Information about Peking Opera Films

　　1.

　　Film Name: Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity

        Country: China

　　Director: Bao Erfu

　　Starring: Li Weikang, Feng Zhixiao, Geng Qichang, Ye Shaolan, Zhao Baoxiu, Chen Shaoyun, Kou Chunhua, Wang Ping, Yang Chi and An Ping

　　Running Time: 120

　　Synopsis:

　　In the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in order to reclaim Jingzhou, Sun Quan and Zhou Yu set up a badger game: they claimed to marry Sun Quan's sister Sun Shangxiang to Liu Bei. But Zhuge Liang saw through their trap, he made Liu Bei ask Qiao Xuan, Zhou Yu's father in law, to persuade Lady Wu, Sun Quan's mother, to arrange the marriage at Ganlu Temple, and as a result, the marriage became real. After marrying Sun Shangxiang in the Kingdom of Wu, Liu Bei forgot to return to his Kingdom of Shu due to the happiness of new marriage. Zhao Yun made a false report about the military situation according to Zhuge Liang’s idea. Liu Bei decided to return to his kingdom and asked Sun Shangxiang to go with him. Sun Shangxiang then said good-bye to her mother and escaped with Liu Bei. When Zhou Yu himself led the army in pursuit of the couple, they had been fetched to Jingzhou by Zhuge Liang. Zhou Yu suggested good ideas to settle the world, while lost both Ms. Sun and troops to his enemy.

　　2.

　　Film Name: Farewell My Concubine: The Beijing Opera

　　Country: China

　　Director: Teng Junjie

　　Starring: Shang Changrong, Shi Yihong

　　Running Time: 100

　　Synopsis:

　　At the end of the Qin Dynasty in 207 B.C., war broke out between the Army of Chu and Han. Xiang Yu, Overlord of West Chu, was brave but brainless. Han Xin, Liu Bang’s general, ordered Li Zuoche to pretend surrendering to Xiang Yu so as to lure Xiang’s troop into a deep trap. Xiang Yu ignored the advice of his subordinates and his concubine Yu Ji and confidently led his mighty army out on campaign. His army met the Army of Han at Nine Mile Mountain. But Xiang Yu was enticed deep into an ambush by the Han general Han Xin and surrounded at Gai Xia. In the night, the Han army sang songs of Chu tricking Xiang Yu's men into believing all of the Chu Kingdom was lost. Xiang Yu's army collapsed. In despair, Xiang Yu realized that he had been defeated. He drank with Yu Ji. To free him of being burdened by her, Yu Ji danced the Sword Dance, said farewell to Xiang Yu, and killed herself with a sword. Xiang Yu, totally despondent, led his guard through the encirclement and battled until he reached the Wu River. Most of his men were wounded or dead. So, Xiang Yu felt shameful to face the elders of his home. Xiang Yu cut his throat. Finally, the Army of Chu was defeated by Han.

　　3.

　　Film Name: The Pearl Shirt

　　Country: China

　　Director: Wang Haowei, Li Chensheng

　　Starring: Wang Rongrong, Du Zhenjie, Tan Xiaozeng, Li Hongtu

　　Running Time: 120

　　Synopsis:

　　In the Northern Song Dynasty, the Emperor of Song and his daughter Chai Meichun went hunting in the border areas. They were raided by Liao general Baruoli, who rammed the emperor off the horse, captured Princess Chai and attempted to take her to Liao. It happened that Yang Yanzhao passed by Tongtai, saved the Song Emperor. Fu Dingkui, son of Fu Long, an official, was also at the scene. Yang asked Fu to protect the emperor and he went to save the princess. The emperor mistook Fu as their savior and promised to marry his daughter to him.

　　 After Yang saved the princess, the princess fell in love with Yang. She sent him an abstruse poem and gifted him with her ‘pearl shirt’. She asked Yang to seek the help from the Prince of the Eight Virtues Zhao Defang. Zhao Defang asked No. 1 Scholar Lv Mengzheng to be a matchmaker for the princess and Yang. The emperor believed that Fu was his savior. Then the princess proved that it was Yang Yanzhao who had saved them, and proposed that all those involved gathered at the audience hall to find out the truth. Lv Mengzheng told Yang and Fu Dingkui to account the course of the event as they had experienced, and everything was clear. It was not until then that the emperor realized his misunderstanding. He declared that the man in possession of the princess’s ‘pearl shirt’ was to be her husband according to the will of former emperor. Yang presented the shirt instantly and later was married to the princess.

　　4.

　　Film Name: Qin Xianglian

　　Country: China

　　Director: Xiao Lang, Qiu Lili

　　Starring: Zhao Xiujun, Meng Guanglu, Zhu Qiang, Li Jun

　　Running Time: 120

　　Synopsis:

　　In the Northern Song Dynasty, Chen Shimei, the husband of Qin Xianglian went to the capital for the imperial exam and was missing for three years. Because Chen's parents passed away, Qin Xianglian came to the capital Kaifeng with their children—Dongge and Chunmei. Chen took the first place in the imperial exam and then married to the princess. Instead of recognizing them, Chen sent his servant Han Qi to kill them for fear of being betrayed his secret. Qin told the truth to Han Qi who was so touched that he let Qin and her children go and committed suicide. Under the help of the Prime Minister Wang Yanling, Qin brought a lawsuit against Chen Shimei at government of Kaifeng. Bao Zheng called Chen Shimei to the court, intending to persuade him but failed. The Emperor's aunt and the Queen Mother came successively to Bao Zheng to prevent the execution. Finally, Bao Zheng executed Chen Shimei according to law. 

　　5.

　　Film Name: In Pursuit of The General

　　Country: China

　　Director: Teng Junjie

　　Starring: Chen Shaoyun

　　Running Time: 90

　　Synopsis:

　　At the end of the Qin Dynasty, war broke out between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. Zhang Liang was appointed to recruit talents for Liu Bang. Han Xin’s talent was not recognized by Xiang Yu. So, Han Xin went for Liu Bang with the recommendation letter from Zhang Liang. For dignity, Han Xin did not give Liu Bang the recommendation letter.

　　 Xiao He, the Prime Minister recognized Han Xin’s brilliant talent and recommended him to Liu Bang many times. However, Liu Bang was initially unaware of Han Xin's ability and entrusted him with only a minor official post causing him to quit in anger. Hearing that Han Xin had left, Xiao He immediately pursued him that very evening. Han Xin was touched and returned to Liu Bang’s camp. Liu finally appointed Han Xin as the general after reading the recommendation letter from Zhang Liang and upon Xiao He’s recommendation.