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Shanghai Surprise

  • 1986
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
3.3/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Madonna and Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise (1986)
Shanghai, 1938: A missionary woman hires a fortune hunter to help her find 1100 lbs. opium lost, as wounded need the morphine. Adventure and romance follows.
Play trailer1:28
1 Video
38 Photos
CaperDark ComedySlapstickAdventureComedyCrimeDramaRomance

Shanghai, 1938: A missionary woman hires a fortune hunter to help her find 1100 lbs. opium lost, as wounded need the morphine. Adventure and romance follows.Shanghai, 1938: A missionary woman hires a fortune hunter to help her find 1100 lbs. opium lost, as wounded need the morphine. Adventure and romance follows.Shanghai, 1938: A missionary woman hires a fortune hunter to help her find 1100 lbs. opium lost, as wounded need the morphine. Adventure and romance follows.

  • Director
    • Jim Goddard
  • Writers
    • John Kohn
    • Robert Bentley
    • Tony Kenrick
  • Stars
    • Sean Penn
    • Madonna
    • Paul Freeman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    3.3/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jim Goddard
    • Writers
      • John Kohn
      • Robert Bentley
      • Tony Kenrick
    • Stars
      • Sean Penn
      • Madonna
      • Paul Freeman
    • 41User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
    • 16Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Official Trailer

    Photos38

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    + 32
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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Sean Penn
    Sean Penn
    • Glendon Wasey
    Madonna
    Madonna
    • Gloria Tatlock
    Paul Freeman
    Paul Freeman
    • Walter Faraday
    Richard Griffiths
    Richard Griffiths
    • Willie Tuttle
    Philip Sayer
    Philip Sayer
    • Justin Kronk
    Clyde Kusatsu
    Clyde Kusatsu
    • Joe Go
    Kay Tong Lim
    • Mei Gan
    Sonserai Lee
    • China Doll
    Victor Wong
    Victor Wong
    • Ho Chong
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    • Yamagani San
    Michael Aldridge
    Michael Aldridge
    • Mr. Burns
    Sarah Lam
    Sarah Lam
    • China Doll's Maid
    George She
    • Wu Ch'En She
    Won Gam Bor
    • Rickshaw King
    To Chee Kan
    • China Doll's Boatman
    David Li
    • Doorman at Zig-Zag Club
    Keith Bonnard
    • Maitre'D at Zig-Zag Club
    Claire Lutter
    • Prostitute
    • Director
      • Jim Goddard
    • Writers
      • John Kohn
      • Robert Bentley
      • Tony Kenrick
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After principal photography wrapped, executive producer George Harrison allegedly said of the movie's two lead stars Madonna and Sean Penn, "Penn is a pain in the arse . . . [while] she has to realize that you can be a fabulous person and be humble as well". Harrison said the experience was so stressful that he began smoking again, which might have contributed to his death from cancer at the age of 58.
    • Goofs
      During the bathhouse scene, Justin tells Glendon that the Chinese use tomato juice to remove the stench of skunks. Skunks only live in North America, not China.
    • Quotes

      Ho Chong: And you, Reverend Lady, would care for protection for treasured parts?

      Gloria Tatlock: No, thank you.

      Ho Chong: Your lips and ears, perhaps?

      Gloria Tatlock: Thank you, I said no.

      Ho Chong: Your twin pagodas, maybe?

      Gloria Tatlock: Definitely not!

      Ho Chong: Surely, you want to protect your haven of celestial bliss?

      Gloria Tatlock: How dare you!

      Glendon Wasey: I don't think the haven's in much danger.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Matinee/Alive/Body of Evidence/Sniper (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Shanghai Surprise
      Music & Lyrics by George Harrison
      Performed by George Harrison with Vicki Brown
      Courtesy of Dark Horse Records & Warner Bros. Records, Inc.

    User reviews41

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Terrible!

    Believe me this film is awful. Now I am a BIG Madonna fan and I have tried, out of duty, to watch and enjoy this film, but I can find no redeeming quality. The script is terrible, the direction is misguided, the acting dire...need I go on?

    I didn't even get as far as enjoying it, I have never seen it all the way through. Sorry Madonna, but as I am sure you know, this is a stinker!
    • paulieeuk
    • May 17, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Shanghai Surprise?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 29, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Handmade Films Website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Шанхайський сюрприз
    • Filming locations
      • Hong Kong, China
    • Production companies
      • HandMade Films
      • The Vista Organisation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $17,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,315,683
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $729,885
      • Sep 1, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,315,683
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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