The Orphan of Zhao

In the Warring States period of ancient China, the cruel Prime Minister Tu'an Gu orders the massacre of the Zhao family. A loyal doctor, Cheng Ying, sacrifices his own son to save the infant heir, Zhao Wu. Cheng Ying then raises the boy in secret, enduring decades of Tu'an Gu's tyranny while plotting his eventual revenge.

The film received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its historical setting and dramatic themes, though some critics found its pacing and narrative elements to be uneven. It was noted for its faithfulness to the classic Yuan Dynasty play.

• Praised for its ambitious scope and dramatic retelling of a classic Chinese legend.
• Some found the film's narrative pacing to be a drawback.
• The performances, particularly of the older characters, were often highlighted as a strong point.

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The story of 'The Orphan of Zhao' is one of the earliest Chinese plays to be translated into European languages and has been adapted numerous times throughout history, including a famous French adaptation by Voltaire.