The World of Suzie Wong

1960 "You are the first man I ever loved... and the world has only just begun..."
6.9| 2h6m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 10 November 1960 Released
Producted By: Paramount
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

A Hong Kong prostitute tries modeling and falls for the artist who's painting her.

... View More
Stream Online

Stream with Prime Video

Director

Producted By

Paramount

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

Stream on any device, 30-day free trial Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Reviews

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Micitype Pretty Good
Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.
Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Amy Adler Robert (William Holden) was a success in the business world but found it unfulfilling. Thus, he made what could be called a major life change! Moving to Hong Kong so he can devote himself to his real goal, making it as an oil painter, he can only afford to rent digs in a cheap hotel. All too soon he discovers that the native call girls of the city meet their American or European beaux in the same place! One absolutely lovely gal is Suzie Wong (Nancy Kwan) who catches Robert's eye and visa versa. But, since Robert is comparatively poor at the moment and Suzie must make ends meet for herself and her family, the situation becomes rather sticky. A romance between the two is out, so a friendship develops. However, the more time they spend with one another, the more their hearts become entwined. Soon, Robert doesn't want Suzie to see any other men but him yet, if she doesn't, she will fall on hard times. Even then, when Robert does take Suzie out to a restaurant, the native wait staff and other "high society" Caucasians make fun of the two together, for they know what her profession is. Will love still triumph? The powers that be in sixties television must have gotten this film cheaply, for it was on quite a bit of the time. As such, my sisters and I really adored the movie, having seen Kwan in Flower Drum Song and admiring her beauty. Because the call girl angle is truly subtle, it took awhile for us to really understand the big picture. We saw it more as a romance between two people from different worlds, which it also is. As the two principals, Holden and Kwan make for a great couple while the scenery, costumes, and photography from Hong Kong are also a treat. Meanwhile, the script displays a touching tale of socially forbidden love while the direction sensitively deals with a rather difficult subject. Therefore, if you see the late, late show is featuring this flick, don't miss out. Even 50 years later, it is still a romantic and entertaining view.
chipe I enjoyed the movie because I accepted it for what it was -- a love story between two PARTICULAR people. I did NOT see it as an allegory about East meets West, imperialism or feminism. To me it wasn't a documentary about interracial love. Thus, the title ("The World of Suzie Wong") is somewhat misleading. It isn't so much about the the world or Hong Kong, but about two individual people.The Holden character was unique -- someone pushing 40, conventionally moral, unsure what would become of him professionally and geographically, suffered some bad romances in the past, couldn't afford to "keep" Suzie, and --though attracted to her-- couldn't bear the thought of her having to consort with other clients. Suzie had no other foreseeable job opportunities commensurate with what she could earn from prostitution. She created a fantasy personality/situation in her mind to deflect the grimness of her profession. As mentioned in the film, she was presented as particularly strikingly beautiful; for one thing, she was hailed as the prettiest girl in her hangout. For me they only had to prove things for themselves, not for the sociological things mentioned in the first paragraph.I generally liked the movie -- quite a few interesting scenes scattered amongst the tedious parts.Best part for me -- I loved that scene, near the end, with the burning of the paper models for a departed character, cried. At the very end of the scene, Holden asks her to whom he should address the "letter of introduction," which also was to be burned. She replies, "to whom it may concern." Wonderful. Worth staying through the whole movie.
duane-44 I read some of the comments with dismay. This is an amazing movie in many respects. It is not meant to be steamy. The point is to show the straightforward and powerful interplay and juxtaposition of love, morality, situational ethics and plain old-fashioned fate and tragedy.There are amazing characters in this movie, acting that is rarely equaled by today's performers.An innocence of story and character and setting is captured here that is worthy of the label "Classic." Holden is only "strolling" through this roll because it is that kind of roll. He is that kind of actor. Jimmy Stewart with a bit more grit.Nancy Kwan is inspired and a truly lovely and under appreciated classic beauty.Her performance brings across a range of emotion that is rarely seen- perhaps lately in some of the more popular Chinese and Indian Films.Iif this movie doesn't touch your heart and stir your mind to question its priorities, then you may not have one!
moonspinner55 Handsomely-produced film-adaptation of the hit play can't overcome a certain staginess and isn't as exotic as one might hope (glossy doesn't equal exotic). Story about a Hong Kong prostitute should have been wilder and seamier, but hey, it's 1960's Hollywood, not Hong Kong after all. William Holden gives one of his weaker performances as an American artist who woos the illicit Suzie Wong, very nicely played by a shimmering Nancy Kwan. Holden isn't really into this part and sort of strolls through--you can't blame him, the story being so clichéd and the plot set-up so concocted. Still, the plush covering, fine background scoring and pseudo-sexy doings are enough to warrant interest. Acceptable for soap-fans. ** from ****