Shanghai Triad

1995, Crime/Drama, 1h 48m

31 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Well-acted and beautifully filmed, Shanghai Triad deftly depicts a young man's coming of age against the backdrop of mob violence and its punishing legacy. Read critic reviews

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Shanghai Triad Photos

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Movie Info

When teenager Shuisheng (Wang Xiaoxiao Cuihua) arrives to Shanghai from the country, he is brought by his uncle (Li Xuejian) to work for gang leader Tang (Baotian Li). Tang assigns Shuisheng to aid his girlfriend Xiao Jinbao (Gong Li), a nightclub singer. After a rival gang kills some of Tang's men, he takes Shuisheng and Jinbao to an island hideout. Here Jinbao forms a friendship with peasant Cuihau (Jiang Baoying), while Tang attempts to determine if there are traitors in his ranks.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Crime, Drama
  • Original Language:
    Chinese
  • Director:
    Yimou Zhang
  • Producer:
    Yves Marmion, Jean-Louis Piel, Yigong Wu
  • Writer:
    Bi Feiyu, Li Xiao
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $2.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures Classics
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Gong Li
Xiao Jingbao
Baotian Li
Tang
Li Xuejian
Liu
Chun Sun
Song
Wang Xiaoxiao Cuihua
Shuisheng
Jiang Baoying
Cuihua
Yimou Zhang
Director
Bi Feiyu
Screenwriter
Li Xiao
Screenwriter
Yves Marmion
Producer
Jean-Louis Piel
Producer
Yigong Wu
Producer
Yongde Zhu
Executive Producer
Wang Wei
Executive Producer
Zhang Guangtian
Music
Juiping Cao
Production Design
Huamiao Tong
Costume Design
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Shanghai Triad

Zhang Yimou’s 10 Best Movies
"Crash" Producer’s Magic Turns "Illusionist" Into Gold
Zhang Yimou to Enlist 20,000 Soldiers for His Next Epic
View All

Critic Reviews for Shanghai Triad

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (3)
Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Steve Davis Austin Chronicle Full Review… Mike Clark USA Today Full Review… Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Full Review… Wilson Kwong VCinema Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Full Review… Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Full Review… Louis Proyect Counterpunch.org Full Review… Tom Meek Cambridge Day
View All Critic Reviews (31)

Audience Reviews for Shanghai Triad

  • Jul 19, 2022
    The tragedy of the ending is hurt by the meandering narrative that precedes it (I do like the nightclub scenes but I think they should have added a lot more character focused material to balance this out) which is a shame because the cinematography and set/costume designs are exquisite.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 28, 2012
    Another great effort by Zhang Yimou. The greatest Asian mob movie that I have seen thus far. Very entertaining.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 11, 2008
    Good movie, ending is horrible (as in, it's a horrible story - not bad). I don't generally watch mob movies, and I tend to associate that genre as Italian (probably incorrectly - so sue me, it's not a type of movie I generally seek out), so this Chinese movie set in the past was something different to me. The settings are beautiful as is the lead actress. Different to see through the eyes of a poor young boy sent to work for them. Felt so sorry for him, especially on that horrible ending. Poor kid.
    Nicki M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 15, 2008
    A gangster flick in the eastern tradition,Yimou is not ashamed to produce vivid landscapes and some morbid ones in the first part.It's a mid-90's Yimou,compared to the heartless Hero and Curse of the Golden Flower,this one possesses a terrific strength/narration recent gangster flicks (in general) will never have.
    Dimitris S Super Reviewer
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