This is a list of films produced in the Republican period and initial Communist period of China ordered by year of release in the 1940s.
For an alphabetical listing of Chinese films see :Category:Chinese films.
1940
Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability Adventures of the Chinese Tarzan 中國泰山歷險記 Wang Cilong Lai Cheuk-Cheuk Adventure/Romance Adapted from Tarzan of the Apes The Amorous History of Su San 蘇三艷史 Wu Cun Zhou Xuan Drama Baptism by Fire 火的洗禮 Sun Yu Zhang Ruifang,He Weiling War City of Darkness 黑天堂 Wu Cun Zhou Xuan,Gong Jianong Drama Confucius 孔夫子 Fei Mu Tang Huaiqiu Biographical/Historical The Country Girl 鄉下大姑娘 Wang Yin Yuan Meiyun Drama Dong Xiaowan 董小宛 Zhang Shichuan,Zheng Xiaoqiu Zhou Xuan,Shu Shi Alternate title: The Story of Dong Xiaowan Drizzling Rain 瀟湘秋雨 Zhang Shankun,Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang,Mei Xi Drama The Emerald Hairpin碧玉簪 Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang Romance Based on a Yue opera Flower Girl 花魁女 Wu Yonggang Chen Yen-yen,Liu Qiong Romance/Costume The Gardener and the Lady Wang Cilong Lu Ming,Wang Yin Romance Based on a folk legend Ge Neniang 葛嫩娘 Chen Yiqing Gu Lanjun,Mei Xi Historical/Drama Alternate title: Grudges at the End of the Ming Guan Yin, a Bodhisattva 觀世音 Yan Youxiang Zhang Cuihong Hongxian Steals the Chest 紅線盜盒 Li Pingqian Gu Lanjun Historical/Action Invisible Heroine 隱身女俠 Wu Wenchao Li Lihua Legend of the Sui Dynasty 隨宮春色 Yang Xiaozhong Chen Yen-yen,Liu Qiong Historical/Romance Li Xiangjun 李香君 Wu Cun Gu Lanjun Drama Based on The Peach Blossom Fan Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai 梁山伯與祝英台 Yueh Feng Zhang Cuihong,Gu Yelu Romance/Costume Based on the Butterfly Lovers Light of East Asia 東亞之光 He Feiguang War Living Buddha Ji Gong 濟公活佛 Zheng Xiaoqiu You Guangzhao Biographical Meng Lijun 孟麗君 Zhang Shichuan Zhou Xuan,Shu Shi Romance/Costume Alternate title: Magnificent Relationship (華麗緣) The Pearl Pagoda 珍珠塔 Fang Peilin Li Hong,Gu Yelu Romance Sound remake of the 1926 silent of the same title The Perfect Beauty 絕代佳人 Wang Cilong Hu Die Biographical/Historical Last days of the Ming dynasty, focusing on the role played by famous beauty Chen YuanyuanAlternate title: Chen Yuanyuan the Beauty Powder and Sword 紅粉金戈 Wu Yonggang Wang Xichun,Shu Shi Historical/Action Princess Snow White 白雪公主 Wu Yonggang Chen Juanjuan Fantasy Live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney filmAlternate title: China Princess Snow White (中國白雪公主) Qin Liangyu 秦良玉 Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang Biographical/Historical Based on the life and career of female general Qin Liangyu Qin Xianglian 秦香蓮 Wen Yimin Zhang Cuihong,Wang Cilong Crime Non-musical adaptation of Chen Shimei, one of the cases of Bao Zheng Romance of the Western Chamber 西廂記 Zhang Shichuan Zhou Xuan Musical remake of the 1927 silent film of the same title Songstresses Zhang Shichuan Zhou Manhua Romance Adapted from a novel by Zhang Henshui Storm on the Border 塞上風雲 Ying Yunwei Li Lili,Shu Xiuwen War First film to show Chinese minority people joining the anti-Japanese resistance Su Wu Herds the Sheep 蘇武牧羊 Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang,Mei Xi Biographical/Historical The story of Han dynasty diplomat Su Wu Tempest Over Taihang Mountain 風雪太行山 He Mengfu Xie Tian War Alternate title: Struggle on Taihang Mountain The Vast Sky 長空萬裡 Sun Yu Gao Zhanfei,Bai Yang,Jin Yan,Wang Renmei War "National Defense" film made in unoccupied West China. Alternate English title: Wings of China The Wandering Songstress 天涯歌女 Wu Cun Zhou Xuan Drama Yan Xijiao 閻惜嬌 Yueh Feng Mei Xi,Diao Banhua Based on a chapter in Water Margin Yanmen Pass 雁門關 Fang Peilin Yuan Meiyun,Mei Xi Historical/War Youth of China 青年中國 Su Yi Tao Jin,Bai Yang War Yue Fei, a National Hero 岳飛精忠報國 Wu Yonggang Liu Qiong Historical/War Story of the Song dynasty general Yue FeiAlternate Chinese titles: 尽忠報國, 精忠報國
