Havoc in Heaven
Encyclopedia
Havoc in Heaven also known as Uproar in Heaven, is a Chinese animated
feature film
directed by Wan Laiming
and produced by all four of the Wan brothers
. The film was created at the height of the Chinese animation industry in the 1960s, and received numerous awards. It earned the brothers domestic and international recognition.
The stylized animation and drums and percussion accompaniment used in this film are heavily influenced by Beijing Opera
traditions.
, of the Wan Brothers
and one of the animators of the feature film Princess Iron Fan
, began planning the production of Havoc in Heaven after its release in 1941. However, the project was delayed for over a decade after the Japanese capture of Shanghai
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
, and later by the Chinese Civil War
.
Wan Laiming
returned to Shanghai
as director of Shanghai Animation Film Studio
in 1954, and production of Havoc in Heaven resumed shortly thereafter. The first part of the film was completed in 1961
by Wan Laiming
and Wan Guchan
. The second part was completed in 1964
with the assistance of Wan Chaochen
and Wan Dihuan
. Both parts of the film were screened together for the first time in 1965
. This was the last major animated film
of the Second Golden Era of Cinema of China
. A year later, the entire industry was effectively shut down by the Cultural Revolution
.
The story is based on the earliest chapters of the classic story Journey to the West
. The main character is Sun Wukong
, aka the Monkey King, who rebels against the Jade Emperor of heaven.
Part One
After a brief prologue showing Sun Wukong being born out of a rock, the first act begins on the Flower and Fruit Mountain
with Wukong watching a military parade by his subjects. Delighted with their martial prowess, he decides to put on a display himself but accidentally breaks the sabre he is using.
Annoyed at being unable to find a suitable weapon for himself, an old monkey suggests that Wukong visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea
for a possible weapon.
Wukong then dives into the sea and travels to the Dragon King’s palace where he asks for a neighbourly gift of a weapon.
The Dragon King, amused by the arrogance, orders his soldiers to bring progressively heavier weapons, but Wukong dismisses them all as being too light and flimsy.
The Dragon King then takes him to a great pillar which was used by the gods to pin down the sea during the great floods. The pillar is in fact the As-you-will Cudgel, a magical staff weighing eight tons that can change size and Sun Kung happily takes the weapon.
The Dragon King, not expecting Wukong to be actually able to take the great treasure, demands it back, but Wukong rebukes him, saying that the king should not have offered it if he did not want it taken, then returns to his kingdom.
The Dragon King goes to Heaven and petitions the Celestial Emperor
for the return of the pillar and to punish Wukong.
General Li
quickly offers to send an army, but the God of the North Star suggests that Wukong be given a minor post in Heaven so that he can be kept under close supervision instead. The Emperor agrees to the plan.
The God of the North Star travels to the Flower and Fruit Mountain and tricks Wukong saying that he was to be honoured with a title and a post in Heaven. Wukong travels to Heaven and is granted the post of Head of the Imperial Stables, misled to believe that it is a high-ranking duty.
Wukong arrives at the stables and unhappy with the treatment of the horses, sets them loose, letting them roam freely.
Shortly afterwards the General of the Imperial Cavalry arrives to inspect the stables and furious that the horses are free instead of being stabled, confronts Wukong. Wukong then realises he has been tricked, easily defeats the General and returns to the Flower and Fruit Mountain.
The Imperial Court then hears that Wukong has claimed the title of ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ and the furious Emperor orders General Li to capture Wukong.
The general sends two of his best soldiers, including the god Nezha
, to challenge the Monkey King, but they are defeated easily.
General Li threatens to return and Wukong shouts back defiantly, that he and his monkeys will be waiting.
Part Two
An omitted part of the original release shows General Li interrupting the Emperor's tour of his land, requesting additional troops. The God of the North Star interjects, saying that subterfuge is required again and after a short argument, the Emperor agrees to his plan. A short scene of life under the protection of the Monkey King is cut short by the captured God of the North Star being brought to Wukong by monkey soldiers.
The second act opens with the God of the North Star trying to entice Wukong back to Heaven, but the Monkey King is wary, even with Heaven’s acceptance of the Monkey King’s title. The God makes comments about the Flower and Fruit Mountain, comparing it to the Heavenly Garden, extolling the beauty, scents and fruit compared to earthly delights.
Intrigued, Wukong agrees to become the guardian of the Heavenly Garden, another minor post that he is misled to believe is important. Now assumed to be placated, he is left alone in the Garden where he eats the Empress’ peaches of immortality.
