Ju Dou (1991): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Ju Dou is a 1991 romantic drama directed by Yimou Zhang and Fengliang Yang, starring Wei Li as Jinshan, husband, Baotian Li and Gong Li. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Directors
- Yimou Zhang and Fengliang Yang
- Original language
-
Chinese - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ju Dou About?
The premise of Ju Dou without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in a remote Chinese village, a newly wed woman endures the cruelty of her husband, the domineering owner of a silk‑dyeing workshop. Seeking escape, she begins a clandestine affair with her husband's nephew, which brings fleeting comfort. When she discovers she is pregnant, the secret threatens to unravel their fragile world.
Ju Dou Themes & Keywords
· 38 tags- 1920s
- patricide
- infidelity
- murder
- drowning
- accidental death
- fire
- adultery
- feudal society
- push cart
- sadism
- title spoken by character
+26 more Show fewer
- china
- bound and gagged
- slapped in the face
- nipples visible through clothing
- abusive husband
- sex with aunt in law
- illegal abortion
- aunt in law nephew in law sex
- cheating wife
- sex with nephew in law
- cuckolded fiance
- aunt in law seduces nephew in law
- infertile husband
- wife pregnant by lover
- voyeur
- wheelchair bound husband
- boy
- tragedy drama
- husband wife relationship
- extramarital affair
- unfaithfulness
- unhappy marriage
- older man younger woman marriage
- wife cheating on husband with his nephew
- dye
- domestic violence
Ju Dou Cast & Characters
Wei Li leads the cast as Jinshan, husband, with Baotian Li as Tianqing, Jinshan's nephew and Gong Li as Ju Dou, wife. Directed by Yimou Zhang and Fengliang Yang; 12 actors are credited in all.
-
Co-director Yimou Zhang - Co-director Fengliang Yang
- Wei Li as Jinshan, husband
- Baotian Li as Tianqing, Jinshan's nephew
- Gong Li as Ju Dou, wife
- Zhang Yi as Tianbai, Ju Dou and Tianqing's son(child)
Also Starring in Ju Dou
· 8 more- Ji-an Zheng Tianbai, Ju Dou and Tianqing's son(teenager)
- Jia Jin
- Ma Chong
- Zhijun Cong
- Wu Fa
- Zhaoji Jia
- Xingli Niu
- Qianbin Yang
Ju Dou Plot Summary
What happens in Ju Dou from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the early 20th century, life in a rural Chinese dye mill unfolds around complex loyalties and forbidden desire. Tianqing, Baotian Li, returns from a silk-selling trip to work for his adoptive uncle, Jinshan, Wei Li, a notorious and brutal factory owner. A fired worker warns Tianqing that Jinshan has recently taken a new wife after beating his two previous spouses to death for failing to bear him a son; the cruel irony is that Jinshan is impotent. Upon meeting Jinshan’s new wife, Ju Dou, Ju Dou Gong Li, Tianqing finds himself strangely drawn to her, and a dangerous tension takes root in the otherwise quiet world of the dye works.
Full summary
The whole story of Ju Dou, scene by scene
Ju Dou Box Office
Ju Dou grossed $2 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2M
- US & Canada
- $2M
How Well Do You Know Ju Dou?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who plays the role of Ju Dou in the film?
Seen Ju Dou?
Movies Like Ju Dou
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ju Dou, Suzhou River and Pavilion of Women.
Ju Dou FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Ju Dou, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ju Dou?
Ju Dou runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Ju Dou released?
Ju Dou was released on April 1, 1991.
Who directed Ju Dou?
Ju Dou was directed by Yimou Zhang and Fengliang Yang.
More films by Yimou Zhang Who is in the cast of Ju Dou?
Ju Dou stars Wei Li as Jinshan, husband, Baotian Li as Tianqing, Jinshan's nephew and Gong Li as Ju Dou, wife, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Ju Dou make at the box office?
Ju Dou grossed $2 million worldwide.
Does Ju Dou have a post-credit scene?
No. Ju Dou has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Ju Dou in?
The original language of Ju Dou is Chinese.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
