Romance of the Three Kingdoms (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a 1994 Chinese television series produced by CCTV
. It is based on Luo Guanzhong
's Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
of Chinese literature. It spanned a total of 84 episodes, with each episode being approximately 44 minutes long.
A team of about 1,000 people took four years to complete the project. More than 400,000 civilian participants were recruited, including divisions of the People's Liberation Army
. It is CCTV's most expensive television production up to date.
Most of the dialogues spoken by the characters were adapted directly from the novel. Extensive battle scenes were live acted, such as the Battle of Guandu
, Battle of Red Cliffs
and Battle of Xiaoting
.
in episode 5 but was cast as Sun Quan
in the remaining episodes. Chen Zhihui is an extreme example of the later because he had played total four roles, three as generals from Wei, Shu and Wu (Xu Chu
, Liao Hua
, and Taishi Ci
) and one as minor warlord Bao Xin
. An example of the former is Zhang Liao
, who is played by Xu Shaohua in episode 12, Zhang Yakun in episode 39 and Wang Weiguo in episode 54.
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
. It is based on Luo Guanzhong
Luo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
Four Great Classical Novels
The Four Great Classical Novels, or the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature, are the four novels commonly regarded by scholars to be the greatest and most influential of pre-modern Chinese fiction. Dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, they are well known to most Chinese readers...
of Chinese literature. It spanned a total of 84 episodes, with each episode being approximately 44 minutes long.
A team of about 1,000 people took four years to complete the project. More than 400,000 civilian participants were recruited, including divisions of the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
. It is CCTV's most expensive television production up to date.
Most of the dialogues spoken by the characters were adapted directly from the novel. Extensive battle scenes were live acted, such as the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
, Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
and Battle of Xiaoting
Battle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
.
List of episodes
The series are divided into five parts and each part with a different executive producer and director(s).Part One: The Heroes Struggle for Power (第一部: 群雄逐鹿)
- Executive producer: You Shijun
- Directors: Shen Haofang, Cai Xiaoqing
- Oath of the Peach Garden (桃园三结义)
- Political Turmoil by the Ten Attendants (十常侍乱政)
- The Capital Falls to Dong Zhuo (董卓霸京师)
- Mengde Presents a Sword (孟德献刀)
- The Three Heroes Joust Lü Bu (三英战吕布)
- An Interlocking set of Stratagems (连环计)
- Fengyi Pavilion (凤仪亭)
- Three Declinations to Take Xu Province (三让徐州)
- Sun Ce's Dynasty (孙策立业)
- An Arrow through a Halberd (辕门射戟)
- The Battle of Wancheng (宛城之战)
- White Gate Tower (part 1) (白门楼 (上))
- White Gate Tower (part 2) (白门楼 (下))
- A Talk of Heroes over Drinks (煮酒论英雄)
- War Between Yuan and Cao (袁曹起兵)
- Guan Yu's Three Conditions (关羽约三事)
- Return of Wealth and Seal (挂印封金)
- Through Five Passes, Slew Six Generals (千里走单骑)
- Reunion at Gucheng (古城相会)
- The Death of Sun Ce (孙策之死)
- The Battle of Guandu (part 1) (官渡之战 (上))
- The Battle of Guandu (part 2) (官渡之战 (下))
- Yuan Shao's Defeat (大破袁绍)
Part Two: The Battle of Red Cliff (第二部: 赤壁鏖战)
- Executive producer: Zhang Guangqian
- Director: Cai Xiaoqing
- Leaping Across the Tan Stream (跃马檀溪)
- Liu Bei Seeks the Wise (刘备求贤)
- A Recommendation for Zhuge (回马荐诸葛)
- The Three Visits (三顾茅庐)
- Inferno at Bowang Hill (火烧博望坡)
- Taking the People across the River (携民渡江)
- A Battle of Words with Scholars (舌战群儒)
- A Clever Provocation of Zhou Yu (智激周瑜)
- Zhou Yu's Scheme (周瑜空设计)
- A Heroes' Feast (群英会)
- Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats (草船借箭)
- The Self-Torture Ruse (苦肉计)
