To Live (MGM World Films) (1994) [DVD]

MGM's restoration of this classic is one of the finest things the company has ever done. Both this release and the one earlier in the decade did this epic tale justice. I highly recommend this DVD release not only for the high quality of the movie itself, but also for the excellent transfer.That said, Zhang Yimou's masterpiece is unquestionably 'Raise the Red Lantern' which was restored by MGM recently. The reason the film rates so low overall is only because of poor prior DVD transfers, which drags the score down. So if you choose to watch 'Raise the Red Lantern' MAKE SURE to see the MGM transfer of the film. In fact, just buy it. It will be a quality addition to your permanent collection as it is one of the finest films ever made.Now if MGM or Sony Pictures Classics could only get their hands on the rights to 'Ju Dou'...

Jiang Yi Mou crafted an amazing film in To Live. He followed the lives of a family from rich in 1940's to homeless because of gambling debts. Shadow puppet shows in many villages, the civil war, living in a Communist regime, and coping with serious daily problems (death of a young son, terrible medical facilities because of the Cultural Revolution) are depicted with a true eye and great sensibility. Gong Li was at her best. The main character was brilliant. A great movie.

Zhang Yimou's hands-down masterpiece, To Live, allows pretty-faced actress Gong Li to geniunely shine as the morally superior, plain-living wife of a morally slacking husband, played by You Ge, a study in careless self-indulgence turned into a utilitarian survivor by bad choices and circumstance.Dramatically and in terms of raw production, this film blows away all other Yimou work before and since. Patented Yimou-quality sweeping cinematography, expertly picked soundtrack, stunning acting performances, lively pace, utterly riveting, hypnotic plot, plus abundant humor, sadness, and insightful irony are all in cohesive force. If you were to watch this as your first movie, you would be in for a sad, never-ending disappointment from that day forward.This is very simply my favorite film of all time. It is a complete travesty and oversight that it is no longer available!

I only wish I could have gotten this film on DVD without paying an arm and a leg. This VHS version was a reasonable price and it is a good thing I have a VHS player or two around. Big Gong Li fan and I enjoyed this one much like many of her other works. Don't want to say to much or give away plot however I believe this one should be a "don't miss" for Gong Li fans.

Simply the best film from director Yimou Zhang and actress Gong Li.

fantastic movie, Gong Li is surpurb!!

This is one of the best movies you will ever watch. Told from the point of view of a family, To Live is really a history of China from the end of WWII to the Cultural Revolution. This film is brilliant.

To Live takes place mid century in China just after the second world war. The story line follows the Xu family and the hardships that befalls them up to the late 60s and early 70s.It illustrates to what lengths people had to adapt and convert to in order to survive under Communist rule (especially during the cultural revolution). Old friends and even family had to form divisive lines between themselves in order to save themselves from possible prosecution.The acting and the interactions of the three main protagonists Li Gong, You Ge and Deng Fei are masterful and stirring. To Live is as good a film representing this time period as any other. Definitely an epic on the same plateau as Farewell My Concubine

Zhang Yimou knows how to tell a story so well - he has such a personal way of making you feel so much for his characters.The father and mother are just outstanding, and the story of their children is simply amazing -- the daughter "Fengxia" is wonderfully portrayed. The people are all so sweet really.I highly recommend his movie because it tells the struggles of this family so well, you care about them and hope they survive all the changes happening around them.The acting is first rate, and gets a wonderful taste of China's recent history.SPOILERThe storytelling is so well done, and you care about the family so much; the tragic parts are extremely hard to watch.

La verdad, habia leido el libro y la pelicula me ha decepcionado ligeramente. Me ha resultado bastante lenta aunque fiel a la novela.