Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch

Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch, also known as Last Eunuch in China (Chinese: 中國最後一個太監) is a 1988 Hong Kong historical drama film directed by Jacob Cheung in his directorial debut and starring Max Mok in the title role of Liu Lai-shi. The film is based on Ni Kuang's novel about eunuch Sun Yaoting.

Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch
Film poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	中國最後一個太監
Simplified Chinese	中国最后一个太监
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōngguó Zuìhòu Yīge Tàijiān Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Zung1 Gwok3 Zeoi3 Hau6 Jat1 Go3 Taai3 Gaam3
Directed by	Jacob Cheung
Screenplay by	Eddie Fong
Story by	Ni Kuang Jacon Cheung Eddie Fong Chan Wai
Produced by	Sammo Hung
Starring	Max Mok Irene Wan Sammo Hung Andy Lau Wu Ma Lam Ching-ying
Cinematography	Tom Lau
Edited by	Peter Cheung
Music by	Joseph Chan Sherman Chow
Production companies	Bo Ho Films Paragon Films
Distributed by	Golden Harvest
Release date	4 March 1988 (1988-03-04)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Cantonese
Box office	HK$15,624,171

Plot

During the chaos of the late Qing Dynasty, Liu Lai-shi (Max Mok) envies the glory of his fellow townsman and eunuch Siu-tak-cheung and asks his parents for purification. Soon, the Qing dynasty collapses, Liu failed to become an imperial eunuch and was sent to Beijing to study opera. Subsequently, he meets his childhood friend Chiu Tai (Irene Wan). Liu intends to lead a normal family life, but unable to do so after his identity of a eunuch was exposed. The opera troupe leader (Sammo Hung) sympathizes Liu's life experiences and tried to arrange him to the palace to be China's last eunuch. In 1924, Xuantong Emperor was expelled from the Forbidden City and Liu also began his wandering career.

Cast

• Max Mok as Liu Lai-shi, the main protagonist, China's last eunuch
• Irene Wan as Chiu Tai, Liu Lai-shi's childhood friend
• Sammo Hung as Liu Lai-shi's teacher, the opera troupe leader
• Andy Lau as Han Ming, Chiu Tai's husband and a revolutionary
• Wu Ma as Lord Ting, the head eunuch
• Lam Ching-ying as Liu Chang-fu, Liu Lai-shi's father
• Gua Ah-leh as Liu Lai-shi's mother
• Pauline Wong as Sister Hung, a prostitute
• Manfred Wong as Eunuch Lee
• Peter Mak
• Alfred Cheung as the district chief
• Anthony Chan as a Japanese interpreter
• James Tien as General Lei
• Sit Hon as Lord Chao
• Sihung Lung as Fu's landlord
• Ng Min-kan, Yuen Miu, Chow Kam-kong and Pang Yun-cheung as opera troupe members
• Lee Chi-kit as a Japanese soldier
• Vincent Chiao as Adjutant

Theme song

• Misconception (錯覺)
  • Composer: Joseph Koo
  • Lyricist: Cheng Kwok-kong
  • Singer: Andy Lau

Box office

The film grossed HK$15,624,171 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 4 March to 31 March 1988 in Hong Kong.

Accolades

Accolades
Ceremony	Category	Recipient	Outcome
8th Hong Kong Film Awards	Best Director	Jacob Cheung	Nominated
	Best Actor	Max Mok	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor	Wu Ma	Nominated
24th Golden Horse Awards	Best Actor	Max Mok	Nominated

External links

• Last Eunuch in China at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
• Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine at Hong Kong Cinemagic
• Zhong Guo zui hou yi ge tai jian at IMDb