Princess Yang Kwei-fei (1955) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A romance between an emperor and his favored consort ends in tragedy amid family corruption, rebellion, and the loss of imperial power.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

A Grieving Emperor

After his wife's death, Xuanzong neglects affairs of state and turns to music and pleasure. Ministers seek a new concubine, while the Yang family presents a daughter he scarcely notices.

Key Events

• Xuanzong Mourns at the Statue — The retired emperor gazes at Kwei-fei's statue and remembers their relationship. Characters: Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Retirement quarters
• The Emperor Withdraws from Rule — Widowed and depressed, Xuanzong neglects state affairs and spends his time playing music. Characters: Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• Ministers Seek a New Concubine — Ministers unsuccessfully try to interest the emperor in beautiful women. Characters: Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• The Yang Family Presents a Daughter — The Yang family offers a daughter, but Xuanzong barely notices her. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court

The Lute and Imperial Favor

An Lushan discovers Kwei-fei and helps arrange her presentation to the emperor. Though Xuanzong initially rejects her because she resembles his late wife, her performance of his song wins his attention.

Key Events

• An Lushan Finds Kwei-fei — An Lushan sees serving girl Kwei-fei and recognizes her beauty and resemblance to the late empress. Characters: An Lushan, Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Kitchen
• A Scheme for Imperial Favor — An Lushan conspires with the Yang family to dress Kwei-fei and present her to the emperor. Characters: An Lushan, Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Yang family residence
• Kwei-fei Trains for Court — Kwei-fei is sent for training at the place where the former empress studied. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Training residence
• Xuanzong Recognizes Her Resemblance — Xuanzong sees Kwei-fei's resemblance to his late wife and initially asks her to leave. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• The Lute Song Wins His Attention — Kwei-fei plays a song Xuanzong composed, impressing him and changing his response to her. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• Kwei-fei Gains Imperial Favor — Xuanzong and Kwei-fei spend time together, and she quickly gains his favor. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court

Favor and Public Anger

Kwei-fei gains Xuanzong's favor, and her relatives rise into government positions. High taxes and the Yang family's corruption provoke public anger, while An Lushan's request for office is refused.

Key Events

• Kwei-fei Gains Imperial Favor — Xuanzong and Kwei-fei spend time together, and she quickly gains his favor. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• Yang Relatives Gain Office — Xuanzong promotes members of Kwei-fei's family, including her cousin Yang Kuo-chung. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong, Yang Kuo-chung Location: Imperial court
• Corruption Provokes Public Anger — High taxes and Yang family decadence, including Yang Kuo-chung's corruption, provoke public protest. Characters: Yang Kuo-chung, Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: The empire
• An Lushan Requests Office — An Lushan asks Kwei-fei to help him obtain a government position, and she refuses. Characters: An Lushan, Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Imperial court
• Kwei-fei Pleads for Her Family's Removal — Kwei-fei asks Xuanzong to remove her family from office and let her return to her former life. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court

Banishment and Rebellion

Kwei-fei urges Xuanzong to remove her family from office, but he rebukes and banishes her. An Lushan launches a rebellion against the emperor and marches on Chang'an.

Key Events

• Kwei-fei Pleads for Her Family's Removal — Kwei-fei asks Xuanzong to remove her family from office and let her return to her former life. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial court
• Xuanzong Sends Her Away — Angry and hurt, Xuanzong banishes Kwei-fei to the harem; she returns home instead. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Imperial palace
• An Lushan Begins His Rebellion — An Lushan rebels against Xuanzong, condemns the Yang family, and seeks the throne. Characters: An Lushan, Yang Kuo-chung Location: Rebel forces
• The Rebels March on Chang'an — Calling himself Emperor Taien, An Lushan marches toward the capital. Characters: An Lushan Location: Road to Chang'an
• Kwei-fei Returns to Xuanzong — Hearing of the rebellion, Kwei-fei returns to Xuanzong so they can face their fate together. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Capital

A Tragic Parting

Kwei-fei returns to Xuanzong, and they flee to a remote village together. After the Imperial Guards kill Yang Kuo-chung and Kwei-fei's sisters, Xuanzong authorizes Kwei-fei's execution.