A procession of fairies comes to collect peaches for an important Imperial banquet where they are questioned by Wukong about the banquet’s guests. When he hears that the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea had been invited, but not the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’, Wukong realises he has been tricked again and flies into a rage.
The fairies flee, but Wukong stops them with his magic.
He goes to the Imperial banquet hall and after putting all the attendants to sleep, begins to sample the food and wine. The drunken Monkey King suddenly becomes homesick and steals the entire banquet, putting it into a magical bag for his subjects. He then leaves for the Flower and Fruit Mountain but becomes lost due to his drunkenness, ending up at Lao Tzu’s workshop where he eats the Emperor’s Pills of Immortality. The pills sober him up, allowing him to travel home where he is greeted enthusiastically by his monkeys and he opens the bag, allowing his monkeys to enjoy the stolen food.
In the 40th Anniversary DVD, the fairies’ introduction is truncated, as is most of the Imperial banquet hall scene. The Monkey King’s arrival home is omitted entirely.
Meanwhile the Empress discovers the remains of her banquet and petitions the Emperor to punish Wukong. The fairies then tearfully inform the Emperor that Wukong has eaten many of the peaches in the Heavenly Garden. Finally Lao Tzu comes and tells the Emperor that his Pills of Immortality have been stolen.
This time, both General Li and the God of the North Star recommend military action.
The Heavenly army descends on the Flower and Fruit Mountain, where there is heavy fighting between the soldiers and well trained monkeys. Sun Kung fights and defeats the Four Heavenly Kings
who use a variety of weapons ranging from a sleep-inducing lute to a magical snake.
General Li then sends in Erlang Shen
and a troop of elite soldiers. Wukong uses his magic to make copies of himself and rapidly defeats the soldiers, then engages Erlang in a duel, which includes a memorable shapeshifting fight and Wukong‘s attempt to evade Erlang by transforming himself into a house.
Seeing that Erlang and the Monkey are equally matched, Lao Tzu interferes, knocking Wukong unconscious, where he is quickly captured.
Most of the fighting is omitted or truncated in the 40th Anniversary DVD as are the subsequent failed execution scenes.
Wukong is sentenced to death and a guillotine is used, but the blade breaks on the Monkey King’s neck. A fire breather tries to burn Wukong to death, but he simply inhales the flames and exhales them over the fire breather, sending him running away on fire. A shower of golden arrows is then used, but only succeeds in sending Sun Wukong to sleep from boredom.
Lao Tzu suggests incinerating the Monkey King in his eight-way trigram furnace, since he is extremely durable due to his earlier consumption of the Pills of Immortality and the peaches.
After days of burning Sun Kung in the furnace, Lao Tzu opens it, expecting to see nothing but ash, but instead sees two glowing lights which he mistakes for two Pills of Immortality. Reaching in, he discovers that they are actually Wukong's eyes, hardened by the time in the furnace rather than weakened. Breaking free, he destroys the furnace then destroys most of the Imperial palace, routs the Imperial guards and causes the Emperor to flee in disarray.
A finally triumphant Wukong returns to the Flower and Fruit Mountain where he is greeted by his cheering subjects.
in the Chinese language to describe someone making a mess. It became one of the most influential films in all of Asia, animation or not. Countless cartoon adaptations that followed have reused the same classic story Journey to the West
, yet many consider this 1964 iteration to be the most original, fitting and memorable.
set. It contains several omitted and extended scenes that weren't included on the 40th anniversary version for unknown reasons.
Chinese animation
Chinese animation or Manhua Anime, in narrow sense, refers to animations that are made in China. In broad sense, it may refers to animations that are made in any Chinese speaking countries such as People's Republic of China , Republic of China , Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.- History :The...
feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
directed by Wan Laiming
Wan Laiming
Wan Lai-Ming was born in Nanjing, China. He was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animation industry, and became China's first animator. As the director of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, he would raise the standard to International level before other historical events...
and produced by all four of the Wan brothers
Wan brothers
The Wan Brothers were born in the early 20th century in Nanjing, China. They became the founders and pioneers of the Chinese animation industry and made the first Asian animation feature-length film, Princess Iron Fan in 1941.-Background:...
. The film was created at the height of the Chinese animation industry in the 1960s, and received numerous awards. It earned the brothers domestic and international recognition.
The stylized animation and drums and percussion accompaniment used in this film are heavily influenced by Beijing Opera
Beijing opera
Peking opera or Beijing opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court...
traditions.
Background
Wan GuchanWan Guchan
Wan Guchan was a Chinese filmmaker. Born in Nanjing, China, he was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animations industry.-Early history:Wan Guchan joined his twin brother Wan Laiming in most of the animation projects and experimentations....
