Ju Dou (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1990, Ju Dou is a drama film directed by Zhang Yimou, running about 95 minutes. “An Erotic Tale of Forbidden Passion.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A woman married to the brutal and infertile owner of a dye mill in rural China conceives a boy with her husband's nephew but is forced to raise her son as her husband's heir without revealing his parentage in this circular tragedy. Filmed in glowing technicolour, this tale of romantic and familial love in the face of unbreakable tradition is more universal than its setting.
Who’s in it. Ju Dou stars Gong Li as Ju Dou, Wei Li as Yang Jinshan, Li Baotian as Yang Tianqing and Xingli Niu as Patriarch of the Yang Clan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Ju Dou has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Ju Dou page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ju Dou tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ju Dou (1990)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Ju Dou change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Ju Dou worth watching?
- Ju Dou holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Ju Dou?
- Ju Dou stars Gong Li, Wei Li, Li Baotian, Xingli Niu and Jia Zhaoji.
- When was Ju Dou released?
- Ju Dou was released in 1990, with a runtime of about 95 minutes.