Shanghai Blues

Shanghai Blues

1984 · 103 min · ★ 7.0 · Comedy, Romance

In 1937 Shanghai, a soldier and a young woman have an awkward meet-cute in darkness under a bridge as they seek refuge during a bomb raid. Ten years later, the soldier, now a burgeoning songwriter and tuba-player in a marching band, is back in town desperately searching for his would-be soulmate. As fate would have it they end up living in the same building unbeknownst to each other. Through a series of mishaps, he mistakes her new ingénue roommate for his love interest and wacky love triangle hijinks ensue.

Directed by Tsui Hark · Written by Raymond To Kwok-Wai

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

MUBI

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

3h 18m together

Shanghai Blues

A Better Tomorrow

Both from Tsui Hark.

More from Tsui HarkSee all →

Celebrity Talk ShowCelebrity Talk Show · 1989
Celebrity Talk Show
9.51989
SeriesTalk
The KillerThe Killer · 1989
The Killer
7.61989
MovieActionCrime
Mob assassin Jeffrey is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman to make things right.
A Better TomorrowA Better Tomorrow · 1986
A Better Tomorrow
7.41986
MovieActionCrime
A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.
A Chinese Ghost StoryA Chinese Ghost Story · 1987
A Chinese Ghost Story
7.31987
MovieFantasyAction
A naïve young tax collector for the imperial government winds up spending the night in a haunted temple. There he falls in love with a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, is dead. With the aid of a powerful Daoist Swordsman, he must defeat undead hordes, overcome a sinister Tree Demoness, and descend to the pits of hell, to fight for the spirit he loves.
New Dragon Gate InnNew Dragon Gate Inn · 1992
New Dragon Gate Inn
7.31992
MovieActionThriller
During the Ming Dynasty, power-crazed eunuch Tso Siu Yan rules his desert region of China as if he were Emperor, ruthlessly thwarts plots against him and sets a trap for one of his enemies at the Dragon Gate Inn.
Once Upon a Time in China IIOnce Upon a Time in China II · 1992
Once Upon a Time in China II
7.21992
MovieActionComedy
Wong Fei-Hung faces the White Lotus Society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat Sen from the military.
Legends of the Condor Heroes: The GallantsLegends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants · 2025
Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants
7.12025
MovieActionDrama
Under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian army pushes west to destroy the Jin Dynasty, setting its sights on the Song Dynasty next. Amid internal conflicts among martial arts schools, Guo Jing unites the Central Plains' warriors to defend Xiangyang, embodying courage and loyalty in the fight for the nation.
A Better Tomorrow IIA Better Tomorrow II · 1987
A Better Tomorrow II
7.11987
MovieActionCrime
A restauranteur teams up with a police officer and his ex-con brother to avenge the death of a friend's daughter.
The BladeThe Blade · 1995
The Blade
7.11995
MovieAction
Adopted by a renowned swordsmith, a young man discovers that his biological father was killed by a powerful bandit called Lung. Leaving to seek revenge, he runs afoul of vicious desert scum, losing his right arm in the process. After being nursed back to health, he learns to compensate for his loss and returns to confront Lung.
Once Upon a Time in ChinaOnce Upon a Time in China · 1991
Once Upon a Time in China
7.11991
MovieActionDrama
In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?
SwordsmanSwordsman · 1990
Swordsman
7.01990
MovieActionAdventure
A kung-fu manual known as the Sacred Scroll is stolen from the Emperor's library. An army detachment is sent to recover it. Meanwhile, a young swordsman and his fellow disciple are accidentally drawn into the chaos.
Twin DragonsTwin Dragons · 1992
Twin Dragons
6.91992
MovieActionComedy
Identical twins are separated at birth, one becoming a streetwise mechanic, and the other an acclaimed classical concert conductor. Finally meeting in adulthood, they're mistaken for the other and entangled in each other's worlds.
A Chinese Ghost Story IIA Chinese Ghost Story II · 1990
A Chinese Ghost Story II
6.81990
MovieFantasyAction
After escaping false imprisonment, Ling Choi-San crosses paths with a pair of rebellious women. Though mourning the loss of his ghostly love, his broken heart must heal in a hurry in order to face a new series of paranormal encounters and adventures.
The Legend of the SwordsmanThe Legend of the Swordsman · 1992
The Legend of the Swordsman
6.61992
MovieActionFantasy
Ling Wu Chung decides to hide from the chaotic world. Before leaving, he visits his friends, a tribe of snake-wielding women warriors. However, he finds that the tribe have been attacked, and their leader Yam Ying Ying has been abducted.
The MermaidThe Mermaid · 2016
The Mermaid
6.62016
MovieComedyFantasy
When Xuan's real estate project threatens the home of mermaids, Shan is sent to stop him. When they fall in love, he is encouraged to cancel the project. However, he must save them from bigger danger.
The Chinese FeastThe Chinese Feast · 1995
The Chinese Feast
6.61995
MovieComedyRomance
Within a few years, petty crook Chiu rises to gang leader. But his professional ambitions are actually quite different: he wants to leave illegality behind and make a career for himself and his lover in Canada... as a chef. However, this craft must first be learned and Chiu's talent in the field of cooking leaves much to be desired.