Key Events

• Kwei-fei Returns to Xuanzong — Hearing of the rebellion, Kwei-fei returns to Xuanzong so they can face their fate together. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Capital
• The Emperor and Kwei-fei Flee — They flee the capital and spend an evening remembering their first meeting. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Remote village
• The Yang Family Is Attacked — Imperial Guards kill Yang Kuo-chung and Kwei-fei's sisters, blaming them for the rebellion. Characters: Yang Kuo-chung, Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Remote village
• Xuanzong Authorizes Kwei-fei's Death — Told the people will remain loyal only if Kwei-fei dies, Xuanzong finally gives his authorization. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Remote village
• Kwei-fei Is Hanged — The Imperial Guard hangs Kwei-fei after Xuanzong authorizes her death. Characters: Princess Yang Kwei-fei Location: Remote village

The Lonely Aftermath

The rebellion is crushed, but Xuanzong cannot regain the throne because his son has usurped it. He dies lonely, remembering Kwei-fei and gazing at her statue.

Key Events

• The Rebellion Is Crushed — The rebellion is defeated, but Xuanzong cannot return because his son has taken the throne. Characters: An Lushan, Emperor Xuan Zong Location: The empire
• Xuanzong Dies Longing for Her — Lonely and broken, Xuanzong dreams of Kwei-fei and welcomes death as reunion. Characters: Emperor Xuan Zong Location: Retirement quarters

Story Breakdown

• Xuanzong's Grief — After his wife's death, Xuanzong withdraws from governance and ministers seek to restore his interest in court.
  • Retreat into Music — The emperor spends his days playing the lute and neglecting affairs of state.
  • Search for a Consort — Ministers and the Yang family try to present women who might attract Xuanzong.
• Kwei-fei's Discovery — An Lushan finds Kwei-fei and helps arrange her entry into the imperial court.
  • Serving Girl in Kitchen — An Lushan recognizes Kwei-fei's beauty and her resemblance to the late empress.
  • Presentation to Court — An Lushan and the Yang family arrange for Kwei-fei to be dressed and presented to Xuanzong.
• The Lute's Bond — Kwei-fei overcomes Xuanzong's initial rejection through a musical connection.
  • Initial Rejection — Xuanzong asks Kwei-fei to leave after noticing her resemblance to his late wife.
  • Song Wins Favor — Her performance of a song composed by Xuanzong impresses him and brings them together.
• The Yang Family's Rise — Kwei-fei's favor enables her relatives to gain government positions as corruption and public hardship grow.
  • Ministerial Promotions — Xuanzong promotes members of the Yang family, including Kwei-fei's cousin Yang Kuo-chung.
  • Public Protest — High taxes and the family's decadence and corruption provoke demands for their deaths.
• Banishment and Revolt — Kwei-fei's concerns go unanswered as An Lushan turns his denied ambitions into rebellion.
  • Kwei-fei's Plea — She asks Xuanzong to remove her family from office and allow her to return to her former life.
  • An Lushan's Rebellion — An Lushan raises an army, declares himself Emperor Taien, and marches on Chang'an.
• Flight and Sacrifice — Kwei-fei returns to Xuanzong during the crisis, but the people make her death the price of their loyalty.
  • Flight to Village — Xuanzong and Kwei-fei flee the capital and remember their first meeting.
  • Execution Authorized — After the Yang family is attacked, Xuanzong authorizes Kwei-fei's death, and the Imperial Guard hangs her.
• A Broken Emperor — The rebellion ends, but Xuanzong loses his throne and dies in grief.
  • Throne Usurped — Although the rebellion is crushed, Xuanzong cannot return because his son has taken the throne.
  • Final Remembrance — Xuanzong dies lonely, dreaming of Kwei-fei and gazing at her statue.

Directed by

Kenji Mizoguchi

Key Cast

• Machiko Kyō — Princess Yang Kwei-fei
• Masayuki Mori — Emperor Xuan Zong
• So Yamamura — An Lushan
• Eitarō Shindō — Kao Li-hsi
• Eitarō Ozawa — Yang Kuo-chung