Sable Cicada (1938): cast, story & where to watch

1938 · Film · ★ 6

Sable Cicada poster

Released in 1938, Sable Cicada is a drama, war and romance film directed by Bu Wan-Cang, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. Diaochan (aka Diau Charn and Sable Cicada), one of the Four Beauties of China, is supposed to be so stunningly lovely that the moon was shamed to hide behind clouds. Despite being the only Beauty among the four who is not a real historical figure but one conjured by storytelling imagination and embellished by public fascination, her story was nonetheless incorporated by author Luo Guangzhong into his popular and influential novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Her tale is one of Machiavellian intrigue, in which she schemes with her godfather Wang Yun to restore moral order to the land, sowing discord between the corrupt Minister Dong Zhuo and his adopted son Lu Bu, a man of martial and military prowess.

Who’s in it. Sable Cicada stars Violet Koo Lan-Chun, Shan Jin, Diu Ban-Wah and Eryi Gu, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Sable Cicada has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Sable Cicada page.

If you liked it. Fans of Sable Cicada tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Sable Cicada (1938)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for Sable Cicada change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is Sable Cicada worth watching?
Sable Cicada holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Sable Cicada?
Sable Cicada stars Violet Koo Lan-Chun, Shan Jin, Diu Ban-Wah, Eryi Gu and Heling Wei.
When was Sable Cicada released?
Sable Cicada was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.