Architect Robert Lomax (William Holden) has taken a year off work to move to Hong Kong and attempt to make it as an artist. It’s possibly a mid-life crisis, but what does he have to lose? He meets a young girl, Susie Wong (Nancy Kwan), and is instantly attracted to her – from a model point of view, of course! As the pair get used to each other, a romantic connection is formed, despite Suzie working as a prostitute when she’s not modelling.

This is a gorgeous-looking film (thanks to the legendary cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth – no relation) that takes in some eyebrow-raising themes, including the surprisingly frank depiction of the sex trade some women in Hong Kong work in and the violence they often endured (Suzie brags to her colleagues that Lomax beat her up like it’s a badge of honour and display of true love). Holden is fabulous as a man who goes out of his comfort zone to live his dream. The standards of the time are laid bare in the conversations of the Americans in Hong Kong, as well as the hypocrisies. Sylvia Sims’ character (who falls for Lomax) is a little underwritten and as such comes across as very clichéd. The film packs a massive dramatic punch towards the end that is at odds with the light, romantic nature of what proceeds it.

For those who enjoy spotting cameos from familiar faces, there are brief, early screen appearances for Bernard Cribbins and Lionel Blair.

Imprint’s Blu-ray shows the film off at its best. It’s also given an impressive amount of extras, including two feature-length documentaries: one focusing on the enigmatic star Nancy Kwan and another (on a separate disc and only available as part of this limited edition release) being a 2008 film looking at the influence of Chinese culture on Hollywood. The film has a cult following and it’s easy to see why, and this release will please its fans.