- Pang Tong's Interlocking Stratagems (庞统献连环)
- Spear and Poem (横槊赋诗)
- Zhuge's Prayer for the Wind (诸葛祭风)
- Red Cliff (火烧赤壁)
- Strategic Capture of Southern Administrative Division (智取南郡)
- Conquering Four Administrative Divisions (力夺四郡)
- The Beauty Scheme (美人计)
- Dew Drop Temple (甘露寺)
- Return to Jing Province (回荆州)
- Zhou Yu Infuriated Thrice (三气周瑜)
- A Funeral Attended by the Sleeping Dragon (卧龙吊孝)
- Slicing Off Beard and Discarding Robe (割须弃袍)
Part Three: Rise of the Three Kingdoms (第三部:三国鼎立)
- Executive producer: Shan Yusheng
- Director: Sun Guangming
- Zhang Song Presents a Map (张松献图)
- Liu Bei Enters Sichuan (刘备入川)
- Valley of the Fallen Phoenix (凤雏落坡)
- Righteous Release of Yan Yan (义释严颜)
- The Capture of Western Sichuan (夺战西川)
- Attending a Feast Alone with only a Single Blade as Accompaniment (单刀赴会)
- The Battle of Hefei (合肥会战)
- Contending for Succession (立嗣之争)
- Mount Dingjun (定军山)
- Strategic Capture of Hanzhong (巧取汉中)
- Drowning the Seven Armies (水淹七军)
- The Fall of Maicheng (走麦城)
- The Death of Cao Cao (曹操之死)
- Cao Pi Ends the Han Empire (曹丕篡汉)
- The Campaign on Eastern Wu (兴兵伐吴)
- The Burning of the Linked Camps (火烧连营)
Part Four: Northern and Southern Conquests (第四部:南征北战)
- Executive producer: Zhang Jizhong
- Director: Zhang Shaolin
- Pacifying Five Armies (安居平五路)
- Crossing the Lu River (兵渡泸水)
- Seeking the Way (绝路问津)
- The Seven Captures and Releases of Meng Huo(七擒孟获)
- The Northern Expedition (出师北伐)
- Jiang Wei Surrenders (收姜维)
- Return of Sima Yi (司马复出)
- The Empty Fort Strategy (空城退敌)
- Sima Seizes the Seal (司马取印)
- The Battle of Wits at Mount Qi (祁山斗智)
- Zhuge in Disguise as a God (诸葛妆神)
- The Six Campaigns on Mount Qi (六出祁山)
- Extinguished Fire in Shangfang Valley (火熄上方谷)
- Autumn Winds of the Wuzhang Plains (秋风五丈原)
Part Five: The Three Kingdoms United as One (第五部:三分归一)
- Executive producer: Hao Hengmin
- Director: Zhang Zhongyi
- Feigning Illness to trick Cao Shuang (诈病赚曹爽)
- Turmoil in the Wu Court (吴宫干戈)
- Siege at Mount Tielong (兵困铁笼山)
- Sima Zhao Commits Regicide (司马昭弑君)
- The Ninth Expedition on the Central Plains (九伐中原)
- The Stealth March to Yinping (偷渡阴平)
- Jin Unites the Three Kingdoms (三分归晋)
Cast
Note: Due to the time taken to complete the project (four years), there were numerous instances of multiple actors playing the same character, or the same actor taking on multiple roles. For example, Wu Xiaodong played Sun JianSun Jian
Sun Jian was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He allied himself with Yuan Shu in 190 when warlords from eastern China formed a coalition to oust Dong Zhuo, a tyrannical warlord who held the puppet Emperor Xian in his power...
in episode 5 but was cast as Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
in the remaining episodes. Chen Zhihui is an extreme example of the later because he had played total four roles, three as generals from Wei, Shu and Wu (Xu Chu
Xu Chu
Xu Chu was a warrior who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He served as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao. Gigantic and strong, yet simple-minded and honest, Xu Chu was referred to as "Dumb Tiger" by his fellow men...
, Liao Hua
Liao Hua
Liao Hua , originally named Liao Chun , style name Yuanjian , was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
, and Taishi Ci
Taishi Ci
Taishi Ci was a military general during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served several warlords, including Kong Rong, Liu Yao, and Sun Ce.-Early life:...
) and one as minor warlord Bao Xin
Bao Xin
Bao Xin was a military general who lived during the late Han Dynasty of China. Initially, he participated in the imperial campaign against the Yellow Turbans along with other regional warlords. After the rise of Dong Zhuo, who usurped the power of the Imperial Court, Bao joined the campaign...
. An example of the former is Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
, who is played by Xu Shaohua in episode 12, Zhang Yakun in episode 39 and Wang Weiguo in episode 54.
