Author Topic: Movies set in Warlord-Era China? (Read 13261 times)

Schweizer · « **on:** July 15, 2009, 04:31:02 AM »

I was curious if anyone had a list, or suggestions, for movies set in Warlord Era China (1916 to 1928), or that deal with Chinese people in that general period (i.e. a prohibition era film taking place in Chinatown my work).

Ones that spring to mind:

High Road to China
The General Died at Dawn
Lost Horizon
The Good, the Bad, the Weird
The Quest

Others that don't fit the period but DO fit the spirit are

Soldier of Fortune
55 Days in Peking
Blood Alley
Big Trouble in Little China

I've not seen Jet Li's Fearless yet, but I feel as though it might correspond. Suggestions of any martial arts films, especially those in which there is Occidental presence (but not confined to that) would be welcomed. So would TV shows!

I know that there have to be more than just these. Any ideas? I figured that, given the period and subject matter, this would be the best forum to post in, as opposed to Back of Beyond.

cdr · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2009, 05:35:26 AM »

The last emperor ?

traveller · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2009, 07:10:22 AM »

"The Sand Peebles" from 1966

Pentaro · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2009, 07:24:56 AM »

"The Sand Pebbles", "Shanghai Express". Both are great!

Quote from: Schweizer on July 15, 2009, 04:31:02 AM

I've not seen Jet Li's Fearless yet, but I feel as though it might correspond. Suggestions of any martial arts films, especially those in which there is Occidental presence (but not confined to that) would be welcomed. So would TV shows!

"Fearless" has very cool fighting scenes, but isn't a very good film. "Once upon a time in China" (set earlier in the 19th C) is less serious and much better IMHO.

Phil Robinson · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2009, 08:26:02 AM »

Not in period or very military, but a fine John Ford film none the less

7 Women (1966)

In a mission in China in 1935, Agatha Andrews is a rigid missionary beset by Mongolian bandits led by Warlord chief Tunga Khan. With her are her assistant Jane Argent, staff members Emma Clark, Miss Russell and Miss Binns, head of the British mission, Charles Pather, a teacher at the mission and his pregnant wife Florrie. When Dr. D.R. Cartwright arrives, she agrees to sacrifice herself to the Tunga Khan in exchange for his letting the ladies go free.

Auton · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2009, 09:12:00 AM »

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933) is another one that springs to mind

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bitter_Tea_of_General_Yen

Bugsda · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:00:45 AM »

"The Left Hand Of God" with Humphrey Bogart, it's set in 1947 but looks good.

BaronVonJ · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2009, 01:25:01 PM »

Don't forget, "The Good, the Bad and Weird"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good,_the_Bad,_the_Weird

Leapsnbounds · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:19:56 PM »

The Left Hand of God with Humphrey Bogart

Schweizer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2009, 04:13:33 PM »

I've got Sand Pebbles, I don't know why I left that off.

I'll try Left Hand of God and Seven Women, both sound really interesting.

Oppiedog · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2009, 07:35:53 AM »

Alright then ... time to quit lirking and get to posting ...

A few that have not been mentioned but are alot of fun to watch:

"Tell It To The Marines" (1926) Lon Chaney plays a tough U.S. Marine Gunney Sgt that helps hold of a band of Chinese bandits (lead by Warner Oland) after saving the required Mission civilians.

"West Of Shanghai" (1937) Boris Karloff (!!) plays a Chinese Warlord holding a group of Americans in the middle of the usual unrest. Worth just to watch Boris.

"Barricade" (1939) Warner Baxter helps to hold off the usual Chinese bandits from over running the local American mission.

Of the others, I've always enjoyed Bogart & Lee J Cobb in "The Left Hand of God".

Bugsda · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:06:25 AM »

I'll have to search these out, especially the Boris Karloff one, he's my homeboy

Pentaro · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:55:11 AM »

This thread will keep me busy for at least a couple of sundays

At least one episode of Peter Lorre's excellent "Mr Moto" series was set in China.

Poliorketes · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2009, 11:00:40 AM »

Farewell my Concubine
Bruce Lee, Fist of Fury
The Good Earth

Though neither works as background for a BoB-setting

Shikari Sahib · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2009, 02:36:13 PM »

there is one with Tom Selleck
the Italian title is
Gli Avventurieri ai confini del mondo,
but I don't know the original name.
Piero

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Author Topic: Movies set in Warlord-Era China? (Read 13261 times)

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