, of the Wan Brothers
Wan brothers
The Wan Brothers were born in the early 20th century in Nanjing, China. They became the founders and pioneers of the Chinese animation industry and made the first Asian animation feature-length film, Princess Iron Fan in 1941.-Background:...
and one of the animators of the feature film Princess Iron Fan
Princess Iron Fan (1941 film)
Princess Iron Fan , is the first Chinese animated feature film. It was directed in Shanghai under difficult conditions in the thick of World War II by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming and was released on January 1, 1941.-Plot:...
, began planning the production of Havoc in Heaven after its release in 1941. However, the project was delayed for over a decade after the Japanese capture of Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, and later by the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
.
Wan Laiming
Wan Laiming
Wan Lai-Ming was born in Nanjing, China. He was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animation industry, and became China's first animator. As the director of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, he would raise the standard to International level before other historical events...
returned to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
as director of Shanghai Animation Film Studio
Shanghai Animation Film Studio
Shanghai Animation Film Studio is the animation division of the Shanghai Film Group Corporation in Shanghai, China. It is responsible for the production of Chinese animations.-History:...
in 1954, and production of Havoc in Heaven resumed shortly thereafter. The first part of the film was completed in 1961
1961 in film
The year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with West Side Story winning 10 Academy Awards.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:* Atlantis, the Lost ContinentB...
by Wan Laiming
Wan Laiming
Wan Lai-Ming was born in Nanjing, China. He was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animation industry, and became China's first animator. As the director of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, he would raise the standard to International level before other historical events...
and Wan Guchan
Wan Guchan
Wan Guchan was a Chinese filmmaker. Born in Nanjing, China, he was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animations industry.-Early history:Wan Guchan joined his twin brother Wan Laiming in most of the animation projects and experimentations....
. The second part was completed in 1964
1964 in film
The year 1964 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is released....
with the assistance of Wan Chaochen
Wan Chaochen
Wan Chao-Chan was born in Nanjing, China. He was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animations industry.-History:...
and Wan Dihuan
Wan Dihuan
Wan Dihuan was a Chinese filmmaker. Born in Nanjing, China, he was one of the Wan brothers who pioneered the Chinese animation industry...
. Both parts of the film were screened together for the first time in 1965
1965 in film
The year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
. This was the last major animated film
Chinese animation
Chinese animation or Manhua Anime, in narrow sense, refers to animations that are made in China. In broad sense, it may refers to animations that are made in any Chinese speaking countries such as People's Republic of China , Republic of China , Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.- History :The...
of the Second Golden Era of Cinema of China
Cinema of China
The Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
. A year later, the entire industry was effectively shut down by the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
.
Story
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
. The main character is Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
, aka the Monkey King, who rebels against the Jade Emperor of heaven.
Part One
After a brief prologue showing Sun Wukong being born out of a rock, the first act begins on the Flower and Fruit Mountain
Mount Huaguo
Mount Huaguo , literally meaning Mount of Flowers and Fruit, is a major area featured in the famed ancient Chinese novel Journey to the West....
with Wukong watching a military parade by his subjects. Delighted with their martial prowess, he decides to put on a display himself but accidentally breaks the sabre he is using.
Annoyed at being unable to find a suitable weapon for himself, an old monkey suggests that Wukong visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea
Dragon King of the East Sea
Ao Guang is the Dragon King of the East Sea in Chinese mythology...
for a possible weapon.
Wukong then dives into the sea and travels to the Dragon King’s palace where he asks for a neighbourly gift of a weapon.
The Dragon King, amused by the arrogance, orders his soldiers to bring progressively heavier weapons, but Wukong dismisses them all as being too light and flimsy.
The Dragon King then takes him to a great pillar which was used by the gods to pin down the sea during the great floods. The pillar is in fact the As-you-will Cudgel, a magical staff weighing eight tons that can change size and Sun Kung happily takes the weapon.
The Dragon King, not expecting Wukong to be actually able to take the great treasure, demands it back, but Wukong rebukes him, saying that the king should not have offered it if he did not want it taken, then returns to his kingdom.
The Dragon King goes to Heaven and petitions the Celestial Emperor
Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon...
for the return of the pillar and to punish Wukong.
General Li
Li Jing (deity)
Li Jing , also known as the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li is a figure in Chinese mythology and a god in Chinese folk religion. He is not one of the Four Heavenly Kings. He carries a tower that can capture any spirit, demon or god within its walls. He also appears in the classic Chinese novels...
quickly offers to send an army, but the God of the North Star suggests that Wukong be given a minor post in Heaven so that he can be kept under close supervision instead. The Emperor agrees to the plan.
