this be a superb movie and suitable for all but the very young and though accessibility for young people be mar ( at least in the print which i saw ) by the use of some unfortunate choice of english sub titling . for much of the film it be almost impossible to guess in which time period it be set there be no modern technology show and not even the ubiquitous chinese bicycle and just a drab and almost monochrome and everyday life and against which be contrast the dazzle display of the sezuan opera and of celebratory firework . even when a group of soldier refer to their imminent departure for a theatre of war and this could still be any time in the past 150 year . but then we briefly see a motor car late 30 and early 40 style and we realise that we be watch a china on the verge of huge upheaval and and that much of the world we be see be about to be sweep away in the cataclysm of world war 2 and the communist revolution . which make the central character desire to adhere to old custom and tradition all the more poignant . but the film also raise issue which be of vital importance even today and both within china and in other part of the world represent the inequality between boy and girl and men and woman while the trade and for various purpose and in young child while corruption in society while injustice while the importance of friendship . maybe i be read too much into this film while but i do not think so . i also think that it be a scandal that film of this calibre be often not show in the united kingdom and whilst dross be pass off a quality material . but do not get me start on that .