Shanghai Express
A beautiful temptress re-kindles an old romance while trying to escape her past during a tension-packed train journey.
Critics Sentiment
Shanghai Lily delivers her iconic line about changing her name
Chang takes Hui Fei to his quarters and rapes her
The film drops significantly from Lily's noble sacrifice (8.2) to the disturbing rape sequence (6.0), representing the starkest tonal shift.
Shanghai Express maintains strong critical appreciation throughout, peaking during Dietrich's iconic line delivery and her character's ultimate sacrifice. While reviewers consistently praised von Sternberg's visual mastery and Dietrich's performance, the film's darker violence and some wooden supporting performances create occasional dips. The overall sentiment reflects the consensus that this is a stylish, atmospheric triumph elevated by Dietrich's star power.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 24
Marlene Dietrich
Shanghai Lily
Clive Brook
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey
Anna May Wong
Hui Fei
Warner Oland
Mr. Henry Chang
Eugene Pallette
Sam Salt
Lawrence Grant
Reverend Carmichael
Louise Closser Hale
Mrs. Haggerty
Gustav von Seyffertitz
Eric Baum
Émile Chautard
Major Lenard
George Blagoi
Minor Role (uncredited)
Leonard Carey
Carey (uncredited)
George Chung
Chinese Soldier (uncredited)
Wong Chung
Chinese Officer Checking Passports (uncredited)
Jack Deery
British Officer at Shanghai (uncredited)
Herbert Evans
British Railway Officer (uncredited)
Willie Fung
Train Engineer (uncredited)
Tom Gubbins
Chinese Officer (uncredited)
Forrester Harvey
Peiping Ticket Agent (uncredited)
Claude King
Mr. Albright (uncredited)
James B. Leong
A Rebel (uncredited)
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
