Ou-Yang Sha-Fei
- Lydia Shum Tin-Ha
- Pang Pang
- Lui Ming
- Wu Ma
- Tien Feng
Writers
- Chen Die-Yi
Producers
- Run Run Shaw
The Mirror and the Lichee - FAQs
Who plays the lead role in The Mirror and the Lichee?
Ivy Ling Po takes the lead, playing a male scholar in a classic example of cross-gender casting that she was celebrated for throughout her Shaw Brothers career. Fang Ying co-stars as the local beauty at the heart of the tragic romance. Their pairing gives the film much of its emotional power.
What is The Mirror and the Lichee about?
A young scholar disguises his courtship by posing as a mirror polisher to get closer to the woman he loves. She signals her affection by tossing him a bunch of lichees. What begins as a charming, tender romance gradually darkens into a story of jealousy, murder, and ultimately suicide — all delivered in the sweeping Huangmei Opera style.
What is Huangmei Opera and why does it matter here?
Huangmei Opera is a melodic Chinese folk opera tradition originating in Anhui province, known for its lyrical singing and romantic storytelling. Shaw Brothers popularized it in Hong Kong cinema during the 1960s. The Mirror and the Lichee is a prime example of the genre, blending sung dialogue, period costumes, and emotionally charged drama into a single operatic experience.
When was The Mirror and the Lichee released?
The Mirror and the Lichee had its theatrical release on November 9, 1967, in Hong Kong. It was produced by Shaw Brothers, the legendary Hong Kong studio that dominated Asian cinema throughout the 1960s and 1970s with a prolific output of genre films, including many beloved Huangmei Opera productions.
Why is Ivy Ling Po famous for cross-gender roles?
Ivy Ling Po became one of Shaw Brothers' biggest stars largely because of her uncanny ability to portray male scholars and heroes with total conviction. Her physicality, vocal presence, and expressive acting made audiences fully believe in her male characters. She won numerous awards for these roles and remains an icon of 1960s Hong Kong cinema.
Who directed The Mirror and the Lichee?
Kao Li directed the film. He was a prolific director within the Shaw Brothers studio system, well-versed in the conventions of Huangmei Opera cinema. His direction here keeps the focus on the emotional arc of the doomed romance, letting the operatic performances and period setting carry the story's tragic weight.
What are some similar films to The Mirror and the Lichee?
If you enjoy The Mirror and the Lichee, you might also appreciate Farinelli (1994), a European film exploring music and identity, Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) for its romantic longing and period drama, or Cesar and Rosalie (1972) for its emotional complexity. Emma (2017) and The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) share the witty romantic spirit.
How long is The Mirror and the Lichee?
The Mirror and the Lichee runs for 97 minutes, just over an hour and a half. That runtime gives the film enough room to develop its romance and build toward its tragic conclusion without overstaying its welcome — a well-paced length that suits the operatic storytelling style of Shaw Brothers productions from this era.
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