Home Page | Alphabetic Index | Ratings Index | Web Resources

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
Throughout the length and breadth of China civil war rages. In Shanghai never-ending streams of refugees wend their way among the gunfire, shells and anarchy of a war-torn city. In the midst of this chaos an upper-class Western lady welcomes well-dressed guests into her home, for tonight is the marriage of Dr. Robert Strike (Gavin Gordon). His bride, a childhood sweetheart, Megan Davis (Barbara Stanwyck) is just arriving from the States - they haven't seen each other for three years. As she travels through the crowds, directly from the ship, her rickshaw-boy is run over and killed. The disinterest of the car owner, and all around her, repels her intensely - but, of course, life is the cheapest commodity in such times.

Robert turns up late, from helping refugees, and announces that he'll have to postpone the wedding - he must rescue some children from an orphanage immediately. Megan decides to go with him, briefly stopping at the residence of General Yen (Nils Asther) on the way to collect a note of safe passage which only he can supply. The rattle of gunfire is loud and continuous as they attempt to rescue the children (whom Yen has no regard for - they have no ancestors). Luckily they make it, as people are shot down all around them. However, on the way back, Megan becomes separated as she is knocked down in an ocean of angry faces. Later she wakes up on a train - General Yen had rescued her and put her aboard his troop train. Soon they arrive at his Summer Palace, from which he rules his province.

General Yen seems to be a cultured, intelligent and charming gentleman to Megan. However, he is also ruthless and demanding - prisoners are shot by firing squad near Megan's window. She detests him for this behaviour, failing to understand his character in her naivety, and demands to be returned to Shanghai. Rather than rising to her bait, her anger and strength act to amuse and attract the General. Against his American advisor's advice he decides to keep Megan and try to win her affection, somehow turning her fervent missionary beliefs. Around them the war mingles with court politics as the General battles to retain control of his province, although this seems as nothing compared to winning Megan. Events conspire to show Megan just how little she understands about the people came to help, drawing her closer to Yen.

Compared to the most famous Frank Capra films this is refreshingly free of sickly sentimentality, instead building a poignant and moody atmosphere. The strange attraction between Yen and Megan is delicately portrayed, with only small tell-tale signs and brief dream sequences to show us how they feel. The acting of the lead characters is superb - Asther makes an exotic and honourable Chinese warlord while Stanwyck perfectly mixes innocence with strength. Although some may feel that this film is antiquated (being over sixty years old) the ambience generated is both engrossing and moving - your emotions may be manipulated but there is none of the heavy-hand of some modern directors. Watch the story and be entranced.

Home Page | Alphabetic Index | Ratings Index | Web Resources