Turandot

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• 1987
• 2 hr 14 mins
• Drama, Fantasy, Music

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Princess Turandot, beautiful daughter of Chinese Emperor Altoum, declares she will only marry a man of royal blood who can correctly answer three riddles. If the suitor fails to come up with the correct responses, he is put to death. Many princes have tried unsuccessfully to try and been beheaded when they gave wrong answers. The Prince of Persia has just lost his bid for the princess and is sentenced to die when the moon rises. Prince Calaf, son of Tartary's deposed King Timur, is in Peking. He spies his father accompanied by his faithful servant Liu. Calaf asks her the reason for her loyalty. She replies, "the prince once smiled at me." Then Calaf catches sight of Turandot. He is immediately smitten. Despite all the warnings from a trio of ministers and his father, he decides that he will win Turandot's hand. The challenge ceremony is set. Although Calaf appears stumped by each riddle, a burst of insight each time helps him find the right answer. Now Turandot is unhappy. She begs her father not to let this stranger take her. Her father says that sacred rules require her to honor his victory. Calaf, who truly loves Turandot, gives her an out. If she can discover his name by morning, he will forfeit his life. The Emperor and his staff are driven to learn his name. They capture Timur and Liu knowing that Calaf knew them. Even under dire threats, neither will disclose his name. The sun begins to rise. Calaf, in a moment of passion, tells Turandot his name. When the court and community assemble for the final outcome of Turandot's search for his name, what will she say?