I have the Tung Ah edition of this movie, so can't comment on the DVD also available by World Video. Hopefully, there is no mid-movie chapter pause in the World Video edition - a problem that has plagued their earlier releases. Due to the number of characters and complexity of the story, I must say that a few errors are possible if not likely. Please forgive me in those cases - I did my best!

SYNOPSIS:
Following the death of Emperor Hsien Feng, three regents were established to rule over the Ching Dynasty until the young emperor, Tung Chih, came of age. These regents were the Emperor's own brother, Prince Kung; The Mother Dowager, Tzu Hsi (or CiXi); and the first wife, Tzu An (CiXi and Tzu An were, I believe, the Dowagers of the West and East respectively).

The Dowagers ruled "from behind the curtain", a term that had a literal meaning, as the two ladies would sit behind a silk screen and "preside" over the Emperor's meetings with his officials. Thanks to her influence with Jung Lu, a garrison commander of the deceased Emperor's military (and her former fiancé), and the fact that her own father had served in the military, CiXi had good reason to feel secure in her position. But "officially" her son was the Emperor and ruler - which lead to the conflicts of interest around which the story revolves. As opposed to the Shaw film of the same title, which shows an older CiXi (Old Buddha), Empress Dowager (1989) takes a look at CiXi in her younger 'more girlish days', where we see her son, Emperor Tung Chih, on the throne (thus, this movie historically predates the 1975 Shaw effort). She and the Emperor vie for influence (with their eunuchs seemingly caught in the middle), and everybody spends time trying to outmaneuver everyone else. Also much considered in this story is the relationship between Emperor Tung Chih and his mistress, played exceptionally well by Gong Li (Raise a Red Lantern, Ju Dou). Their ill-fated relationship strikes many poignant notes as their story unravels.

I will come right out and say that the caste and set design of this movie are simply splendid!! Liu Xiaoqing (who plays the Empress) gives the ultimate portrayal of CiXi and is given lots of room to develop her character [Ms. Liu is a two-time winner of the Hundred Flowers Best Actress award, which will come as no surprise after viewing this movie]. Empress Dowager appears to have been partially shot on location (i.e. the Forbidden City) and contains many bright and scenic outdoor scenes. The difference between this movie and Empress Dowager '75 (which won a Best Art Direction) is not one of 'quality' however, so much as one of mood; the outdoor scenes in ED89 give a different air to the story, which was darker in tone in ED75, where all outdoor scenes are at night!).

HISTORICAL ASPECTS:
I felt that this story needed some more explaining, because though easily enjoyable without knowing all the details, it is even more enjoyable (and sensible) with some history. So please bear with me if you are not as interested in all the detail. I'll begin with a little background on the Lady herself, CiXi:

CiXi:
CiXi's rule spanned four emperors, beginning with her husband, Emperor Hsien Feng, continued with her own son, Tung Chih, and followed by two nephews. Though initially just a concubine (it was 2 years before the Emperor saw her), CiXi alone produced a son and hence an heir. She purportedly exerted a considerable influence on Hsien Feng and the court, and continued to rule as regent once her son took the throne (she also shared power with the Emperor's brother, Prince Kung, and Tzu An, the Emperor's wife). When her son Tung Chih died, she put her sister's son, Kuang Hsu ( Ti Lung's character in ED75), on the throne. Kuang Hsu would eventually be put into exile and be replace by another nephew, Pu Yi. Pu Yi was the "last emperor" and he's who we meet in Bertolucci's award winning 1987movie, staring John Lone. By the way, Liu Xiaoqing is reportedly cooling her heels behind bars for (cough-cough) tax-related reasons, but is practicing her English every day.

EUNUCHS:
This movie does a fantastic job of portraying the wily and not-to-be-trusted eunuchs who helped run the palace. There is an especial focus on the Dowager’s eunuch, the Elder An, who was more than just an errand boy. At one point we are led by the camera, past the quietly giggling ladies in waiting, into the Dowagers bedroom, where we see the skillful eunuch giving the Empress an ‘intensely’ sensual foot massage. The intimacy of the scene is revealing to say the least Because Elder An is always trying to snub the emperor (he believes himself quite protected by the Empress), the Emperor bides his time until eventually the eunuch makes a fatal error by leaving the palace grounds (he wants to visit Jiangnan in order to oversee the preparation of the Dowager’s birthday gift). Although he did so with the Dowager’s permission, he did not do so with the emperor’s. This fatal error on the eunuch’s part culminates in unguessable ways, as CiXi was one to play it very cool, especially when angered. If she acted like she forgave you, you were worried.

There is a similar scene in ED75, but the eunuch is only beaten - not killed – for leaving the palace grounds (which was punishable by death). I mention this only because it caused me to speculate on the possibility (?) that the episode occurred only once, but was well known and regarded enough to include as a carryover plot-line in both stories (remembering that ED75 and ED89 focus on two different emperors). There are a few striking similarities in both films that make me wonder if this has occurred. According to the commentary available in ED75, embellishing the Dowager’s story was a common practice (bits of mythology and legend tend to clump around figures of great historical magnitude anyway, right?). It may be an erroneous speculation, but it seemed worth mentioning.

GONG LI:
Gong Li is a major character in this film and plays Tung Chih's love interest. Their story is tragic and made all the more poignant by Li's portrayal of a star-struck and helpless member of the extended royal household. She and the emperor feel the heat but just can't get together without disaster striking. They both wind up in Flower Alley (a prostitution venue) and in so doing embrace their respective fates: He contracts venereal disease (then fatal), and she is taken there by force to serve as a prostitute. Here the film strikes a deep chord of sympathy for the plight of these two, while ironically suggesting that that disaster and misfortune oblige both high and the low alike - and that in fact, as people, our fortunes may in some respects be indissolubly bound.

EXTRAS:
The Tung Ah edition of this movie contains no bells and whistles other than the movie itself, which is presented with English subtitles, clear audio (Cantonese and Mandarin) and widescreen video.

CONCLUSION:
Empress Dowager is 'big' storytelling, and both ED75 and ED89 really deliver. CiXi was a very complex and compelling character and one need only view Empress Dowager (either version) to see that. She will most likely remain not only an important figure to the Chinese, but will gain increasing recognition as one of the most intriguing women in recent history.