"Journey to the West" is the most widely disseminated work among the four masterpieces of Chinese classics, according to its filming countless film and television works, the most classic of which is the 86th edition of "Journey to the West", once released, it sensationalized the country, each David TV competed to rotate, and to this day is still the most replayed TV series in winter and summer vacations, replayed more than 3,000 times, but still tireless.
86 edition of Journey to the West
In fact, as early as 1927, China filmed a wonderful clip of "Journey to the West" and named it "Pansi Cave", which is also the earliest "Journey to the West" work filmed in China, which occupies a pivotal position in the history of China's early film development!
1927 edition of Journey to the West
The 1927 version of "Journey to the West", directed by Dan Duyu, was filmed in a film studio in Shanghai, taking the way of shooting and broadcasting, once it was released, it immediately caused a sensation in the whole Shanghai Beach, and the major theaters in Shanghai once had a difficult situation to find tickets.
Stills from the 1927 edition of Journey to the West
The film was on fire not only at home, but also overseas, and in Nanyang, the theaters to watch "Journey to the West" were full, and even Norway showed it in Norway as the first Chinese film to be imported, which is said to be the first Asian film to be screened in Norway.
However, it is such a popular film at home and abroad, only after the release of the first episode, it was urgently stopped by the authorities, and even with the follow-up shooting, it is a pity. So, why was this "Journey to the West" stopped at that time?
The editor believes that the reason why this film was stopped at that time was mainly for the following three reasons:
1 . In 1927, only 10 years after the overthrow of the Qing court, just entered the Republic of China, the people's thinking was conservative, the film was exposed, heavy makeup was smeared, and it was considered to be offensive.
2 . The movie is eerie, some adults are scared when they see it, let alone children, it is said that this is still a silent movie.
3 . With the advent of the new trend of thought, aspiring young people are seeking ideological emancipation, which is not suitable for publicizing cattle, ghosts, and snake gods.
However, fortunately, in 2014, this banned movie was re-released in China, and friends who have not seen it can go to the Internet to search and feel the charm of "Journey to the West" 94 years ago, maybe it has a different flavor!
It is worth mentioning that in 2011, when the Norwegian National Library was counting the film and television materials, it found the film of the 1927 edition of "Journey to the West" and carried out technical restoration, and sent a copy of the film to China on April 15, 2014.