XI YOU JI {JOURNEY TO THE WEST: THE BIRTH OF THE MONKEY KING} {PT. 1 OF 25} {#99 (1)} {MANDARIN CHINESE} (TV)
Summary
The first of two programs on this tape. The premiere in this twenty-five-part adaptation of the classic Chinese supernatural-fantasy novel, "Journey to the West," written by Wu Chengen (1500-1582) in the mid-1500s. This adaptation follows the journey of the Tang monk Sanzang and his three pupils, detailing their adventures with monsters and gods as they travel to the Western Heaven seeking the three higher Buddhist scriptures. Commonly known to western readers as "Monkey King," the novel is based on the true story of a famous seventh-century monk, Xuan Zang, who traveled on foot to what is today India to seek the Sutra, the Buddhist holy book, and returned to China to begin a translation of the holy writings. The novel is an allegorical rendition of the journey, mingled with Chinese fables, fairy tales, legends, supernatural happenings, popular beliefs, and monster stories, as well as bits of the Taoist and Buddhist religions. Part one tells of the origins of Sanzang's future pupils, the Monkey King, and how he acquired his supernatural abilities. This installment begins with an early history of the Monkey spirit, a rebellious, far from ordinary being whose birth out of a stone egg on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit shakes the heavens. The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, inquires about the "stone monkey," but decides to leave him alone. The stone monkey wanders around the Earth and joins a band of monkeys on the mountain, eventually becoming their king after walking through a huge waterfall the monkeys all feared. One day, an old monkey dies and the now monkey king turns sad and concerned that he will die and not enjoy the pleasures of life forever. A monkey who has read the king's mind says, "In the world, only sages, immortals, and Buddhas live forever." When he hears these words, the monkey king's sadness turns to joy, and he vows to find immortality. The next day, he sets out on a raft to travel far across the sea. After traveling for many years, he still has not learned the way to immortality. He passes through South Chanpu State and then crosses the Western Sea. Finally, he arrives in the territory of West Niuhe State. After a long and hard journey to the Taoist temple, he is accepted by the Taoist master Puti Zushi, who names him "Monkey King" (Sun Wukong). Being extremely smart, naughty, and capable, Wukong learns all the magic tricks and Kongfu from the master in seven years. Now he can transform himself into seventy-two different images -- a tree; a bird; a beast of prey; or a bug as small as a mosquito, able to sneak into an enemy's belly to fight him or her inside out. Using clouds as a vehicle, he can travel 180,000 miles in a single somersault. Once Wukong has learned these magic skills, Puti Zushi tells him to go back to his own world. He warns Wukong to behave in the future, and that when he does get into trouble, he is not to tell people that Puti Zushi was his teacher. Wukong says reluctantly says good-bye to his master and returns to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.
(This program is in Mandarin Chinese.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Sun TV, 2002.
Details
- NETWORK: CCTV (China)
- DATE: 1986
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:69616.001
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Chinese literature - Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 - Drama; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; International Collection - China
- SERIES RUN: CCTV (China) - TV series, 1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Yang Jie … Executive Producer, Director, Adapted by
- Wang Feng … Executive Producer
- Ruan Ruolin … Producer
- Zeng Xinying … Production (Misc.), Production Manager
- Duan Xiaochang … Production (Misc.), Production Manager
- Ma Lizhu … Production (Misc.), Production assistant
- Yu Hong … Production (Misc.), Production assistant
- Chen Hanwen … Production (Misc.), Production Assistant
- Fu Xiaogang … Production (Misc.), Production Assistant
- Ren Fengpo … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Xun Hao … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Wang Xiaoyin … Direction (Misc.), Assistant to the Director
- Wu Chengen … Based on the novel by
- Dai Yinglu … Adapted by
- Zhou Yiqing … Adapted by
- Xu Jingqing … Music by
- Yan Su … Lyricist
- Hu Bingxu … Conductor
- Wang Wenhua … Music (Misc. Credits), Music Editor
- China Central Ballet Troupe Wind & String Ensemble … Symphony Orchestra
- Jiang Dawei … Singer
- Liuxiaolingtong … Cast, Sun Wukong
- Guan Yunjie … Cast, Puti Zushi
- Xiang Han … Cast, Ma Hou (Horse Monkey)
- Ma Dehua … Cast, White-haired Monkey
- Zhang Yushan … Cast, Yuhuang Dadi (Jade Emperor)
- Yan Huaili … Cast, Qianliyan (Thousands-Miles Eyes)
- Xiang Han … Cast, Shunfenger (Forewind Ears)
- Li Yonggui … Cast, Elderly restaurant owner
- Li Lianyi … Cast, Waiter
- Li Shihong … Voice, Dubbing
- Wang Zhentai … Voice, Dubbing
- Li Bo … Voice, Dubbing
- Yan Huaili … Voice, Dubbing