1950s Chinese Movies

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This war film tells the story of a martyr who gave his life in order to save his comrades. It pays tribute to Dong at the same time as it glorifies the communist revolution and provides a model hero for the audience to emulate.

Set in 1953, spies plan to set off a explosion on the National Day.

The life and death of Zhao Yi-Man, a female member of the Chinese resistance

Lin Jin, a solider of the New Fourth Army, stayed in Liubao village with his Army. During Lin Jin's stay, he fell in love with a local girl, Ermeizi. However, he had to leave Liubao with his troops for several years. Lin Jin and Ermeizi lost contact during the war after Lin Jin had left Liubao. Years later, Jin returns to Liubao where he finds Ermeizi again.

Yang Bailao, a tenant farmer, lives with his daughter Xi'er. The despotic landlord, Huang Shiren, attempts to forcibly take Xi'er for himself. On the eve of the Chinese Spring Festival, Huang forces Yang to sell his daughter as repayment of the debt Yang owes him.

About the Chinese communists who fought boldly and selflessly against the Kuomintang.

The passenger ship Haiyan, with more than a thousand people aboard, sails through a thick fog at night. Despite having the knowledge that there are reefs nearby, the captain refuses to stop or slow down.

Five soldiers of the Eighth Route Army fight heroically to cover the evacuation of local people from border area between Shanxi and Hebei provinces as the Japanese attack.

After graduating from maritime college, a group of girls arrive to undergo practical training on a ship and, as future navigators, are greeted in different ways.

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Underground CPC outwit enemies and steal military information in Beiping city.

A film about the expulsion of the Kuomintang from the coastal islands of the People's Republic of China. In the early 1950s, with the aim of liberating Woyushang Island, the naval base headquarters sent the Third Artillery Squadron, commanded by Longjiang Li, to reconnoiter the enemy's firepower deployment. With the help of local fishermen, they defeated two enemy reconnaissance groups, demoralizing the enemy. The enemy transport ship left Chinese territorial waters. The political instructor led the artillery squadron to intercept the enemy ship to prevent it from bringing in reinforcements. As a result, the navy and air force launched a coordinated operation and liberated Voyushang Island.

Two famous comedians from pre-Revolution days perform a series of sketches in a theatre for a group of Party cadres. The stage performances blend over into absurdist, self-contained fantasy episodes where the two comics allegorically parody Party propaganda and ideological orthodoxy.

Based on the famous novel of the same name by well-known author Ba Jin, this movie traces the decline of a large, wealthy family in the early part of the twentieth century. The story focuses on three brothers and how they respond to the expectation that they will each marry women whom their grandfather has selected for them. The lure of family money on the one hand and modern individualism on the other plays out differently among the young men. Critics consider this movie an indictment against feudal ideas.

The story of village children in the 1930s who do their part to help overthrow the White forces in semi-feudal China and bring the Reds to power.

Lu Ban, the father of carpentry of China, lived in the Warring States Period more than two thousand years ago. During his travel through the land, he has solved many architectural problems and befriends a young builder. Under the guidance of Lu, the young man slowly turns from an arrogant and imprudent builder into a responsible craftsman able to take on a daunting task assigned by the king.

Niu, the chief of the general affairs section of a bureau, who goes to great lengths to renovate the director's office before the new director's arrival, yet dismisses and evades the more down-to-earth issues. When the director finally arrives, everything goes out of control.

Qing (i.e. Qin) Xianglian was the wife of a man named Chen Shimei, who won the first title of national examination and awarded as husband of the emperor's daughter. Then Qing (i.e. Qin) sues Chen as a murderer who plans to kill his wife and son. In spite of the royal power, gownsman Bao Zhen settles the lawsuit and sentences Chen to serve his head.

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Financial and political pressures bankrupt a Chinese store owner.

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A special agent of frontier force in Canton tries to find a spy called aunt Mei.

A small Chinese village. For centuries, here, as throughout the country, the working peasantry lived with the dream of owning land. They rose up against the landlords many times, but never achieved victory. And then the dream came true... Dramatic episodes from the life of this village show us how land reform was carried out.

Young technician Lu Ye changes his minds about Shanghai girls during the work with inspector Bai Mei --a girl from Shanghai.

During the war against Japan, a young woman fell into the enemy's spy organization, and engaged in a series of espionage activities, before being inspired by members of the Communist Pary.

In the late 1950s, during China’s Great Leap Forward, Shanghai housewives participated, supported by Dai Mama from the neighbourhood committee. Liu Mama opposed her daughter-in-law Wang Caifeng’s involvement, wanting her to stay home, but her son Liu Genfa supported Caifeng. Zheng Baoqing also opposed his wife Cai Guizhen joining the production group, but Cai ignored him, organised her household, and led the sewing group. Dai Mama helped persuade Zheng Baoqing to change his mind. Lu Afeng joined the sewing group out of fear they would borrow her machine but felt ashamed when they made coats for the children’s welfare home.

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In 1947, the Chinese Red Army sets a trap for the Nationalist forces in Jiangsu province.

A general depiction of the famous 1930's Long March of the Chinese Red Army.

This biography film is based on the life of the real historical figure Li Shizhen.The story focuses on the social injustices suffered by Li as well as the difficulties he overcame in writing the famous Encyclopedia of Herbs.

The film follows a group of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who are holding Triangle Hill for several days against US forces. Short of both food and water, they hold their ground until the relief troops arrive. The movie portray the battle as a Chinese victory over an American invasion, and the People's Volunteer Army soldiers were shown as Chinese war heroes."

After the major campaigns, the Liberation War’s focus shifted to the northwest. Hu Zongnan retreated south, and Fang Zhiqiao led his remnants to Mount Hua, known for its rugged terrain. Fang deployed forces at key passes, but a military intelligence officer, with herbalist Chang Shenglin’s help, cut off enemy communication by reaching the North Peak. A political offensive led to the surrender of the enemy at Qianshi Zhuang, controlling all passages between the North and West Peaks. Trapped, Fang Zhiqiao’s troops, with shattered morale, launched a futile counterattack, leading to his despairing lament.

Political intrigue by the Nationalists among the Jingpo people after the liberation of China.

A soldier finds his new role in the transition from war time to the construction era.

Twelve-year-old Hai Wa sends a secret letter containing Japanese military information to the Eight Route Army during the anti-Japanese war.

1930s, Jiangxi Soviet Area. Jiang Mengzi bids farewell to his newlywed wife Xiang Wu'er and joins the main force of the Red Army on the Long March. Xiao Zhenkui, the leader of the "Communist Removal Group", took the opportunity to return to the countryside to launch a white terror. Mengzi's father, chairman of the Township Soviet, and his sister were killed at the same time. The pregnant Wu'er gave birth to a child on the way to escape. Wu'er is found out hiding and forced to work as a wet nurse. Will Mengzi return in time to save his family?

1950, PLA scout Tai Zeng disguises himself as a Taiwan agent to defeat the bandits in West Guangxi province.

People's Liberation Army troops overcome difficulties to find a route to build a bridge to Shizi Mountain.

1957 film