The Great Red Robe

Adapted from the Cantonese opera The Impeachment of Yan Song, the film is about Hai Rui (Yam Kim-fai) accusing corrupt Prime Minister Yan Song (Lan Chi Pak) of ten major crimes. Using close-up shots, Wong magnified the righteousness expressed by Yam's eyes and the stateliness of Lan as expressed by his beard, against the gongs and drums, made for a tightly-knit adventure. Wong proved editing is a key element in film language by editing the Yam and Lan's one-on-one debate scene in a clean, fast-paced flow to reach the heartpounding climax. Although the existing cut is an incomplete 56 minutes version, most climatic scenes survive and the film has been restored, giving audiences a view of this real gem in Cantonese opera cinema.