An extremely talented filmmaker with immense creativity, Li Han-hsiang helmed most of Shaw Brothers' first batch of period films. After Diau Charn (1958) and The Kingdom and the Beauty (1959), Li transforms the "ghostess" in this Liaozhai Zhiyi short story into another enchanting, alluring beauty. Under the control of an old demon, Xiao Xian (Betty Loh Ti) goes to the Jin Hua Temple to take scholar Ning Caishen's life. After he rejects her attempts to seduce him, Xiao Xian grows admiration for Ning and saves his life by telling him to stay under the protection of demon hunter Yan Chixia (Yang Zhiqing). After learning about Xiao Xian's tragic past, Caishen decides to escort Xiao Xian's ashes back to her hometown. Dedicated to building right atmosphere throughout, Li, set designer Chan Ki-yui and cinematographer Ho Look-ying worked out creative lighting methods that make the characters appear like mirages, playing up the ghostly atmosphere.

© Licensed by Celestial Pictures Limited. All rights reserved.

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.