1941 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability A Girl in Wartime 亂世佳人 Zhang Shankun Chen Yunshang,Liu Qiong Historical/War Between Couples 夫婦之道 Zhang Shichuan,Zheng Xiaoqiu Zhou Manhua Drama The Brother and His Half Sister碧海青天 Yueh Feng Tong Yuejuan,Gu Yelu Charlie Chan Smashes an Evil Plot 陳查禮大破隱身術 Xu Xinfu Xu Xinyuan,Gu Meijun,Gong Qiuxia Mystery A Charlie Chan mystery. Alternate title: Charlie Chan Uncovers the Secrets Die for Love 返魂香 Zhu Shilin Ying Yin War/Romance The End of Life 地老天荒 Shu Shi Bai Hong,Murong Wan'er Drama Family 家 Bu Wancang,Li Pingqian Drama Adaptation of Ba Jin's novel Heartbroken 斷腸花 Wang Yin Yuan Meiyun,Liu Qiong Romance/War Life in the Orphan Island 孤島春秋 Wu Cun Gong Jianong,Murong Wan'er,Bai Hong Princess Biluo 碧蘿公主 Zhu Shilin Wang Xichun Princess Iron Fan 鐵扇公主 Wan brothers Animation First Chinese animated feature film Robber in Black 黑衣盜 Chen Huanwen Shangguan Yunzhu Mystery Scenes of Turbulent Times 亂世風光 Wu Renzhi Shi Hui,Han Fei Drama Spring Breezes Recall a Dream 春風回夢記 Yueh Feng Tong Yuejuan,Gu Yelu Romance
1942
Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability A Girl's Secrets 小姐的秘密 Wen Yimin Lu Luming Drama A Joyful Night 一夜銷魂 Wen Yimin Lu Luming,Sun Min Drama A Tragic Marriage 淚洒相思地 Sun Min Lu Luming,Shangguan Yunzhu Tragedy College Students 學府風光 Wu Wenchao Zhang Cuiying,Han Lan'gen Comedy Compassion Various Ensemble cast Anthology Collection of 11 short stories illustrating universal brotherhood Enemies Behind Every Bush Zhu Shilin Yan Jun,Chen Qi Drama The Fallen Peony Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang,Gu Eryi Drama Fallen Plum Blossoms 梅花落 Tu Guangqi Wang Xichun,He Bin Drama Remake of the 1927 silent film of the same title. Released in two parts. Grand Hotel 大飯店 Mei Qi Lu Luming,Sun Min Drama Remake of the 1932 American film of the same title The Happy Years 歡樂年年 Yang Xiaozhong Chen Yunshang,Mei Xi Rainy Night on Cold Mountain Ma-Xu Weibang Li Lihua,Huang He Adventure Romance in Spring 春水情波 Huang Han Hu Feng,Ouyang Sha-fei Drama Remake of the 1933 film of the same title Roses Are Blooming Everywhere Fang Peilin Gong Qiuxia,Gu Yelu Romance Second Sight 重見光明 Bu Wancang Chen Yunshang,Gu Yelu Drama She Lost Her Job 玉碎珠圓 Zheng Xiaoqiu Bai Hong,Han Fei The Standard Wife 標准夫人 Bu Wancang Chen Yen-yen,Mei Xi Drama Alternate title: Repentance (懺悔) The Strange Lady 奇女子 Wen Yimin Li Lihua,Lu Luming,Sun Min Drama Two Generations of Women Bu Wancang Gu Lanjun,Wang Danfeng Wedding Night 洞房花燈夜 Zhu Shilin Chen Yen-yen,Liu Qiong Drama
1943
Title Chinese Titles Director Actors Genre Notability Ask for Help Zhu Shilin Tu Guangqi,Zhou Manhua Comedy Daughter of the Fisherman Bu Wancang Zhou Xuan Romance Yu Jia Nu Eternity 萬世流芳 Bu Wancang,Ma-Xu Weibang Chen Yunchang Drama Controversial film on the Opium War, produced under the Japanese occupation A Japanese Spy 日本間諜 Yuan Congmei Luo Jun,Feng Fei,many others Drama Adaptation of Amleto Vespa's Secret Agent of Japan. Made in China's wartime capital of Chungking.
