Hsiao Hsiang portrays a scholar, Wei Bizheng, who has the hots for Huo Dingjin (ultra-lovely Li Ching), the daughter of an aristocratic father and stepmother. Wei Bizhang, under a pseudonym (he adapts a 'Huo' to it), works for the family and he tries to earn the hand of Dingjin in marriage. Wei Bizhang heads to the capital to take an exam and he plans on marrying Dingjin when he returns. Wei Bizhang and Dingjin share a pair of pearl phoenix hairpins as a token of love. Just when it seems that Wei Bizhang and Dingjin may live happily ever after, Dingjin is betrothed to the son of the Zhou family. Dingjin's father (Yang Chih Ching), and semi-wicked stepmother, claim that Dingjin has two choices: marry into the Zhou family or commit suicide!

Not wanting to choose either option, Dingjin and a maiden disguise themselves as men, they burn down her domicile (to leave the illusion that Dingjin and her maiden are killed in the fire), and they head to the capital. Under the pseudonym, Huo Bizhang, Dingjin reaches the capital and she works and she earns the rank of inspector general from the government (under the disguise of a man). However, Dingjin's parents do not find two bodies after the fire dies down and Dingjin's mother has bribed an imperial official into capturing Wei Bizhang and having him poisoned! Can Dingjin get to Wei Bizhang before it's too late?

'The Pearl Phoenix' may be a less popular film version of a Huangmei Opera, but it's still a quintessential film in the genre. It may feel too formulaic, but I thought it managed to please. I just got it because I'm a Li Ching fanboy and 'The Pearl Phoenix' delivered what I wanted: Li Ching, Li Ching portraying a woman, and Li Ching portraying a woman in a "trouser role". The musical numbers are sound pretty good and the claustrophobic Shaw Brothers studio sets serve their purpose. There are a few scenes that look like locations, luckily. Also, the ninety-four minute running time helps this film feel breezy. The Celestial/Shaw/IVL DVD (that I sampled the film from) has been nicely restored and revitalizes the experience of viewing this film. 'The Pearl Phoenix' is quite good even though it seems to be a lesser film adaptation of a Huangmei opera. I enjoyed it and some other viewers may enjoy it as well.