The World of Suzie Wong | 
| Director: Richard Quine
Actors: William Holden, Nancy Kwan, Sylvia Syms, Michael Wilding, Jacqui Chan
Studio: Paramount
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.99
You Save: $6.99 (47%)
New (37) Used (15) from $6.85
Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 2346
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 066084
ISBN: 0792198697
UPC: 097360660845
EAN: 9780792198697
ASIN: B0001ZWLTM
Theatrical Release Date: 1960
Release Date: June 29, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Amazon.com
A prim young Chinese woman on the Kowloon ferry accuses a middle-aged American of stealing her purse--thus begins a culture-clash romance. Seeking to escape his stifled life, Robert (William Holden, Stalag 17, Sunset Boulevard) has come to Hong Kong to become an artist. He rediscovers the girl from the ferry and learns she is not what she seemed; she's a prostitute named Suzie Wong (Nancy Kwan, Flower Drum Song). Though Robert resists her charms, she becomes his model, and their relationship grows surprisingly complex. While The World of Suzie Wong can be patronizing and has some dubious interpretations of Chinese manners and mores, it's also sophisticated (in a censored sort of way) about love, sex, and social pressure. A viewer may scoff at the child-like hookers, yet find the movie accumulates an unexpected emotional force, particularly through its exploration of how the characters maintain their illusions. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 42 more reviews...
 A True Human Expeience July 2, 2004
Michael C. Smith (San Francisco, CA United States)
44 out of 48 found this review helpful
'The World Of Suzie Wong' the romanticized story of a Hong Kong prostitute and an American artist is for some, a simplistic racist view of Chinese, for others, a guilty pleasure. Yes, it is both of those things but it is even more. It is a fine and tender love story of two people from very different worlds who overcome pride and prejudice and embark upon a true human experience. Forty four years after its release this film along with 'Flower Drum Song' are being re-evaluated and embraced by the Chinese American community. Why? Because beneath the surface of each film they share the common job of telling the story of their time and place with honesty and true humanity and in the case of Suzie Wong, the story is not such a happy one.
At first we are presented in `Suzie Wong' a stereotypical view of happy little hookers in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong. But as the story unfolds the veneer of this portrait cracks open to reveal through Suzie just how desperate the lives of these women are. In a city of over three million crammed onto the island city it is a case of do what you must to survive. In Suzie's case she must compartmentalize her feeling into body, love, and soul and thus protect herself by pretending that she is the daughter of a rich merchant rather than a Wan Chai bargirl. Though her relationship with Robert they both learn the meaning and cost of love in a world of narrow view and prejudice.
The film is very adult and honest in dealing with the subject of the flesh trade and racism in 1960 must have been a bit shocking on several levels. This film must be credited with opening the door to telling more honest stories of Asian's with Asian actors in the major roles. After all, not too many years before we had Jennifer Jones playing a Eurasian in 'Love Is A Many Splendored Thing'. She did a fine job, but still she was miscast. Here we have Nancy Kwan creating a memorable character, as it should be, by someone of Asian descent.
Nancy Kwan is luminous in the role of Suzie. This was a star making turn for her and led to other good roles over the years. She is sexy, with a street-smart veneer that covers her open and trusting heart. She rises to the many emotional challenges of Suzie and succeeds in carrying the viewer through the film as only an accomplished actress can. The camera falls in love with her, as does the reluctant Robert.
William Holden is perfectly cast as the "pushing forty" American who has come to Hong Kong to pursue his dream of being an artist. He is a pro who give the role just the feeling of wonder and discovery it needs blended with a certain worldliness that it requires. Together, Kwan and Holden are an intoxicatingly romantic couple that share a chemistry on screen most films of this genre aspire to but few achieve.
The supporting cast is filled out by standouts such as Jacqui Chan as Gwennie Lee, Andy Ho as Ah Tong, Michael Wilding as Ben Marlow and Sylvia Simms as Suzie's rival, Kay O'Neill.
Geoffrey Unsworth also known for his work on 'Becket', '2001 A Space Odyssey' and 'Cabaret' stunningly photographed Hong Kong for the film. His use of light and color is unsurpassed in capturing the long gone look of the city in 1960. The art direction of John Box is superb. He is best known for his work with David Lean on 'Doctor Zhivago' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
It is all expertly helmed by director Richard Quine who is also responsible for 'Bell, Book, and Candle', 'Strangers When We Meet' and the delightful 'How To Murder Your Wife'.
Of special note are the stunningly beautiful paintings of Miss Kwan by artist Liz Moore. They are indeed wonderful and one wishes there had been an addition to the DVD of slides of this artist's painting for the film.
'The World of Suzie Wong' is a film that holds both an important place in film history and the hearts film buffs and romantics around the globe. So on that rainy Saturday afternoon when you need a little romance, drama and travel to a far off land pop in this new DVD of 'Suzie Wong' and be carried away.