More Like This

Suzhou RiverSuzhou River · 2000
Suzhou River
7.32000
MovieDramaRomance
After getting out of prison, small-time crook Mardar stumbles upon a woman who looks exactly like his long-lost lover, who he attempted to kidnap 3 years ago.
19411941 · 1979
1941
5.81979
MovieComedyWar
In the days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, panic grips California, where a military officer leads a mob chasing a Japanese sub.
Intolerable CrueltyIntolerable Cruelty · 2003
Intolerable Cruelty
6.02003
MovieComedyRomance
A revenge-seeking gold digger marries a womanizing Beverly Hills lawyer with the intention of making a killing in the divorce.
HarveyHarvey · 1950
Harvey
7.71950
MovieComedyFantasy
The story of Elwood P. Dowd who makes friends with a spirit taking the form of a human-sized rabbit named Harvey that only he sees (and a few privileged others on occasion also.) After his sister tries to commit him to a mental institution, a comedy of errors ensues. Elwood and Harvey become the catalysts for a family mending its wounds and for romance blossoming in unexpected places.
The Hudsucker ProxyThe Hudsucker Proxy · 1994
The Hudsucker Proxy
7.11994
MovieComedyDrama
A naive business graduate is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam.
A League of Their OwnA League of Their Own · 1992
A League of Their Own
7.21992
MovieComedyDrama
As America's stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey. Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit Keller spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan on their way to fame.
High SocietyHigh Society · 1956
High Society
6.81956
MovieMusicComedy
With socialite Tracy Lord about to remarry, her ex-husband - with the help of a sympathetic reporter - has 48 hours to convince her that she really still loves him.
From Here to EternityFrom Here to Eternity · 1953
From Here to Eternity
7.31953
MovieWarRomance
In 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his captain's wife and second in command are falling in love.
Suite FrançaiseSuite Française · 2015
Suite Française
7.22015
MovieDramaRomance
France, 1940. In the first days of occupation, beautiful Lucile Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they both await news of her husband: a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, soon followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers' own homes. Lucile initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the handsome and refined German officer staying with them. But soon, a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.
Mrs. Henderson PresentsMrs. Henderson Presents · 2005
Mrs. Henderson Presents
6.72005
MovieComedyDrama
Recently widowed well-to-do Laura Henderson purchases the Windmill Theatre in London as a post-widowhood hobby. After starting an innovative continuous variety review, which is copied by other theaters, they begin to lose money. Mrs Henderson suggests they add risqué burlesque acts similar to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
The Little World of Don CamilloThe Little World of Don Camillo · 1952
The Little World of Don Camillo
7.61952
MovieComedy
In a village of the Po valley where the earth is hard and life miserly, the priest and the communist mayor are always fighting to be the head of the community. If in secret, they admired and liked each other, politics still divided them as it is dividing the country. And when the mayor wants his "People's House"; the priest wants his "Garden City" for the poor. Division exist between the richest and the poorest, the pious and the atheists and even between lovers. But if the people are hard as the country, they are good in the bottom of there heart.
The Man Who Knew Too LittleThe Man Who Knew Too Little · 1997
The Man Who Knew Too Little
6.41997
MovieComedyCrime
An American gets a ticket for an audience participation game in London, then gets involved in a case of mistaken identity. As an international plot unravels around him, he thinks it's all part of the act.
Dead Men Don't Wear PlaidDead Men Don't Wear Plaid · 1982
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
6.61982
MovieComedyMystery
Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie SocietyThe Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society · 2018
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
7.42018
MovieRomanceDrama
Free-spirited writer Juliet Ashton forms a life-changing bond with the delightful and eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, when she decides to write about the book club they formed during the occupation of Guernsey in WWII.
Kung Fu HustleKung Fu Hustle · 2004
Kung Fu Hustle
7.52004
MovieActionComedy
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron BurgundyAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy · 2004
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
6.72004
MovieComedy
It's the 1970s and San Diego anchorman Ron Burgundy is the top dog in local TV, but that's all about to change when ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone arrives as a new employee at his station.
Bell, Book and CandleBell, Book and Candle · 1958
Bell, Book and Candle
6.61958
MovieComedyFantasy
Gillian Holroyd, a modern-day witch, becomes smitten with her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shep Henderson. Using her magical powers, she casts a love spell on him, only to face unexpected complications when genuine feelings emerge, threatening her supernatural abilities.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter