AllMovie

Set in a Chinese province in 1910, this romantic costume melodrama follows the struggle of a pair of star-crossed young lovers who must overcome the evil machinations of the local baron Lord Yao. Taohua is married to Yao. She is much younger than he and very unhappy until Man Tianhong, the handsome lead singer at the Wangshen Shadow Theater shows up at the palace to reclaim some of the theater's rare and valuable puppets that Yao claimed as repayment for Man's large gambling debts. When the direct approach fails, Man decides that seducing Taohua will be the best way to get the puppets back. Taohua has been lonely for many years and the seduction is a snap, but then Man finds that he truly loves the young beauty. When Yao finds out, the lovers must flee. Unfortunately, they are captured by Yao's thugs and an unforgettable tragedy ensues.