Is The Forbidden City Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1918)
The daughter of a Chinese mandarin is sentenced to death for her secret marriage to an American. Their child, raised in the mandarin's palace, grows up and escapes to seek her fath...
โจ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Romance, Drama cinema, then The Forbidden City offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1918 landscape.
๐ฅ Target Audience
๐ Detailed Analysis
๐ The Core Premise
With the release of The Forbidden City (1918), audiences are invited back into the world of Romance, Drama. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The daughter of a Chinese mandarin is sentenced to death for her secret marriage to an American. Their child, raised in the mandarin's palace, grows up and escapes to seek her father, now a high-ranking official in the Philippines."
๐ฌ Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Norma Talmadge's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Romance. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
๐ค Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is The Forbidden City worth your time? If you appreciate Romance, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
๐ Final Verdict
Ultimately, The Forbidden City is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities.
With a runtime of 63 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.
โณ Time Investment
At approximately 1.1 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.