Main cast
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Theme songs
The music for the series was composed by Gu Jianfen (谷建芬).# | Song title | Song credits | More information |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 滾滾長江東逝水 (translation: The Billowing Yangtze River Flows East) |
Lyrics by Yang Shen Yang Shen Yang Shen , son of Yang Tinghe, zi Yòngxiū , hao Shēng'ān , also hao Bonanshanren , Bonanshushi , was a poet in the Ming Dynasty.... Performed by Yang Hongji |
The opening theme song |
2 | 歷史的天空 (translation: The Sky Of History) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Mao Amin Mao Amin Mao Amin , is a Chinese singer known by the "honorific title" of Dajieda , "was one of China's most famous and senior female pop stars" by "the mid-1990s." In 2001, she was one of 36 Chinese athletes and entertainers who were depicted on a series of postage stamps issued "in support of Beijing's... |
The ending theme song |
3 | 這一拜 (translation: This Bow) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Liu Huan Liu Huan Liu Huan is a Chinese Mandopop singer and songwriter.-Biography:Liu graduated from Yaohua High School in Tianjin in 1981. Four years later, he graduated from the University of International Relations in Beijing, majoring in French... |
Played during the Peach Garden Oath scene in episode 1 and during the three brothers' reunion scene in episode 19 |
4 | 烈火雄風 (translation: Fierce Fire And Majestic Wind) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Lü Jihong |
Played during Lü Bu Lü Bu Lü Bu was a military general and later a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. According to the Records of Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was highly-skilled in horse-riding and archery, and was thus nicknamed "Flying General"... 's riding scene in episode 3 |
5 | 貂蟬已隨清風去 (translation: Diaochan Diaochan Diaochan was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have been born in 161 or 169 or 176, depending on the source. However, unlike the other three beauties, there is no known evidence that suggests her existence, therefore she is likely to be a fictional character.Diaochan... Has Gone With The Wind) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Wan Shanhong |
Played during the last scene showing Diaochan Diaochan Diaochan was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have been born in 161 or 169 or 176, depending on the source. However, unlike the other three beauties, there is no known evidence that suggests her existence, therefore she is likely to be a fictional character.Diaochan... 's departure in episode 7 |
6 | 淯水吟 (translation: Ode To The Yu River) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Mao Amin |
Played during the Battle of Wancheng Battle of Wancheng The Battle of Wancheng or Battle of Wan City was a battle fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu in 197 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history... scene in episode 11 |
7 | 有為歌 (translation: A Promising Song) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Dai Jianming |
Played during Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era.... 's scene in episode 27 |
8 | 民得平安天下安 (translation: The World Is Peaceful When People Are At Peace) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Cui Jinghao |
Played during the scene showing Liu Bei Liu Bei Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history... crossing the river with civilians in episode 29 |
9 | 豹頭環眼好兄弟 (translation: The Good Brother With A Leopard's Head And Big Round Eyes) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Yin Xiangjie |
|
10 | 當陽常志此心丹 (translation: In Dangyang This Red Heart Is Shown) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Cui Jinghao |
Played during Zhao Yun Zhao Yun Zhao Yun was a military general who lived during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. For most of his career, Zhao served the warlord Liu Bei, playing a part in the establishment of state of Shu Han... 's heroics scene in episode 30 |
11 | 丈夫歌 (translation: A Song For Men) |
Lyrics by Luo Guanzhong Luo Guanzhong Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren... Performed by Lü Jihong |
Played during Zhou Yu Zhou Yu Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history... 's dance scene in episode 33 |
12 | 短歌行 (translation: A Short Song) |
Lyrics by Cao Cao Cao Cao Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled... Performed by Yang Hongji |
Played during Cao Cao Cao Cao Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled... 's poem recitation scene in episode 37 |
13 | 江上行 (translation: Sail Along The River) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Cui Jinghao |
Played during the scene showing Guan Yu Guan Yu Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the... 's arrival by boat in episode 53 |
14 | 七步詩 (translation: The Seven-Step Poem) |
Lyrics by Cao Zhi Cao Zhi Cao Zhi was a poet who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. His poetry style, greatly revered during the Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties, came to be known as the Jian'an style.... Performed by Liu Huan |
Played during Cao Zhi Cao Zhi Cao Zhi was a poet who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. His poetry style, greatly revered during the Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties, came to be known as the Jian'an style.... 's poem recitation scene in episode 61 |
15 | 哭諸葛 (translation: Mourning Zhuge) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Liu Huan |
Played during Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era.... 's funeral scene in episode 77 |
16 | 一夜北风寨 (translation: A Night In The Northern Wind Fortress) |
Lyrics by Luo Guanzhong | |
17 | 壮士功名尚未成 (translation: A Hero Has Yet To Achieve Glory) |
Lyrics by Zhu Xiaoping | |
18 | 南阳有隐居 (translation: There Is A Hermit In Nan Yang) |
Lyrics by Luo Guanzhong | |
19 | 誰肯論英雄 (translation: Who Would Talk About Heroes) |
Lyrics by Zhu Xiaoping | |
20 | 子夜四時歌 (translation: The Midnight Song) |
Played during Liu Bei Liu Bei Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history... and Lady Sun Lady Sun Lady Sun, known as Sun Shangxiang in Chinese opera and contemporary culture, was a noble lady in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was a daughter of Sun Jian and younger sister of the warlords Sun Ce and Sun Quan, who laid the foundation for the state of... 's wedding scene in episode 43 |
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21 | 臥龍吟 (translation: Crouching Dragon's Song) |
Lyrics by Wang Jian Performed by Dai Jianming |
|
22 | 明主求賢兮卻不知吾 (translation: The Wise Ruler Seeks Talents But Knows Me Not) |
Lyrics by Luo Guanzhong | Played during the scene where Liu Bei Liu Bei Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history... meets Xu Shu Xu Shu Xu Shu was an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He initially served Liu Bei before joining Cao Cao in 208.-Biography:... in episode 25 |
See also
- Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
- Three Kingdoms (TV series)