114 replies to this topic

[Rong Qin Wang]

Yeah, I will always love to watch historical dramas! In fact, I have developed my passion for Chinese History initially through watching these historical dramas. I only let historical accuracies spoil the entire drama for me when the director distorts actual history to the point of being unacceptable. I personally view historical dramas as a revival for historical events. I can never actually watch historical documentaries as they are so boring to me. I would much rather read numerous books than to watch any of the documentaries!

Zunjing de China History Forum members,

If possible, I would like to withdraw every wonderful things I have said regarding historical dramas, especially the one about “historical dramas being the revivals of the classics!” I only coined this quote when I was a young and naïve idiot! Now that I have been educated by other CHF members as to what is real history, I am gradually maturing into a decent student of Chinese history!

I have just recently been made aware of the precarious nature of historical dramas due to the distorted history and brainwashing of people‘s minds. Current historical dramas have certainly created more harm than ever. Since companies have been producing historical dramas for so many years, they really do need new topics, this would mean alterations to historical figures and events just for the purpose of entertainment. If it is difficult enough for history student to differentiate between facts and fictions, then there is little hope for regular fans to come to the realization that historical dramas can never be completely trusted! In addition, a lot of fans might be crushed to even think that their supposedly wonderful historical characters actually received bad reputations in historical records.

Dramas, in general (whether historical or not), should be only taken as mere entertainment! Other than sharing similar names, true historical figures and historical characters created by TV series have virtually no other common characteristics!

There is a direct variation between the increasing amount of time I spend in CHF and the rising displeasure I feel for the so-called historical dramas!

Of course, it would be ideal for one to view TV series for entertainment and take history seriously as a different subject at the same time! However, not very many people would be successful at accomplishing this task.

Even though I will continue to watch a few of the recommended historical dramas, there is absolutely no way I can enjoy them as much as I did before!

Please note that I cannot deny that I was once contaminated by the historical dramas, but I have definitely turned myself around with the help of CHF members like Snowybeagle and Sephodwyrm! I dearly thank you these two members from the very bottom of my heart!

Xie Xie,

[Chen06]

Hi, would any one happen to know where I can get the Sun Zi Bing Fa series that was mentioned earlier. It sounds really good. I looked it up and found this dvd. Is this one everyone is talking about?

http://us.yesasia.co...pid-1004570257/

Or is it this one called Sun Zi Bing Fa 36 Ji

http://www.chinesema...unzibingfa.html

Also, I was trying to find a good version of 漢武大帝(Han Wu Da Di) with english subs because my understanding of classical Chinese isn't the greatest. I managed to find one with english subs that I plan on buying. If anyone else would like to buy it here is the link.

http://www.hkflix.co.../qx/details.htm

Havent seen this one but you all might want to check it out. Its called The Great Revival. It stars Chen Dao Ming of Infernal Affairs fame as well as Hu Jun.

http://us.yesasia.co...pid-1005162627/

Also, I downloaded some pictures off the internet of a tv drama - I believe it is set in the Tang - but I dont know what the drama is called. I have been trying to figure out the name of it so I can buy the DVD but havent been able to figure it out. I'll post the pictures. Does anyone know what this series is called? I believe its rather new. The costumes and production design look absolutely amazing to say the least. Also does anyone know of any good Tang or Song Dynasty dramas? This one seems to be a Tang Dynasty one but I havent seen any Song.

[rooster]

Chen,

I have watched a lot of these videos. The ones you picked are good ones.

#1. Never watched this one, but have seen it in the shops, think it is not the same as #2.

#2. Yes, this is probably the one most people have watched. I have it - good.

#3. Han Wu Da Di - this version is very well done, get it.

#4. The Great Revival is a well known story. There were 3 versions made in the last 3 years. I have 2 of them. This one with Hu Jun and Chen Dao Ming is better and more "correct". It does not focus on Zixi like other versions.

