The Bitter Tea of General Yen

"They found a love they dared not touch!"

Jan 6 1933 Approved 1h 28m
Drama, Romance, War

An American missionary is gradually seduced by a courtly warlord holding her in Shanghai.

Plot

The American missionary Megan Davis arrives in Shanghai during the Chinese Civil War to marry the missionary Dr. Robert Strife. However, Robert postpones their wedding to rescue some orphans in an orphanage in Chapei section that is burning in the middle of a battlefield. While returning to Shanghai with the children, they are separated in the crowd, Megan is hit in the head and knocked out, but is saved by General Yen and brought by train to his palace. As the days go by, the General's mistress Mah-Li becomes close to Megan and when she is accused of betrayal for giving classified information to the enemies, Megan asks for her life. The cruel General Yen falls in love for the naive and pure Megan and accepts her request to spare the life of Mah-Li against the will of his financial advisor Jones. Meanwhile Megan feels attracted by the powerful and gentle General Yen, but resists to his flirtation. When Mah-Li betrays General Yen and destroys his empire, Megan realizes that to be able to do good works, one has to have wisdom and decides to stay with him while the General drinks his bitter last tea.

Written by

Grace Zaring Stone, Edward E. Paramore Jr.

Directed by

Frank Capra

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

1 win

Scores
# of Votes
4,549
Average Rating
6.9 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA