List of Chinese films of the 1940s
This is a list of films produced in the Republican period and initial Communist period of China ordered by year of release in the 1940s.
For an alphabetical listing of Chinese films see Category:Chinese films .
1940
Title
Chinese Title
Director
Actors
Genre
Notability
Adventures of the Chinese Tarzan 中國泰山歷險記
Wang Cilong Lai Cheuk-Cheuk Adventure/Romance
Adapted from Tarzan of the Apes
The Amorous History of Su San 蘇三艷史
Wu Cun Zhou Xuan Drama
Baptism by Fire 火的洗禮
Sun Yu Zhang Ruifang ,He Weiling War
City of Darkness 黑天堂
Wu Cun Zhou Xuan ,Gong Jianong Drama
Confucius 孔夫子
Fei Mu Tang Huaiqiu
Biographical/Historical
The Country Girl 鄉下大姑娘
Wang Yin Yuan Meiyun Drama
Dong Xiaowan 董小宛
Zhang Shichuan ,Zheng Xiaoqiu Zhou Xuan ,Shu Shi Alternate title: The Story of Dong Xiaowan
Drizzling Rain 瀟湘秋雨
Zhang Shankun ,Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang ,Mei Xi Drama
The Emerald Hairpin 碧玉簪
Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang Romance
Based on a Yue opera
Flower Girl 花魁女
Wu Yonggang Chen Yen-yen ,Liu Qiong Romance/Costume
The Gardener and the Lady Wang Cilong Lu Ming ,Wang Yin Romance
Based on a folk legend
Ge Neniang 葛嫩娘
Chen Yiqing Gu Lanjun ,Mei Xi Historical/Drama
Alternate title: Grudges at the End of the Ming
Guan Yin, a Bodhisattva 觀世音
Yan Youxiang
Zhang Cuihong
Hongxian Steals the Chest 紅線盜盒
Li Pingqian Gu Lanjun Historical/Action
Invisible Heroine 隱身女俠
Wu Wenchao Li Lihua
Legend of the Sui Dynasty 隨宮春色
Yang Xiaozhong Chen Yen-yen ,Liu Qiong Historical/Romance
Li Xiangjun 李香君
Wu Cun Gu Lanjun Drama
Based on The Peach Blossom Fan
Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai 梁山伯與祝英台
Yueh Feng Zhang Cuihong ,Gu Yelu Romance/Costume
Based on the Butterfly Lovers
Light of East Asia 東亞之光
He Feiguang War
Living Buddha Ji Gong 濟公活佛
Zheng Xiaoqiu You Guangzhao Biographical
Meng Lijun 孟麗君
Zhang Shichuan Zhou Xuan ,Shu Shi Romance/Costume
Alternate title: Magnificent Relationship (華麗緣)
The Pearl Pagoda 珍珠塔
Fang Peilin Li Hong ,Gu Yelu Romance
Sound remake of the 1926 silent of the same title
The Perfect Beauty 絕代佳人
Wang Cilong Hu Die Biographical/Historical
Last days of the Ming dynasty , focusing on the role played by famous beauty Chen Yuanyuan Chen Yuanyuan the Beauty
Powder and Sword 紅粉金戈
Wu Yonggang Wang Xichun ,Shu Shi Historical/Action
Princess Snow White 白雪公主
Wu Yonggang Chen Juanjuan Fantasy
Live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney filmChina Princess Snow White (中國白雪公主)
Qin Liangyu 秦良玉
Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang Biographical/Historical
Based on the life and career of female general Qin Liangyu
Qin Xianglian 秦香蓮
Wen Yimin Zhang Cuihong ,Wang Cilong Crime
Non-musical adaptation of Chen Shimei Bao Zheng
Romance of the Western Chamber 西廂記
Zhang Shichuan Zhou Xuan Musical remake of the 1927 silent film of the same title
Songstresses Zhang Shichuan Zhou Manhua Romance
Adapted from a novel by Zhang Henshui
Storm on the Border 塞上風雲
Ying Yunwei Li Lili ,Shu Xiuwen War
First film to show Chinese minority people joining the anti-Japanese resistance
Su Wu Herds the Sheep 蘇武牧羊
Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang ,Mei Xi Biographical/Historical
The story of Han dynasty diplomat Su Wu
Tempest Over Taihang Mountain 風雪太行山
He Mengfu Xie Tian
War
Alternate title: Struggle on Taihang Mountain
The Vast Sky 長空萬裡
Sun Yu Gao Zhanfei ,Bai Yang ,Jin Yan ,Wang Renmei War
"National Defense" film made in unoccupied West China. Alternate English title: Wings of China
The Wandering Songstress 天涯歌女
Wu Cun Zhou Xuan Drama
Yan Xijiao 閻惜嬌
Yueh Feng Mei Xi ,Diao Banhua Based on a chapter in Water Margin
Yanmen Pass 雁門關
Fang Peilin Yuan Meiyun ,Mei Xi Historical/War
Youth of China 青年中國
Su Yi Tao Jin ,Bai Yang War
Yue Fei, a National Hero 岳飛精忠報國
Wu Yonggang Liu Qiong Historical/War
Story of the Song dynasty general Yue Fei
1941
Title
Chinese Title
Director
Actors
Genre
Notability
A Girl in Wartime 亂世佳人
Zhang Shankun Chen Yunshang ,Liu Qiong Historical/War
Between Couples 夫婦之道
Zhang Shichuan ,Zheng Xiaoqiu Zhou Manhua Drama
The Brother and His Half Sister 碧海青天
Yueh Feng Tong Yuejuan ,Gu Yelu
Charlie Chan Smashes an Evil Plot 陳查禮大破隱身術
Xu Xinfu Xu Xinyuan ,Gu Meijun ,Gong Qiuxia Mystery
A Charlie Chan mystery. Alternate title: Charlie Chan Uncovers the Secrets
Die for Love 返魂香
Zhu Shilin Ying Yin War/Romance
The End of Life 地老天荒
Shu Shi Bai Hong ,Murong Wan'er Drama
Family 家
Bu Wancang ,Li Pingqian Drama
Adaptation of Ba Jin 's novel
Heartbroken 斷腸花
Wang Yin Yuan Meiyun ,Liu Qiong Romance/War
Life in the Orphan Island 孤島春秋
Wu Cun Gong Jianong ,Murong Wan'er ,Bai Hong
Princess Biluo 碧蘿公主
Zhu Shilin Wang Xichun
Princess Iron Fan 鐵扇公主
Wan brothers Animation
First Chinese animated feature film
Robber in Black 黑衣盜
Chen Huanwen
Shangguan Yunzhu Mystery
Scenes of Turbulent Times 亂世風光
Wu Renzhi
Shi Hui ,Han Fei Drama
Spring Breezes Recall a Dream 春風回夢記
Yueh Feng Tong Yuejuan ,Gu Yelu Romance
1942
Title
Chinese Title
Director
Actors
Genre
Notability
A Girl's Secrets 小姐的秘密
Wen Yimin Lu Luming Drama
A Joyful Night 一夜銷魂
Wen Yimin Lu Luming ,Sun Min Drama
A Tragic Marriage 淚洒相思地
Sun Min Lu Luming ,Shangguan Yunzhu Tragedy
College Students 學府風光
Wu Wenchao Zhang Cuiying ,Han Lan'gen Comedy
Compassion Various
Ensemble cast Anthology
Collection of 11 short stories illustrating universal brotherhood
Enemies Behind Every Bush Zhu Shilin Yan Jun ,Chen Qi Drama
The Fallen Peony Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang ,Gu Eryi Drama
Fallen Plum Blossoms 梅花落
Tu Guangqi Wang Xichun ,He Bin Drama
Remake of the 1927 silent film of the same title. Released in two parts.
Grand Hotel 大飯店
Mei Qi
Lu Luming ,Sun Min Drama
Remake of the 1932 American film of the same title
The Happy Years 歡樂年年
Yang Xiaozhong Chen Yunshang ,Mei Xi
Rainy Night on Cold Mountain Ma-Xu Weibang Li Lihua ,Huang He Adventure
Romance in Spring 春水情波
Huang Han
Hu Feng ,Ouyang Sha-fei Drama
Remake of the 1933 film of the same title
Roses Are Blooming Everywhere Fang Peilin Gong Qiuxia ,Gu Yelu Romance
Second Sight 重見光明
Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang ,Gu Yelu Drama
She Lost Her Job 玉碎珠圓
Zheng Xiaoqiu Bai Hong ,Han Fei
The Standard Wife 標准夫人
Bu Wancang Chen Yen-yen ,Mei Xi Drama
Alternate title: Repentance (懺悔)
The Strange Lady 奇女子
Wen Yimin Li Lihua ,Lu Luming ,Sun Min Drama
Two Generations of Women Bu Wancang Gu Lanjun ,Wang Danfeng
Wedding Night 洞房花燈夜
Zhu Shilin Chen Yen-yen ,Liu Qiong Drama
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
Title
Chinese Title
Director
Actors
Genre
Notability
Along the Sungari River 鬆花江上
Jin Shan Zhang Ruifang ,Wang Renlu War
Dream in Paradise 天堂春夢
Tang Xiaodan Shangguan Yunzhu Drama
Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon 八千里路雲和月
Shi Dongshan Bai Yang Drama
Emperor's Dream Animation
Far Away Love 遙遠的愛
Chen Liting Zhao Dan ,Qin Yi ,Wu Yin Drama
Long Live the Missus! 太太萬歲
Sang Hu Shi Hui ,Shangguan Yunzhu Romantic Comedy
Night Inn 夜店
Huang Zuolin Zhou Xuan ,Wei Wei Drama
Adaptation of Maxim Gorky 's The Lower Depths
Phony Phoenixes 假鳳虛凰
Huang Zuolin Shi Hui ,Li Lihua ,Lu Shan Comedy
Rhapsody of Happiness 幸福狂想曲
Chen Liting Zhao Dan ,Huang Zongying Drama
Written by Chen Baichen
The Spring River Flows East 一江春水向東流
Zheng Junli ,Cai Chusheng Bai Yang ,Tao Jin ,Shu Xiuwen ,Shangguan Yunzhu Drama
1948
1949
Mainland Chinese Film Production Totals
Year
Total Films[ 1]
1940
59
1941
108
1942
33
1943
1
1944
1
1945
3
1946
6
1947
39
1948
75
1949
44
See also
Sources
中国影片大典 Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films. 1931-1949.9, 故事片·戏曲片. (2005). Zhong guo ying pian da dian: 1931-1949.9. Beijing: 中国电影出版社 China Movie Publishing House. ISBN 7-106-02414-7
中国影片大典 Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films. 1949.10-1976, 故事片·戏曲片. (2001). Zhong guo ying pian da dian: 1949.10-1976. Beijing: 中国电影出版社 China Movie Publishing House. ISBN 7-106-01508-3
References
^ From Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films table of contents. This does not include films produced by studios under the control of occupying Japanese forces.
External links
