List of Chinese films of the 1940s

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

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 Li Zhuozhuo 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 Shaoxing 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
Alternate title: 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 film
Alternate title: China 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, one of the cases of 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
Alternate Chinese titles: 尽忠報國, 精忠報國

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

Title Chinese Titles Director Actors Genre Notability
Ask for Help Zhu Shilin Tu Guangqi,
Zhou Manhua
 Comedy
Daughter of the Fisherman Bu Wancang Zhou Xuan Romance Yu Jia Nu
Eternity 萬世流芳 Bu Wancang,
Ma-Xu Weibang 		Chen Yunchang Drama Controversial film on the Opium War, produced under the Japanese occupation
A Japanese Spy 日本間諜 Yuan Congmei Luo Jun,
Feng Fei,
many others		 Drama Adaptation of Amleto Vespa's Secret Agent of Japan. Made in China's wartime capital of Chungking.

1944

Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability
A Brave Man Can Make Mountains and Rivers Brave氣壯山河 He Feiguang Li Lili,
Wang Hao 		War Made in China's wartime capital of Chungking
Dream of the Red Chamber Bu Wancang Zhou Xuan Drama Adaptation of the classic Chinese novel

1945

Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability
Bloodshed on an Oriental Cherry 血濺櫻花 He Feiguang Li Lili War
My Love, My Homeland 還我故鄉 Shi Dongshan Tao Jin,
Zhao Shuyin 		War
Song for the Police 警魂歌 Tang Xiaodan Wang Hao,
Zong You
Kang Jian 		Alternate Chinese title: 敢死警備隊

1946

Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability
Flying Orioles 鶯飛人間 Fang Peilin Ouyang Feiying,
Chen Tianguo,
Yan Su
The Holy City 聖城記 Shen Fu Bai Yang,
Xie Tian,
Qi Heng
The Iron Man 鐵骨冰心 Pei Chong Liu Qiong,
Qian Shanzhu
The Loyal Family 忠義之家 Wu Yonggang Liu Qiong,
Qin Yi
Sparks of the Nation 民族的火花 Yang Xiaozhong Wang Danfeng,
Yan Hua
Spy Number One 天字第一號 Tu Guangqi Ouyang Feiying,
He Bin,
Zhou Chu

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

Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability
Go After an Easy Prey Animation North East Film Studio
Myriad of Lights 萬家燈火 Shen Fu Shangguan Yunzhu,
Lan Ma,
Wu Yin 		Drama
Remorse at Death 生死恨 Fei Mu Mei Lanfang Musical/Opera First Chinese color film
Spring in a Small Town 小城之春 Fei Mu Wei Wei,
Li Wei 		Romantic Drama Named the greatest Chinese language film made by the Hong Kong Film Awards

1949

Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability
Bridge 橋 Wang Bin War First post-revolution Chinese film
Crows and Sparrows烏鴉與麻雀 Zheng Junli Zhao Dan,
Shangguan Yunzhu,
Sun Daolin 		Drama Post-revolution Chinese film
Daughters of China 中華女兒 Ling Zifeng
Zhai Qiang 		War Post-revolution Chinese film
Mother 母親 Shi Hui Qin Yi Drama
Orphan on the Streets 三毛流浪記 Zhao Ming,
Yan Gong 		Wang Longji,
Lin Zhen 		Drama Kunlun Film Company production, also known as The Winter of Three Hairs. Post-revolution Chinese film
Ai le zhongnian (Sorrows and Joys of Middle Age) 哀樂中年Sang Hu Shi Hui Drama
Women Side by Side 麗人行 Chen Liting Sha Li,
Huang Zongying,
Shangguan Yunzhu 		Drama Also known as Three Women and Female Fighter

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

References

  1. ↑ From Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films table of contents. This does not include films produced by studios under the control of occupying Japanese forces.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.