A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii -1987-1990-1991-... Jun 2026

The final exorcism of the giant centipede – a spectacular, gruesome stop-motion/puppet effect.

Here’s a content breakdown for the classic trilogy (also known as A Chinese Ghost Story ), directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark. These films blend martial arts, romance, horror, and comedy.

As Ling's spirit begins to fade, she must come to terms with her love for Chon and the life they shared. The film's conclusion is a poignant and bittersweet reflection on love, loss, and the transience of life. The movie's use of symbolism, imagery, and special effects creates a mesmerizing experience that ties together the trilogy's narrative threads. A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...

A direct sequel involving political corruption and a giant centipede demon. Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Joey Wong

By 1991, the formula was wearing thin. Instead of bringing back Leslie Cheung’s Ning, A Chinese Ghost Story III (released just one year after Part II) reboots the timeline. It is a prequel/remix. Joey Wong returns, but this time she plays a different ghost: Lotus (Sin-fa), the sister of the original Lit Sin-neoi. The final exorcism of the giant centipede –

Original Title: 倩女幽魂 II 人間道 (Sinnui yauman II: Chinkandō)

: Xiaoqian is enslaved by a malevolent Tree Demon with a massive, life-draining tongue. Ning enlists the gruff Taoist swordsman Yan Chixia (Wu Ma) to free her soul. As Ling's spirit begins to fade, she must

Part II sacrifices the claustrophobic intimacy of the Lan Ro Temple for epic, sprawling battle sequences. The Tree Demon is replaced by a giant, practical-effects centipede and a disembodied, flying "Heartthrob Devil" (a literal giant heart with veins). Michelle Reis joins the cast as another spectral swordfighter. While the film is visually dizzying and features some of the best wire-fu fights ever filmed (Ching Siu-tung at his peak), it suffers from sequel-itis: more ideas than runtime, and a plot that zigzags wildly. Yet, Jacky Cheung’s manic, hilarious Taoist and Leslie Cheung’s continued disbelief ("Why does this keep happening to me?") save the day. The ending is bittersweet: Ning saves the mortal Ching Fung, but she is not the ghost he loved. He walks away, still alone.

These films pre-date the CGI overload of the 2000s. The effects are purely practical: matte paintings, wires, fog machines, and foam latex monsters. The Tree Demon’s elongated tongue (a massive puppet) and the giant centipede in Part II are genuinely unsettling because they are real objects on screen.

The trilogy is currently available on various Criterion Channel collections and Blu-ray box sets. Search for "A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)" and prepare to be haunted.