The God of the North Star travels to the Flower and Fruit Mountain and tricks Wukong saying that he was to be honoured with a title and a post in Heaven. Wukong travels to Heaven and is granted the post of Head of the Imperial Stables, misled to believe that it is a high-ranking duty.
Wukong arrives at the stables and unhappy with the treatment of the horses, sets them loose, letting them roam freely.
Shortly afterwards the General of the Imperial Cavalry arrives to inspect the stables and furious that the horses are free instead of being stabled, confronts Wukong. Wukong then realises he has been tricked, easily defeats the General and returns to the Flower and Fruit Mountain.
The Imperial Court then hears that Wukong has claimed the title of ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ and the furious Emperor orders General Li to capture Wukong.
The general sends two of his best soldiers, including the god Nezha
Nezha
Nezha may refer to:* Nezha , a feminine given name of Arabic origin, meaning virtuousness or a promenade* Nezha Bidouane , a Moroccan hurdler* Nezha , a deity in Chinese mythology...
, to challenge the Monkey King, but they are defeated easily.
General Li threatens to return and Wukong shouts back defiantly, that he and his monkeys will be waiting.
Part Two
An omitted part of the original release shows General Li interrupting the Emperor's tour of his land, requesting additional troops. The God of the North Star interjects, saying that subterfuge is required again and after a short argument, the Emperor agrees to his plan. A short scene of life under the protection of the Monkey King is cut short by the captured God of the North Star being brought to Wukong by monkey soldiers.
The second act opens with the God of the North Star trying to entice Wukong back to Heaven, but the Monkey King is wary, even with Heaven’s acceptance of the Monkey King’s title. The God makes comments about the Flower and Fruit Mountain, comparing it to the Heavenly Garden, extolling the beauty, scents and fruit compared to earthly delights.
Intrigued, Wukong agrees to become the guardian of the Heavenly Garden, another minor post that he is misled to believe is important. Now assumed to be placated, he is left alone in the Garden where he eats the Empress’ peaches of immortality.
A procession of fairies comes to collect peaches for an important Imperial banquet where they are questioned by Wukong about the banquet’s guests. When he hears that the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea had been invited, but not the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’, Wukong realises he has been tricked again and flies into a rage.
The fairies flee, but Wukong stops them with his magic.
He goes to the Imperial banquet hall and after putting all the attendants to sleep, begins to sample the food and wine. The drunken Monkey King suddenly becomes homesick and steals the entire banquet, putting it into a magical bag for his subjects. He then leaves for the Flower and Fruit Mountain but becomes lost due to his drunkenness, ending up at Lao Tzu’s workshop where he eats the Emperor’s Pills of Immortality. The pills sober him up, allowing him to travel home where he is greeted enthusiastically by his monkeys and he opens the bag, allowing his monkeys to enjoy the stolen food.
In the 40th Anniversary DVD, the fairies’ introduction is truncated, as is most of the Imperial banquet hall scene. The Monkey King’s arrival home is omitted entirely.
Meanwhile the Empress discovers the remains of her banquet and petitions the Emperor to punish Wukong. The fairies then tearfully inform the Emperor that Wukong has eaten many of the peaches in the Heavenly Garden. Finally Lao Tzu comes and tells the Emperor that his Pills of Immortality have been stolen.
This time, both General Li and the God of the North Star recommend military action.
The Heavenly army descends on the Flower and Fruit Mountain, where there is heavy fighting between the soldiers and well trained monkeys. Sun Kung fights and defeats the Four Heavenly Kings
Four Heavenly Kings
In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world.The Kings are collectively named as follows:...
who use a variety of weapons ranging from a sleep-inducing lute to a magical snake.
General Li then sends in Erlang Shen
Erlang Shen
Erlang Shen , or Erlang is a Chinese God with a third truth-seeing eye in the middle of his forehead.Er-lang Shen may be a deified version of several semi-mythical folk heroes who help regulate China's torrential floods, dating variously from the Qin, Sui and Jin dynasties...
and a troop of elite soldiers. Wukong uses his magic to make copies of himself and rapidly defeats the soldiers, then engages Erlang in a duel, which includes a memorable shapeshifting fight and Wukong‘s attempt to evade Erlang by transforming himself into a house.
Seeing that Erlang and the Monkey are equally matched, Lao Tzu interferes, knocking Wukong unconscious, where he is quickly captured.
Most of the fighting is omitted or truncated in the 40th Anniversary DVD as are the subsequent failed execution scenes.
