79. The Bitter Tea Of General Yen (1933)

Directed By Frank Capra

Synopsis

Puritanical missionary girl comes to China to marry her childhood sweetheart. She is saved/kidnapped by General Yen, a dashing yet evil Chinese warlord. She falls in love with him against her better judgment. Yet after losing his money and province commits suicide while the girl is crying and kissing his hand.

Review

Most Frank Capra's films, with the exception of It's A Wonderful Life are not that seen today. This is a pity, particularly when it comes to films like this, a truly original and innovative work breaking all kinds of barriers.

The plot of interracial love, altough tame by today's standards, was a shocking thing at the time, as was the fact that in the end it is the woman who abandons everything for the Chinese man. The way in which this relationship is developed is equally fascinating, the dream sequence, which owes something to Murnau's Nosferatu, has Davies, the girl being attacked by a vampire like Chinese man, Yen, while being saved by a masked mystery man, who turns out to be Yen himself.

Also interesting is the way in which Davies goes from bigotry to an admiration of Chinese culture, even while in captivity. She starts the film calling Yen a "Yellow Swine" and ends it unsure if she can go back to her American lover. The majesty of Chinese culture is also present in the amazing sets made for the film. Of course this isn't racial bliss and Yen is played by a Swedish actor "Yellowed-Up".He is, fortunately, the only non-asian playing a Chinese man.

Even while Yen is a bit of an evil man, with summary executions of those who oppose him and a generally ruthless approach to human life he never comes across as despicable as his "Financial Advisor" a renegade American, in it only for himself. Even the renegade American redeems himself at the end, with a delicate comentary on the afterlife of Yen. A very interesting film which deserved to be watched. Buy it on Amazon UK or US.

Final Grade

9/10

Trivia


From WIkipedia:


In 2000, the film was chosen by British film critic Derek Malcolm as one of the hundred best films in The Century of Films.

A Propaganda film by Capra, Why We Fight from 1943: