Ballad of the Ming Tombs Reservior
Ballad of the Ming Tombs Reservior

Movie spotlight

Ballad of the Ming Tombs Reservior

1958
Movie
88 min
Mandarin

The film takes place during work on the water reservoir, outside Beijing's Ming Tombs, in 1958 at the beginning of the Great Leap Forward. The film follows how workers and leaders are working together to get it done. The film's final 25 minutes is a future interpretation of how it will look like 20 years after it has been completed with the water reservoir.

Insights

Director: Chen Huangmei, Cai ChushengGenres: Drama, Historical

Plot Summary

This film tells the story of the construction of the Ming Tombs Reservoir in China, focusing on the dedication and hard work of the workers. It highlights their efforts to overcome challenges and contribute to national development during a period of significant change. The narrative emphasizes collective effort and the spirit of self-reliance in achieving large-scale national projects.

Critical Reception

As a state-produced film from the era, 'Ballad of the Ming Tombs Reservoir' was primarily intended to promote socialist ideals and the achievements of the People's Republic of China. Critical reception within China was generally positive, aligning with the ideological goals of the time. International critical reception is less documented but would likely focus on its propaganda elements and historical context.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its depiction of collective labor and national development.

  • Seen as a significant piece of Chinese cinema from the late 1950s.

  • Often viewed through the lens of its historical and political context.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available, as it predates widespread online review platforms and is primarily of interest within historical and academic contexts.

Fun Fact

The construction of the Ming Tombs Reservoir, depicted in the film, was a real-life, large-scale project undertaken by hundreds of thousands of workers and soldiers, and it was completed in a remarkably short period.

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