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List Price: $24.95 | | Label: Tai Seng
Salesrank: 41701
Released: March 16, 2004 |
| Our Price: $16.00 |
| Used Price: $13.90 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The fascinating life of the Soong Family (ChinaÆs equivent of the Kennedys) is chronicled in this lavish epic melodrama, with an all-star cast headed by Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu and Maggie Cheung. To see that China remains a dominant world force after the founding of the Republic by Dr. Sun Yai-sen, the patriotic Charlie Soong sends his three daughters to America for their education. The sistersÆ return to China marks the beginning of their tumultuous lives, as the country endures the Japanese invasion and the subsequent clash between the communists and the nationalists.
The Soong Sisters Reviews:
4* if you know the history, 3* if you don't. 
2009-01-16 - This film covers a period in Chinese history when an incredible amount was going on. If you're not familiar with key Chinese names and events in the first half of the 20th century, bone up first or you'll miss the impact of the Soongs' story. It would be extremely difficult for a single film--even a long one like this--to do justice to their lives while at the same time adequately portraying the intricately layered events they were caught up in. It bounces through events that cry out for greater depth. Maybe it would have been better to attempt bite sized portions and make three or four films from the fascinating material. Nevertheless, it's well worth seeing for the same reason one might scan the Reader's Digest version of Tolstoy's War and Peace. The acting is good in the somewhat formal Chinese style, there is great attention to historical detail in the sets and costumes and it's beautiful to look at. The only complaint I'd make is the subtitles are full of spelling and other errors.
Good Movie For Chinese History Buffs 
2008-06-30 - This is a good movie considering the span of time and the events that occurred from 1900's to post world war 2. Worth the 2.5 hours.
Money, power, Country! The 3 sisters and their destinies!
Recommended for viewing.
The Soong Sisters
2008-05-01 - There was a previous black and white documentary on the Soong Sisters and their brother, David, on television. I was particularly interested as I had met Soong Mei-ling (Mrs Chiang Kai-shek) when I was about ten, when she was in Britain in about 1942, trying to raise money for her husband's cause. I later met Soong Ch'ing-ling in a Buddhist Monastery on Lan Tau Island in 1958, and travelled with David Sung on a flight from Malaysia to Hong Kong in 1964.
Soong Mei-ling was a very attractive-looking youngish Chinese woman (from my recollection)and the film does justice to her. Soong Ch'ing-ling was early middle-aged when I met her, and the actor who played David Sung was also a good likeness, although Sung Tzu-wen was somewhat slimmer when I met him.
The film reviewed put the story of the family into a cohesive and interesting history of a remarkable family.
Slow moving, but lovely looking movie
2007-03-19 - Don't watch this movie for a history lesson. It is, however, a beautifully photographed, lyrical story of three of 20th century China's most fascinating women. Approach it on those terms and it's a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
The Soong Sisters
2007-01-30 - The audio and visual qualities are outstanding. The DVD casing is pristine. The production values of the film itself are superb. As to quality of content, that is for you to decide. I happen to love Maggie Cheung, but that is my problem. Michelle Yeoh and Vivian Wu turn in fine performances. You can trust my objectivity about those two more so than in the case of Maggie.
