Yuju Hua Mulan (Movie 1956)
Director: Liu Guoquan, Zhang Xinshi
Cast: Chang Xiangyu, Tang Lanxiang, Ma Tiande
Produced by Changchun Film Studio, 1956
Media: 2 VCD discs
Published by Beiying Audio-Visual Company
Language: Chinese
Running time: 102 minutes
ISRC: CNA089800380
Hua Mulan is a heroine who joined an all-male army, described in a famous Chinese poem known as the Ballad of Mulan. The poem was first written in the Musical Records of Old and New from the 6th century, the century before the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
Although history records have different versions of Hua Mulan's origin, the plot is the same. It is said that Hua Mulan's father received an order to serve in the army. He had fought before but, by this time, was old and infirm. Hua Mulan knew it was out of the question for her father to go and her only brother was much too young. She decided to disguise herself as a man and take her father's place. The troops fought in many bloody campaigns for several years before they obtained permission to return home. Hua Mulan was summoned to the court by the emperor, who wished to appoint her to a high position as a reward for her outstanding service. Hua Mulan declined his offer and accepted a fine horse instead. Only later, when her former comrades in arms went to visit her, did they learn that she was a woman.
Yuju, formed in the Ming Dynasty and gaining prosperity from 1930s to the mid 1980s, is one of China's famous national opera forms, right alongside Peking Opera and Pingju. It is known for its smooth voices, beautiful melodies and the strong local flavor of Henan culture. Meanwhile, its simple and unsophisticated style has made it popular throughout the country. Yuju Hua Mulan, starring Chang Xiangyu, one of the most famous actresses of Yuju and also the master of Chang School, was filmed by Changchun Film Studio in 1956. Hua Mulan's song, in which she says, "Who says women are not as capable as men?" has been loved and learned by millions of Chinese.
优秀传统戏曲-豫剧：花木兰（1956年电影）
导演：刘国权 张辛实
主演：常香玉 汤兰香 马天德 等
出品：长春电影制片厂，1956年
介质：VCD
碟数：2
配音：国语
字幕：无
出版社：北京北影录音录像公司，1998
豫剧“皇后”常香玉的代表剧目，讲述的是妙龄少女花木兰女扮男装代父从军十二载杀敌建功的故事。片中常香玉那高亢明亮的唱腔、端庄美丽的扮相；那时而英姿飒爽的英雄气概和时而柔情似水的儿女情长，把一个栩栩如生的女英雄展现在万千观众的眼前。
“军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名”，为了这，花木兰破晓就在机房里愁思着。由于突厥侵略中原，朝廷发了军帖征调将士应战，她的父亲就要应征入伍。可父亲已经老了、病了，怎么披坚执锐？她愁着、想着，终于想出一个改扮男装、代父应征的办法来。于是，花木兰披挂跨鞍。
