Many people enjoy novels because they not only have good plotlines but also provide us with the thrill of suspense and foster the positive habit of reading. But what if, there are movies based on these novels. That would be the icing on the cake. These films bring to life amazing characters, providing viewers with an unforgettable experience. Here are ten Chinese films based on novels.
1. Coming Home
Coming home is a movie adapted by the novel The Criminal Lu Yanshi by Yan Geling. The movie is about a former professor Lu Yanshi who attempts to reach his wife as he was transferred to another labor camp, but fails in the attempt. He returns home after three years to find Chen Dandan his wife has amnesia.
2. Red Sorghum
Red Sorghum is a movie adapted from the novel Red Sorghum by Mo Yan. The story follows a story of a young woman’s life who works in a distillery for sorghum liquor.
3. Raise The Red Lantern
Raise the Red Lantern is adapted from the novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong. The story is set in 1920s and narrates the story of Songlian, who becomes the third concubine of a wealthy man. After marrying in, Songlian discovers that all concubines don’t receive the same treatment. The master decides whom he’ll spend the night every day and lights the red lantern in front of her room. Pitted in constant competition against each other, the three concubines are constantly vying for their husband's attention and affection.
4. In The Heat Of The Sun
This movie is adapted by the novel Wild Beast by Wang Shuo. The movie follows the story of Ma Xiaojun, and his friends who roam around on the streets of Beijing all day as their parents are busy or away. The story continues around Ma’s adolescence and his growth with his male friend and his angst-filled crush on Mi Lan.
5. To Live
To Live is a movie adapted from the novel To Live by Yu Hua. The movie follows the life of Fugui who had lost everything to gambling. His wife Jiazhen left him with their daughter while being pregnant with their son. One year later Jiazhen returns Fugui swears to clean up his act and gives life his all for the sole purpose of living.
6. Farewell My Concubine
This movie is adapted from the novel Farewell my concubine by Lilian lee. The movie follows the story nine year old Douzi who was sold into a Peking opera troupe. Having hard times in the troupe the only warmth he receives is by his senior Shitou. A decade later, this duo was inseparable as partners on stage as Chen Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou. They swore to play together in the farewell my concubine a piece they are famous for, for the rest of their lives. The twist unfolds when Duan decides to marry a prostitute and begins to distance himself from Chen.
7. Back To 1942
Back to 1942 is a movie adapted from the novel Remembering 1942 by Liu Zhenyun. The movie is set in Henan, china in the winter during second Sino-Japanese war where a major famine had occurred.
8. The Taking Of Tiger Mountain
This movie is based on the novel Tracks in the Snowy Forest. It’s a depiction of a group of soldiers on a mission to retake land overrun by bandits. The movie opens in the wake of World War 2 with unit 203 of the people’s liberations army running low basic necessities during winter.
9. Chronicles Of The Ghostly Tribes
This movie is based on the novel written Zhang Muye’s best-selling fantasy novel series Ghost Blows Out the Light. The movie shows the adventures of former soldier Hu Bayi. An explosion leads to a cavern with unfamiliar bones. An archaeologist explains that the site could be the mythical ghost tribe. Hu Bayi teams up with the archaeologist and his daughter.
10. Aftershock
Aftershock is a movie adapted from Aftershock by Zhang Ling. the movie is about the aftermath of an earthquake of magnitude of 7.8 that had hit Tangshan in 1976. It tells the story of Li Yuanni’s story and they had been separated because of this disaster.
