May 12, 2006
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
A documentary musical about the rise and fall of Madam Mao's colorful propaganda opera's during the 1965-1975 Cultural Revolution in China and their renewed popularity in modern day China.These 8 Revo... read more 
DVD Release Date: April 10, 2007
Stats: 14 reviews
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Critic Reviews
April 13, 2006
Derek Elley, Variety
Too often ... the film remains a hostage to its ambitious construction rather than simply using the opportunity to draw back the veil on a little-documented era. Full Review
April 12, 2006
Richard James Havis, Hollywood Reporter
It's a worthy subject, but its credibility is damaged by some banal fabrications.
March 29, 2006
Manohla Dargis, New York Times
The director Yan-Ting Yuen revisits China's recent past to explore the history and legacy of one of the strangest byproducts of totalitarian madness: the revolutionary spectacular.
March 29, 2006
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Entertaining and informative, but it suffers from distracting voice-overs of what are supposed to be Madame Mao's thoughts. Too bad.
March 1, 2007
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Vividly depicts the power and influence of "escapist" entertainment. Full Review
June 4, 2006
Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat
The result often feels disorganized or confusing...but the basic material is fascinating.
June 2, 2006
Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
Comes to some obvious conclusions, but for the most part is pretty fascinating. Full Review
June 2, 2006
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Yan opens a window on the past that Westerners in particular will find almost too bizarre for words, yet which never degenerates to the level of outright mockery. Full Review
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