Three Kingdoms

This epic historical novel “Romance Of The Three Kingdoms” written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century is well known and loved by most Chinese folk of all ages. It is not the most significant era of Chinese history or mythology, nor is it a period marked by great social progress – rather it had a relatively short span of 60 years (from 220 to 280). Yet, it has inspired many retellings in prose, opera, folk tales, novels, comic books and in recent times, film, television drama serials and video games. We take a brief look at recent film and TV drama renditions of this celebrated classic both faithful and fictitious.

On Chinese Ethics

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Three Kingdoms

is the recent China TV series production. Spanning a lengthy 95 episodes it has been lauded as being the most faithful to the tome and history. Yet it retains all sword and sandal elements of an epic historical drama with intriguing character development, stunning battle scenes with a cast of thousands, witty dialogue that turns many a Chinese proverb, intriguing strategic battles, a high blood count and scroll painting-like scenery and imperial courtroom sets and costumes. All this make for an essential watch that is addictive and never academic in the least.


Most fans will identify with the trinity of Liu Pei, Guan Yu and Chang Fei of the Shu – Han kingdom as the protagonists but this take shows the heroes for all their weakness and humanity as well. They are, as history proves, fallible in spite of the best intentions, virtues, strategic skills and martial prowess. Perhaps the supreme warrior of his time, Guan Yu has been deified through the years. Here, his triumphant battles, fighting skills and much respected honour and loyalty are no less awesome and impressive but is shown in a counterpoint to his eventual hubris and undoing at the hands of a lesser rival general who he once scorned. Ditto for the fierce Chang Fei, murdered in bed by two of his underlings (in vengeance for a flogging) – but not before he scares the perpetrators with his wide eyed stare even asleep! Liu Pei, the ruler of royal ancestry of humble origins has been celebrated for his humanity and kindness.

Yet he harbours the same empire building desire as his arch rival Cao Cao of Wei who is often depicted as a ruthless tyrant set out to conquer (or unify) the world. Liu Pei’s virtues are depicted as a reticence and hesitation that stands in the way of his conquests and it is often his self sacrificing strategist(s), the renown Zhuge Liang who steer(s) him towards the right path. His undoing comes when he ignores their counsel. Cao Cao has a Machiavellian reputation, scheming his way from courtier to warlord and king but this depiction shows him as a wise and learned ruler, strategist and commander who despite his wily ways is perhaps a more worthy ruler than Liu Pei who is often tormented by his own ideals. This rich character fabric is woven amidst the narrative as erstwhile strong empires wax and wane and armies of many thousands led by overconfident overlords are crushed by otherwise lesser foes seizing a scintilla of chance to turn the tide. The glasses on are of the neutral variety - everyone goes about their daily business – only here it is empire building like a game of Risk, crafting conquests and overthrowing vassal lords. There is no right or wrong, only opinion and cornily enough only winning matters although that is for fate to decide (another proverb coming on here).

If there is one lesson to be learned from this tale, it is that pride is deadly, morals matter little (although they may make for martyrs) and mind overcomes might as the underdog turns the table and triumphs. Perhaps the attraction of this tale is the triumph of the spirit that could well be American (or universal) with a healthy dose of fatalism thrown in for good measure.

Another TV serial depiction is the earlier CCTV one

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A Romance Of The Three Kingdoms

On Honour And Loyalty

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The Lost Bladesman

The lastest filmic exploration by no less than one half of the Infernal Affairs duo, Alan Mak looks at the moral dilemma of Guan Yu during a sliver of the period when he was estranged from Liu Pei and thinking that his sworn brother and warlord is dead, seeks refuge with the rival Cao Cao. With the star turn of Donnie Yen (man, can this guy kick ass – c’mon Guan Yu, Ip Man-nified) the action quotient is well taken care of. Add to that character actor Jiang Wen as Cao Cao and you have the psychological interplay of Infernal Affairs set in the Three Kingdoms period. Guan Yu is torn between his loyalty to Liu Pei (giri) and his feelings towards Cao Cao (ninjo) who has bent over backwards to welcome him. Cao Cao gives him the unrivalled steed White Hare – no less than the fastest thoroughbred on earth who previously belonged to Lu Bu the ultimate warrior general who even gave Guan Yu a run for the money, Guan Yu reciprocates by single handedly annilhating three rival generals, scaring the hell out of their armies and averting an all out war. This plays out as a samurai type tale with Guan Yu surfing on a wave as the ronin. However, when Guan Yu learns that Liu Pei is alive, his loyalty dictates that he returns to Liu Pei’s service. His ordeal leaving Cao Cao has him slaying a progression of generals who stop him from leaving. Finally, a reluctant Cao Cao lets him go and even puts a cloak on his back and dusts the sand from his shoes (sob!).

On Brotherhood

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Red Cliff

John Woo has the most sumptuous looking depiction which focuses on the most famous battle of the period – The Battle Of Red Cliff in which, the rival forces of Shu-Han and Wu (under the young lad Sun Chuan) unite to take on the colossal might of Cao Cao’s Wei army. This oft told tale is again the triumph of mind over might with the minds being of the crafty strategist Zhuge Liang and admiral Zhou Yu of Wu, that culminates in the inferno of blazing battleships that ends in the most devastating defeat of Cao Cao’s life. Many liberties are taken with history. In signature Woo style, much is made of the brotherhood between Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro as eye candy) and Zhou Yu (Tony Leung Chiu Wai as more eye candy and serious character actor, Chow Yun Fat turned down the role for more missteps in Hollywood). In reality however, they were arch enemies. Zhou Yu admired Zhuge Liang for his cunning but feared him as a threat to the Wu empire. They had a symbiotic relationship at best and as history would have it, Zhuge Liang would go on to defeat Zhou Yu at various turns leading to his eventual death.

On Die Hard Persistence

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Resurrection Of The Dragon

OK this is totally fictitious. Zhou Yun the famous warrior general, third only to Lu Bu and Guan Yu in fighting prowess is the extra leg in the Liu Pei, Guan Yu, Chang Fei triumvirate. This fictional tale depicts a Zhou Yun (played heroically by Andy Lau) at the autumn of his life, making his last stand in a final battle with Cao Ying, niece of Cao Cao (played by babelicious Maggie Q). Great wire fu and action sequences choreographed by Sammo Hung who also makes a cameo appearance. An enjoyable pop corn flick.

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Lu Bu & Diao Chan


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Diao Chan

Variations of the tale of mighty warrior Lu Bu and his romance with great beauty Diao Chan that changes his destiny and that of Chinese history with the overthrowing of his godfather, the tyrant Dong Zhuo


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The Legend Begins (TVB TV Series)

A tale of the fight amongst Cao Cao’s princelings for their father’s empire which is tied in to the fight for the love of a legendary beauty. It also documents the end of the Wei empire at the hands of strategist Sima Yi and his clan who previously served Cao Cao and Cao Pi.

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The Kingdom & The Beauty - the famous Shaw Brothers movie


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Da Han Tian Zi II


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Liu Bang, King Of Han


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All portrayals of the founder of Han, Liu Bang



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The Little Fairy

Both fantasy tales set during the period