 One of my guilty pleasures April 3, 1999
Steve Duff (Seattle, WA USA)
18 out of 24 found this review helpful
This is one of many East meets West love stories of the period, and was the second for William Holden in Hong Kong (he'd previously starred in "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" with Jennifer Jones). In this movie, not only is the relationship East meets West, it is also May/December as Holden is much older than Nancy Kwan (her first film, according to Internet Movie Database). As it happens, Holden is a fine enough actor to make the romance fairly believable, though credulity is strained as there is another young woman chasing his affections, played by Sylvia Syms. Holden is less believable in the few action scenes. The basic plot is that William Holden is a restless American who leaves the rat race to become a painter in Hong Kong (or was he already a painter? I forget). He rents a room (complete with a great view terrace), in a Hong Kong brothel, and while searching for models, his attention is naturally drawn by the stunning Nancy Kwan, a local prostitute. Matters are complicated when he hangs around with the local British society, where his work draws the impassioned attention of blonde beauty Sylvia Syms, who happens to have clout in the art world and who instantly decides to champion his work. Of course, she finds the artist far more interesting than his art, and therein hangs a tale. What carries this movie is the radiant beauty of the two leading ladies -- both Nancy Kwan and Sylvia Syms are luminous. The tension between the two women is very convincing as they vie against each other for Holden's love. Indeed, one wishes it could have led to a catfight. Alas, this was not to be, but catfight fans will be pleased to know that Kwan does have a brief brawl with another Chinese prostitute. The Hong Kong background is lush and beautiful, and used to great effect. The story also has enough complexities and ethical challenges to sustain interest. Unfortunately, it is all too typical of the roles given to Asian actresses -- Nancy Kwan plays a prostitute with the proverbial heart of gold, and there is also the paternalistic condescencion taken for granted in those days, with Holden portrayed as the answer man and Nancy Kwan as the emotional woman he must get in line. Thus, the movie has a fairly large list of flaws. Despite this, it is a well-crafted entertainment with many good points to balance its defecits. No, there's nothing especially original here, but this type of story has been successful many times, as it was more recently with "Pretty Woman." Definitely worth watching.
Still Smiling and Sighing...After All These Years... January 20, 2005
L. Shirley (fountain valley, ca United States)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
From 1960, William Holden enters "The World Of Suzie Wong", and his world is forever changed. After 45 years, this film still has me smiling and sighing with each view.
After just a brief but emotional encounter on a Hong Kong ferry boat, Suzie Wong, played endearingly by Nancy Kwan, has left American traveler Robert Lomax(Holden), quite taken with her beauty and unique charms. He believes her to be the proper but spirited daughter of a rich man, and before he can get to know her she disappears off into the crowded streets. Robert, taking a year off from his career in architecture, wants to persue his love of painting. On a limited budget, he takes a room in a not so upscale part of town, and finds himself a resident of a hotel that caters to the servicemen and prostitutes that frequent the bar next door.
To his surprise (and perhaps delight), he discovers one of the working girls is none other then Suzie Wong. He hires her as his model, and she proceeds to turn his world upside down. What follows is a dramatic, but sweet and poignant story of culture clash, and wonderful romance, as Robert tries to reconcile his growing fondness for Suzie, with the morals and bigotry of the world he comes from.
Like Lomax, you will fall in love with the irresistible Suzie, and breathtaking Hong Kong. Suzie's pals Gwennie Lee(Jacqui Chan), Minnie Ho(Yvonne Shima), and Wednesday Lu(Lier Hwang), will also delight you and steal your heart with their own unique charms.
For a little over 2 hours you will be taken into "The World of Suzie Wong", and you may not want to come back! Well worth the price for this purchase(VHS only availbale from outside sellers at this time), as it will provide you with enjoyment even after repeated viewings. I highly recommend this film for the romantic of any gender... Forget the popcorn..enjoy with some nice tea and rice cakes...Laurie
Romantic, charming, humorous, interesting January 1, 1999
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Nancy Kwan is very beautiful and talented. William Holden shows a side of himself not usually seen, that is, betwixed, off-guard, yet enchanted by Ms. Kwans character. Her character teaches him what Chinese people hold valued although the movie is seen through a Westerner's eyes. The scenery is extremely captivating, as Hong Kong surely would not look this way again, so the moment in time is a treasure in itself. I watched this movie about 10 times over a month period because I loved the romantic story, the boy meets girl, loses girl formula, the snooty characters and of course William Holden for taking on such an unusual story.
They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore December 31, 2004
GL Fox (Georgia, USA)
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
I first saw this movie in 1968 when I was 11 years old and living on Okinawa. Though at that time, I didn't really care for the plot, I did think Nancy Kwan was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I am currently serving in Afghanistan and found this on DVD in the PX and purchased it. After viewing it, I still think she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. I also came to appreciate the story line. Though this movie would most likely be considered a "chick flick" by the younger soldiers I serve with, I consider it a great movie myself. I appreciate the movie not having gratuitous sex. That element itself is something I miss in the movies. A good movie doesn't have to show them having sex, it just fades the scene out slowly. Nancy Kwan demonstrated remarkable acting skills for someone in the first role. This movie was considered racist by many Asians because it displayed that poor Chinese girls were prostitutes and attracted to American and European men for a way out. What is racist about that? I actually think it demonstrates a keen business sense of sorts as American and European men in Hong Kong were wealthy in comparison to Chinese men. The movie demonstrated logic in this regards.
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