Illicit Desire

Three pictures in one, this erotic, mystical top 5 hit of 1973 takes a trio of Chinese legends and brings them to the screen as only Li Han-Hsiang--the undisputed master of the Hong Kong costume epic--can. Tang Dynasty emperors, Ming Dynasty scholars, assorted fortunetellers, and several Buddhist monks (not to mention some of the sexiest ladies) combine to create a world where adultery, greed, and lust take center stage. (IVL)