The Nine-Colored Deer
In ancient times, a Persian merchant gets lost in a windstorm. Suddenly a spiritual deer of nine colors appears to guide the man. Later on, the deer rescues a man drowning in a river. In exchange, the man promises not to reveal the deer's whereabouts. The man reaches an imperial palace. The king insists on hunting down the spiritual deer down to make clothes out of the deer skin. The man gives in to his greed and leads an army of warriors to the spot. He falls into the river again, hoping the deer will show up to rescue him. This time, all the warriors' arrows turn into dust and the man is drowned
Insights
Plot Summary
A magical nine-colored deer, possessing immense beauty and compassion, lives in a remote mountain forest. When a prince falls into a river and is saved by the deer, he vows to protect it. However, after becoming king, he forgets his promise when a hunter offers a reward for the deer's hide, which is believed to cure illnesses. The deer must then evade capture and expose the king's betrayal.
Critical Reception
The Nine-Colored Deer is a beloved classic of Chinese animation, cherished for its stunning visual artistry and its enduring moral message. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of traditional Chinese ink painting animation, inspiring generations with its tale of kindness and betrayal.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its breathtaking, traditional Chinese ink painting animation style.
- Commended for its profound moral lessons about kindness, gratitude, and the consequences of betrayal.
- Hailed as a timeless masterpiece of Chinese animation with universal appeal.
Google audience: While specific Google user ratings are not readily available, audience reception for 'The Nine-Colored Deer' is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers frequently praising its artistic beauty and its heartwarming, yet cautionary, narrative.
Awards & Accolades
Golden Rooster Award for Best Animated Film (1981), Excellent Film Award of the Ministry of Culture (1980)
Fun Fact
The animation style is directly inspired by the Dunhuang murals, particularly the murals in Cave 257 which depict the deer's legend.
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