The Mad Phoenix

The Mad Phoenix

Year: 1997

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Clifton Ko Chi-Sum

Drama

A Cantonese librettist enjoys immense popularity over the course of decades, followed by decline.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Mad Phoenix yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Mad Phoenix (1997)

Trace every key event in The Mad Phoenix (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Birth and early life

Kong Yu-Kau was born in 1909 as the 13th son of a Chinese government official. He showed talent early and excelled in medical school, signaling a promising future in medicine.

1909
2

Promising medical student

He was talented and topped his class at a medical school, foreshadowing the success he would seek in other fields. His early brilliance contrasts with the later choices he makes for love and art.

early 1920s
3

Charity ball and Lily

At a charity ball, he is drawn to a girl named Lily and resolves to pursue her. This encounter sets in motion a life-changing decision to follow her to Shanghai.

early 1920s Charity ball
4

Stranded in Shanghai

To win Lily's heart, he follows her to Shanghai, only to be abandoned when she reveals she does not share his feelings. He is left stranded in the streets for two years.

early 1920s Shanghai
5

Return home and teaching

Upon returning to his hometown, he cannot continue his medical studies and instead takes up teaching as a steady profession. His hopes of medicine fade as he pivots to a different craft.

late 1920s Home town
6

Discovery of Cantonese Opera

In his spare time, he attends Cantonese Opera performances, especially those by Sit Gok-Seen, and begins writing songs and plays. This marks the start of his career as a playwright.

late 1920s Cantonese Opera venues
7

Joining Sit's company and pen name

His talent is recognized by Sit Gok-Seen, who invites him to join his opera company as playwright. He quickly rises to fame, becomes arrogant, and adopts the pen name Mr. Thirteen.

early 1930s Sit Gok-Seen's opera company
8

Partnership with Tang Ti-sheng

Working beside him, Tang Ti-sheng arrives as copyist and assistant, forming a lasting friendship with Kong. The two collaborate for many years despite Kong's difficult temperament.

early 1930s Opera company
9

Guangzhou falls; move to Hong Kong

When Guangzhou falls to Japan in the 1930s, Kong relocates to Hong Kong and continues writing anti-Japanese scripts, continuing his artistic ambitions in a new city.

1930s Guangzhou and Hong Kong
10

Post-war return and enemies

After World War II ends, he returns to Guangdong, but his outspoken and eccentric manner earns many enemies. As a result, few people ask him to write or stage his anti-Japanese works.

post-1945 Guangdong
11

Wandering in Hong Kong in the 1950s

In the 1950s he goes back to Hong Kong and wanders the streets, reflecting a faltering career and changing public tastes.

1950s Hong Kong
12

Decline and death

As he grew older, he became insane and was admitted to a mental hospital. He dies in 1984 at the age of 74, leaving behind a controversial legacy as a prolific but volatile playwright.

1984 Mental hospital

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:46

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Mad Phoenix

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Mad Phoenix in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Mad Phoenix is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Mad Phoenix Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Mad Phoenix, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Mad Phoenix Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Mad Phoenix

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Mad Phoenix. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Mad Phoenix

The Mad Phoenix Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Mad Phoenix that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Mad Phoenix Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Mad Phoenix

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Mad Phoenix: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Mad Phoenix

Similar Movies to The Mad Phoenix

Discover movies like The Mad Phoenix that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.