#5. This one's called Zhen Guan Zhizhi, story about Li Shimin of the Tang period. A bit dry, but historically "correct". Think there is a thread on this. I bought it after reading the thread. No regrets.

About subtitles, I was like you before. After 3 years and watching dozens of these series, I found it better to have Chinese subtitles. That way, you get to learn the language!

Enjoy the shows!

[DaMo]

I have a choice between The Conqueror's Story and The Stories of the Han Dynasty.

http://wiki.d-addict...ror's_Story
vs.
http://wiki.d-addict..._of_Han_Dynasty

Can anyone recommend between the two? I prefer the more "sober" ones ... without the wushu and melodrama, that is ... and with good production and coverage of historical details.

[Yang Zongbao]

Rooster, I have helped correct your Pinyin a bit for the titles and names--I hope you don't mind.

[rooster]

Rooster, I have helped correct your Pinyin a bit for the titles and names--I hope you don't mind.

Yeah, no problem.

This thread's been very quiet.

I've since watched a couple more series:

~ Da Ming Wang Chao - story about the clean, honest and courageous civil servant, Hai Rui. I like this one very much.

~ Sin Jui - story about Hanxin's love who was snatched by Lui Bang. At the end, it showed a mysterious tomb unearthed with a dress fit for an empress, but with no name to it. She was apparently the real mother Liu Bang's son who succeded him. Is there any truth to this?

[Bing]

Da Qin Di Guo (大秦帝國) is part one of a series of drama that tell the stories of Qin's rise from a small and barabic nation to conquering the entire world (天下). The drama is very nicely done and pretty much accurate with slight change of events and things, but almost all historical dramas does that. At least this one is good. LOL

[newscctv]

Zou3 Xiang4 Gong4 He2. I think the English name for it is "For the Sake of the Republic".wedding dresses
custom wedding dresses I found it very useful. It started showing while I was taking history and it really helped me a lot in the subject, especially the topic on China's pre-war history. It brought out my interest in that era's history.

[Catherine]

There is still a good way to learn Chinese. That is Chinese song with English Chinese translation lyrics.

Watching historical drama series is one of the fastest way to learn about chinese history. However, some of the TV series may not be historically accurate. But I would say about 90% of those made in mainland China are quite historically accurate and they are accurately portrayed.

Sofar I've watched a number of good historical TV series by mainland China, and I would recommend a few of the best:

Romance of 3 kingdoms (now available in both chinese and english subtitle)
- one of the best TV series ever filmed, featuring fantastic sound effects and battle scenes, good to learn about 3 kingdoms history, military strategy etc..

Kangxi Empire
- another well-shot TV series featuring the life story of Kangxi emperor

Yongzhen Dynasty
- Good shots about life story of Yongzhen Emperor

Han Liu Bang
- Good shots about the life story of Liu Bang, founder of Han dynasty

Genghis Khan
- Fantastic shot about Genghis Khan and his life story, featuring brilliant props and battle scene. Produced by Mainland China. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to watch.

For the whole exhausted list of historical drama TV series, please refer to

http://www.chinesema...m/tvmovser.html

Edited by Catherine, 15 April 2011 - 08:40 PM.

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[coykiesaol]

Kangxi Empire , this is my favorite serial about history.

[Augustia]

as a Chinese whose major in history, i really don't like those series,because they are too dramatic to be true

[Catherine]

War and Beauty(TVB drama)
I love it!

[Gizelle]

dajia hao! hello everyone!

I'm new here. I want to look for one particular Chinese TV series. I don't know its title, but i know its plot and some of its characters. The main character is Wang Yang Ming 王阳明. He is like a teacher to the king/emperor. This emperor is young and he has one 公公 who holds a grudge against him. This gong gong's name is Li Jing. He's mad because his family offered him to the royal palace to be a gong gong since he's 8 years old. He wants to take revenge....

Does anyone know the title of this TV series/drama? I really want to know it. Please help...