1944 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre NotabilityA Brave Man Can Make Mountains and Rivers Brave氣壯山河 He Feiguang Li Lili,Wang Hao War Made in China's wartime capital of ChungkingDream of the Red Chamber Bu Wancang Zhou Xuan Drama Adaptation of the classic Chinese novel
1945 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability Bloodshed on an Oriental Cherry 血濺櫻花 He Feiguang Li Lili War My Love, My Homeland 還我故鄉 Shi Dongshan Tao Jin,Zhao Shuyin War Song for the Police 警魂歌 Tang Xiaodan Wang Hao,Zong YouKang Jian Alternate Chinese title: 敢死警備隊
1946 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability Flying Orioles 鶯飛人間 Fang Peilin Ouyang Feiying,Chen Tianguo,Yan Su The Holy City 聖城記 Shen Fu Bai Yang,Xie Tian,Qi Heng The Iron Man 鐵骨冰心 Pei Chong Liu Qiong,Qian Shanzhu The Loyal Family 忠義之家 Wu Yonggang Liu Qiong,Qin Yi Sparks of the Nation 民族的火花 Yang Xiaozhong Wang Danfeng,Yan Hua Spy Number One 天字第一號 Tu Guangqi Ouyang Feiying,He Bin,Zhou Chu
1947 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability Along the Sungari River 鬆花江上 Jin Shan Zhang Ruifang,Wang Renlu War Dream in Paradise 天堂春夢 Tang Xiaodan Shangguan Yunzhu Drama Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon 八千里路雲和月 Shi Dongshan Bai Yang Drama Emperor's Dream Animation Far Away Love 遙遠的愛 Chen Liting Zhao Dan,Qin Yi,Wu Yin Drama Long Live the Missus! 太太萬歲 Sang Hu Shi Hui,Shangguan Yunzhu Romantic Comedy Night Inn 夜店 Huang Zuolin Zhou Xuan,Wei Wei Drama Adaptation of Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths Phony Phoenixes 假鳳虛凰 Huang Zuolin Shi Hui,Li Lihua,Lu Shan Comedy Rhapsody of Happiness 幸福狂想曲 Chen Liting Zhao Dan,Huang Zongying Drama Written by Chen Baichen The Spring River Flows East一江春水向東流 Zheng Junli,Cai Chusheng Bai Yang,Tao Jin,Shu Xiuwen,Shangguan Yunzhu Drama
1948 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre NotabilityGo After an Easy Prey瓮中捉鳖Fang Ming Animation North East Film StudioMyriad of Lights 萬家燈火 Shen Fu Shangguan Yunzhu,Lan Ma,Wu Yin Drama A Wedding in the Dream 生死恨 Fei Mu Mei Lanfang Musical/Opera First Chinese color film Spring in a Small Town 小城之春 Fei Mu Wei Wei,Li Wei Romantic Drama Named the greatest Chinese language film made by the Hong Kong Film Awards
1949 Title Chinese Title Director Actors Genre Notability Bridge 橋 Wang Bin War First post-revolution Chinese filmCrows and Sparrows烏鴉與麻雀 Zheng Junli Zhao Dan,Shangguan Yunzhu,Sun Daolin Drama Post-revolution Chinese film Daughters of China 中華女兒 Ling ZifengZhai Qiang War Post-revolution Chinese film Mother 母親 Shi Hui Qin Yi Drama Orphan on the Streets 三毛流浪記 Zhao Ming,Yan Gong Wang Longji,Lin Zhen Drama Kunlun Film Company production, also known as The Winter of Three Hairs. Post-revolution Chinese film Ai le zhongnian (Sorrows and Joys of Middle Age) 哀樂中年Sang Hu Shi Hui Drama Women Side by Side 麗人行 Chen Liting Sha Li,Huang Zongying,Shangguan Yunzhu Drama Also known as Three Women and Female Fighter
Mainland Chinese film production totals
Year Total FilmsFrom Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films table of contents. This does not include films produced by studios under the control of occupying Japanese forces. 1940 59 1941 108 1942 33 1943 1 1944 1 1945 3 1946 6 1947 39 1948 75 1949 44
See also Cinema of China Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures as chosen by the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards
Sources 中国影片大典 Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films. 1931-1949.9, 故事片·戏曲片. (2005). Zhong guo ying pian da dian: 1931-1949.9. Beijing: 中国电影出版社 China Movie Publishing House. 中国影片大典 Encyclopaedia of Chinese Films. 1949.10-1976, 故事片·戏曲片. (2001). Zhong guo ying pian da dian: 1949.10-1976. Beijing: 中国电影出版社 China Movie Publishing House.
References
External links IMDb list of Chinese films