The Opium Wars (1959): cast, story & where to watch
1959 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1959, The Opium Wars is a drama, war and history film directed by Junli Zheng, running about 103 minutes.
What it’s about. China 1839. Because the British imports of opium into Southern China are creating such widespread medical and economic problems, the weak Manchu emperor Tao Kuang is forced to take action that precipitates the 'Opium War'.
Who’s in it. The Opium Wars stars Zhao Dan as Zexu Lin, Zheng Gao as Emperor Min Ning, Xia Tian as Chancellor Zhanga Mu and Han Fei as Minister Shan Qi, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Opium Wars has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Opium Wars page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Opium Wars tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Opium Wars (1959)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Opium Wars change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Opium Wars worth watching?
- The Opium Wars holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Opium Wars?
- The Opium Wars stars Zhao Dan, Zheng Gao, Xia Tian, Han Fei and Nan Deng.
- When was The Opium Wars released?
- The Opium Wars was released in 1959, with a runtime of about 103 minutes.