1911

China, 2011, 100 minutes, Colour
Jackie Chan, Winston Chao, Bingbing Li, Joan Chen.
Directed by Jackie Chan and Li Zhang.

For better enjoyment of this historical film, and for better understanding, a reading of some of the background to Chinese history and the role of Sun Yat Sen in toppling the dynasty that had ruled the country for centuries is highly recommended.

While the subtitled version of 1911 has a great deal of information for the audience, it is difficult to keep much of it in mind.

Jackie Chan has co-directed the film and has a significant role but it is subordinate to that of Winston Chao who portrays the wise and dignified revolutionary who challenged the powers that were, pleaded his case to international politicians and bankers, who encouraged rebel in their stands against the government and the military and who finally achieves a new China. Jackie Chan plays his associate, a warrior, a survivor who inspires younger rebels. While there are some martial arts moments, this is a serious Jackie Chan film, made for the centenary of the events of 1911.

The scope of the film is vast at times, especially in battle sequences. However, the tone is very patriotic indeed, the dialogue highlighting the corruption of the dynasty and the integrity and heroism of the rebels, the sacrifice of young men for the country, the sufferings of the women.

To that extent, it all comes across rather conventionally and, if one tries to work out which army is that of the uprising and which the government, it is not always easy, so that the war scenes are just like those of other films. This is the area where Jackie Chan appears.

The non-military scenes are more interesting because of the tension, the initial war losses, the stubborn stances of the dowager empress (Joan Chen), the changing loyalties of her officials, the future of the boy emperor (the subject of Bertolucci’s Oscar-winner of 1987, The Last Emperor, which also featured Joan Chen). The career and diplomacy of Sun Yat Sen are also interesting, his dealings with foreign powers, asking them not to lend money to the failing dynasty and his persuading them that the future of China is with the rebels – in under forty years, Mao Tse Tung led is revolution.

A film for audiences interested in the period and the characters – but some preparation with historical background is advised.

1. A film for a Chinese audience? For overseas audiences?

2. The centenary of the revolution of 1911? The status of China in 2011?

3. Jackie Chan and his interest in making a historical film? Subordinating his personal style to the history? Winston Chau and his portrayals of Sun Yat Sen? A film of patriotism?

4. Audience knowledge of the characters and situations? The amount of information given throughout the film?

5. The recreation of the period, cities, Beijing, Guangzhou, the pomp and spectacle of the emperor’s court? The action sequences, the battles? The international sequences? The musical score?

6. The role of the dynasty, ruling in China, the corruption, the boy emperor, the dowager empress? Her presumption? The Chinese presuming that the dynasty would continue uninterrupted? The portrait of officials and their loyalties? War?

7. The rebels, the association in the south, the young enthusiasts, the motivations? Huang Xhing and his role, the woman, the fights, the detail, the strategies, the dangers? Injuries? The news and Sun Yat Sen? Loyalty to him? His vision?

8. Huang Xhing and his character, his role, his injury and survival, his liaison and the work of his wife? Their contribution to the revolution?

9. Sun Yat Sen, the character, the history and background, nature of his leadership? His antagonism towards the dynasty? The ideologue for the revolution? His range of contacts? The ups and downs of the battles, the uncertainty? His control? Negotiations? Financial issues in the empire, in Europe, talking with the politicians, the bankers, his speeches? His handling himself with dignity? Persuasive?

10. Xu Zongham, the opening, her role, the bond with Huang Zhing? The initial coolness, working together?

11. The young men, their fighting, deaths, capture, interrogations, death by drowning? Their being held up as martyrs?

12. The officials of the dynasty, their loyalties, the discussions, proposals? Mediation? The ambitions of the various officials? The official being persuaded by the revolutionaries, his wanting to be president, his press conference?

13. Sun Yat Sen, achieving what he set out to do – the press conference and his stepping down, his motives?

14. A page in Chinese history – and enormous change for China in the 20th century?