Confessions of an Opium Eater (1962)
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45% of users liked it
(485 ratings)
Very freely based upon the book by Thomas DeQuincey, Confessions of an Opium Eater is set in San Francisco during the Tong Wars of the 1800s. Lotus is one of a group of women kidnapped from China and brought to the United States, where they are to be traded in exchange for precious opium.… More Very freely based upon the book by Thomas DeQuincey, Confessions of an Opium Eater is set in San Francisco during the Tong Wars of the 1800s. Lotus is one of a group of women kidnapped from China and brought to the United States, where they are to be traded in exchange for precious opium. Fortunately, Lotus and her compatriots are rescued by mysterious benefactors and are spirited away. Soon after, DeQuincey sneaks into Chinatown and contacts a merchant by the name of Chin Foon. Both men share the mark of the Moon Serpent, signifying that they work for the enigmatic Ling Tang, who is the mastermind behind the human auctions. Foon instructs DeQuincey to locate Lotus. He finds her but tries to escape with her, rather than handing her over to Foon. His treachery is discovered, and he admits that he is working for both sides in the Tong conflict. He escapes and, stumbling through the bowels of Chinatown, discovers many other bizarre secrets. He also learns that another of Tang's employees, Ruby Low, is not as loyal as supposed. DeQuincey continues prowling around Chinatown; obviously, he has some sort of plan in mind - but what is it? And who is he really working for? ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
- Directed By
- Albert Zugsmith
- Written By
- Thomas De Quincey, Robert Hill
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1962 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Leaves you high for at least a half hour after viewing.
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Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
(The) distributor's alternate title SOULS FOR SALE...advertises the film's sinister proceedings right from the opening credits
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Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Puts to shame anything posing as serious philosophical thought in the Matrix films.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Philip Ahn
as Ching Foon
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Ralph Ahn
as Wah Chan
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Vincent Barbi
as Captain
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Eleanor Boardman
as Small-town Girl
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Terence de Marney
as Scrawny Man
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Linda Ho
as Ruby Low
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Richard Loo
as George Wah
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Yvonne Moray
as Child
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Vincent Price
as DeQuincey
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Victor Sen Yung
as Wing Young
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Florence Vidor
as Herself
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King Vidor
as Himself
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Arthur Wong Ngok Tai
as Kwai Tong
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June Kim
as Lotus
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Carol Russell
as Slave Girl
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Gerald Jann
as Fat Chinese
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Keiko
as Dancing Girl
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Alicia Li
as Ping Toy
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John Mamo
as Auctioneer
