13. Silent films of the 1920s
In 1917 two firms competing in China’s burgeoning film industry undertook to put the Mulan legend on film. Both used as their basis the play Mulan Joins the Army. Tianyi Film Company and director Li Pingqian reached the market first, with the film Hua Mulan Joins the Army, which appeared in cinemas that year. It was the first full-length motion picture to present the Mulan legend. In its version, Mulan was betrothed when she entered the army, and her fiancé enlisted as well. When they encountered each other during their military service he did not recognize her. The film was well-received by audiences, encouraging the second film company, Mingxing Films, to produce a film at considerable expense, in anticipation of large profits.
The second film, released in 1928, featured established Chinese film stars, a large production budget, locations in the north of China, and more than 400 army troops as extras. At the time of its release, it was one of the most expensive films produced in China. It too used the play and title of Mulan Joins the Army, and upon its release was not successful. The Mingxing production is considered a lost film today, while the first can be seen on various websites. In both, rather than portraying Mulan as the simple northern nomad of the original ballad and legend, she appears as an ethnic Han, a Chinese heroine against internal and external enemies to her people.