Backdrop preview To Marry a Ghost backdrop
To Marry a Ghost

To Marry a Ghost (1966)

Revolutionary youth Xie Jian Ming is killed by corrupt officials near the lighthouse, leading to rumors of his ghost haunting the town. Ming’s fiancée, He Mingzhu, hides his death from his mother. When Ming’s “ghost” appears, Zhu vows to marry him, holding a midnight wedding to fulfill his mother’s wish. Suspecting Ming is alive, the Police Chief arrests Zhu and Ming’s mother. Ming’s friend, Law Sagull, rescues Zhu, convincing her to join the underground movement. They disguise themselves to help Ming’s mother escape, but Ming fails to free her. Later, Ming appears at a celebration to perform, as the underground group surrounds the officials. Ming confronts and kills the Police Chief, revealing he survived and that another comrade was tortured in his place. Reunited, Ming and Zhu join the revolutionary cause.

Directed by Chan Wan

Cast

View All

Crew

Director
  • Chan Wan

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to review this movie!
Sign in to leave a review.

Thematic Analysis

This Romance/Fantasy/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. To Marry a Ghost presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Chan Wan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1966, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of To Marry a Ghost took approximately 12 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
  • The musical score contains over 75 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 1966, when this film was released:
  • The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
  • Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

While To Marry a Ghost shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Mortal Kombat, which focuses more on action than character development, To Marry a Ghost subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Thir13en Ghosts and Scrooged explore similar territory, To Marry a Ghost stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: October 12, 1966

Similar Movies

Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat
1995
5.9
Scrooged
Scrooged
1988
6.8
They
They
1993
7.4