once in a while and a film come along that raise the bar for every other film in it genre . a film of this caliber will influence many film follow it release for year to come . ` a chinese ghost story fall in this category . it be arguably one of the best horror film make during the 1980 while possibly one of the best ever make . the filmmaker have craft a movie that appeal to every horror fan . the story be engross and original . the villain be appropriately menace and frighten . the set be creepy and atmospheric . there be even a little blood and gore to satisfy the splatter fan of the house . but do not let the ` horror label scare you off and if youre not a fan of the genre . this film easily fit into many different category . the screenwriter have deftly blend the drama and comedy and horror and kung fu and and romance genre into a delicious deluxe cinematic pizza . ` a chinese ghost story be a beautiful epic love story tell and thankfully and without the gratuitous nudity and or or explicit sex scene that have ruin many hollywood ` love story . those put off by the romantic element of the story can sit back and revel in the fast pace swordplay and ` wire fu . if that not enough and actor leslie cheung and wu ma provide enough humorous situation to satiate your appetite for comedy . this film offer something for every film fan . director siu tung ching and producer tsui hark assemble a truly amazing cast for this film . leslie cheung prove that he be not only a gifted actor and but also a talented singer and a charming physical comedian . i can not possibly think of a performer other than cheung who could have portray ling choi sin well ( except maybe chow yun fat ) . joey wang be enchant a lit su see and the enslaved spirit who steal the heart of cheung character . her portrayal of the title character be truly haunting and memorable . wu ma be hilarious a the cantankerous taoist who aid the young lover . on technical level and this film be very impressive and even by today standard . the direction be superb . i wish that today hollywood executive would seek out talented artist like siu tung ching rather fall back on the usual mtv video or pepsi commercial ` director . the cinematography be gorgeous . you have to commend any cinematographer who can make a film look good when most of it pivotal scene take place in the dead of night . the special effect make up be top notch . in fact and most of the creature effect in this film blow away the shoddy cgi ghoul and goblin that have become commonplace in modern horror film . since it release and a chinese ghost story have spawn two worthy sequel and a full length animate movie and and countless imitation . none of the film that follow it or copy it be able to capture the magic of this classic and however . this film be require view for any horror fan or just anyone look for great way to spend 95 minute of your time . 10 out 10 .