Wukong is sentenced to death and a guillotine is used, but the blade breaks on the Monkey King’s neck. A fire breather tries to burn Wukong to death, but he simply inhales the flames and exhales them over the fire breather, sending him running away on fire. A shower of golden arrows is then used, but only succeeds in sending Sun Wukong to sleep from boredom.
Lao Tzu suggests incinerating the Monkey King in his eight-way trigram furnace, since he is extremely durable due to his earlier consumption of the Pills of Immortality and the peaches.
After days of burning Sun Kung in the furnace, Lao Tzu opens it, expecting to see nothing but ash, but instead sees two glowing lights which he mistakes for two Pills of Immortality. Reaching in, he discovers that they are actually Wukong's eyes, hardened by the time in the furnace rather than weakened. Breaking free, he destroys the furnace then destroys most of the Imperial palace, routs the Imperial guards and causes the Emperor to flee in disarray.
A finally triumphant Wukong returns to the Flower and Fruit Mountain where he is greeted by his cheering subjects.
Influence
The name of the movie (大闹天宫) became a colloquialismColloquialism
A colloquialism is a word or phrase that is common in everyday, unconstrained conversation rather than in formal speech, academic writing, or paralinguistics. Dictionaries often display colloquial words and phrases with the abbreviation colloq. as an identifier...
in the Chinese language to describe someone making a mess. It became one of the most influential films in all of Asia, animation or not. Countless cartoon adaptations that followed have reused the same classic story Journey to the West
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
, yet many consider this 1964 iteration to be the most original, fitting and memorable.
DVD release
As part of the 40th anniversary of the second part's release, the film was re-released on a 2-disc special edition DVD in 2004. This edition is the original remastered Chinese version of the film, and contains Chinese subtitles in traditional and simplified characters. An English-subtitled version of the film has not been released, but fan-made English subtitles can be downloaded (see links section). After much demand, the original 106 minute version was released on a two disc VCDVCD
VCD is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below:* VCD Athletic, semi-professional football team* Video CD* Voice command device* Value change dump * Vocal cord dysfunction* Visual Communication and Design...
set. It contains several omitted and extended scenes that weren't included on the 40th anniversary version for unknown reasons.
Awards
- Won the outstanding film award at the 1978 International London Film FestivalLondon Film FestivalThe BFI London Film Festival is the UK's largest public film event, screening more than 300 features, documentaries and shorts from almost 50 countries. The festival, , currently in its 54th year, is run every year in the second half of October under the umbrella of the British Film Institute...
. - Won the 13th Special Interest award at the Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Karlovy Vary International Film FestivalKarlovy Vary International Film FestivalThe Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
. - Won the best art award and children's literature award at the 2nd Chinese film "Hundred Flowers" festival.
Production notes
- At the time, the film was also used as a joke metaphor for the "havoc" being caused by Mao ZedongMao ZedongMao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
(the monkey) in "heaven" (China). - Although it was never translated into English nor released in the majority of European countries, it was once broadcast on Swedish television during the mid-1980s with Hans AlfredsonHans AlfredsonHans Folke "Hasse" Alfredson is a Swedish actor, film director, writer and comedian. He was born in Malmö, Sweden. He is known for his collaboration with Tage Danielsson...
, who described scene for scene on what is happening. It also aired two or three times in the USSR in 80s, and became very popular among the youth. Furthermore it was shown in Denmark in the 80s. - It was also broadcast by the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in 1984. The version broadcast is a longer edit than that of the 40th Anniversary DVD (approximately 107 minutes) and contains several extended and omitted scenes. - A fan-restoration project has completed restoring the film to its original length by splicing together several sources of the film (commercial releases and VHS recordings of original broadcasts).
- The original film is approximately 106 minutes long, in contrast to the 40th Anniversary version which is 67 minutes long.
See also
- Calabash BrothersCalabash BrothersCalabash Brothers is a Chinese animation TV series produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio. It is also referred to as "Bottle Gourd Brothers", "Hulu Brothers", "Seven Brothers" and "Pumpkin Brothers".-Background:...
- History of AnimationHistory of animationAnimation is a graphic representation of drawings to show movement within those drawings. A series of drawings are linked together and usually photographed by a camera, or scanned into, or generated by a computer...
- History of Chinese AnimationHistory of Chinese animationThe history of Chinese Animation began in the 20th century in the Republic of China when the people became fascinated with the idea of animation. A lengthy history interlocks between the art, politics and the ever-changing economy.-Early history:...
- Chinese AnimationChinese animationChinese animation or Manhua Anime, in narrow sense, refers to animations that are made in China. In broad sense, it may refers to animations that are made in any Chinese speaking countries such as People's Republic of China , Republic of China , Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.- History :The...
- List of animated feature films