1. Prologue: "Reveal" those gaps in the times
When we mention the seemingly cold word "goofs," you may first think of a flaw in a film or play. However, in the four classic masterpieces in the history of Chinese TV dramas - the 86 version of "Journey to the West", the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", the 94 version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and the 98 version of "Water Margin", "goofs" has become a unique "charm".
In these costume dramas, we can see that many modern elements are inadvertently incorporated into them, so that we can enjoy these behind-the-scenes anecdotes full of era differences while reminiscing about the classics.
Even the directors enthusiastically called: "Pick up your magnifying glass and take a look at these goofs!" These seemingly absurd but interesting "flaws" just add a unique charm to the replays of these old dramas.
Looking back at those hilarious goofs, it seems that people can travel back in time and space to witness the magnificent history of TV production.
2. Focus: Modern elements in "Journey to the West".
"Journey to the West" is a wonderful interpretation of the concept of God and Buddhism, and Tang monks and apprentices have gone through many difficulties and dangers to obtain the true scriptures. However, in the course of their unremitting efforts, there are occasional modern elements.
For example, in order to attract Tang Seng's attention, the red boy was actually covered with modern scotch tape, when the photographer took a close-up of Tang Seng, the background behind Tang Seng turned out to be a modern manhole cover, and even the tools for irrigating the peach orchard were made of modern PVC water pipes.
In addition, there are modern beautiful tourists wearing sunglasses, and telephone poles can be found everywhere. As for Sun Wukong's "Flying Sky" stunt, it is more like a "magical realism" expression technique, it turns out that he is riding a modern scooter and swimming in the clouds.
Looking back on the filming scene, one can't help but wonder: Was the film crew at that time too involved to distinguish between reality and fiction? Or did they deliberately integrate these modern elements that were cut and unorganized? I had to rely on the dedicated photographer brother to appear in front of the camera again and again to save this embarrassing situation of "modern time-travel".
3. Interlude: The Jiafu in "Dream of Red Mansions" has a different style
In "Dream of Red Mansions", Jia Baoyu also had many accidents when riding a horse. The originally heroic white pony suddenly turned into an ordinary brown horse in a certain shot, and Baoyu's dress magically took off a coat between entering and exiting the room.
It turns out that Jiafu is so "the fragrance of the red mansion is far from red"! Every place is filled with a dreamlike and mysterious atmosphere, which is fascinating. However, the most surprising thing is probably Lin Daiyu's "Funeral Flower" one-man show.
At that moment of deep melancholy, Daiyu was lonely with broken petals and dead leaves on her head, burying her inner grief, but in the next shot, she turned into a bouquet of blooming flowers, which is really laughable! It can be seen that the production team at that time put a lot of effort into the details to create this poignant atmosphere.
However, the personalities of the people in Jiafu are also ever-changing, just like the scene where Third Sister You appeared in the background of flowers, she was originally wearing a delicate red flower, but in the call of Second Sister You, she magically replaced it with a white flower.
The transformation from red to white, from broken to complete and vivid, is enough to prove the richness and diversity of the characters of Jiafu.
Fourth, the main transmission stage: Wu Song beats the tiger modern road
In contrast, the goofs in "Water Margin" seem a little too abrupt. First of all, the scene of Song Huizong splashing ink and writing, the large metal watch on his wrist that obviously came from the future world, and then look at the trendy hat on his head when Zhang San wanted to repair Lu Zhishen, which did not meet the ancient aesthetic standards at all.
What's even more outrageous is that in the classic scene of Wu Song's fight against the tiger, there were two modern bicycles, obviously the staff was too involved, and inadvertently integrated these vehicles through time and space into it;
However, we can't blame the production team, after all, the ancient work "Water Margin" is hundreds of episodes, and there will inevitably be some negligence in such a huge project. What's more, the shooting conditions were quite difficult back then, so the cameramen would add some "modern ideas" from time to time, such as scenes such as Song Jiang toasting and martial artists getting on the boat.
If we look deeper, we can see that even the plaque of Jingzhou City is blank! We are surprised to find that the TV series we watched in our early years is so full of loopholes! Regarding the appearance of the boy in the plaid shirt in the market, perhaps he is just a confused person who strayed into this place.
Characters: Gradually understand this process in depth, and gradually understand what the "bitter history" of TV dramas is. Those directors and cinematographers who have successfully created countless classic roles have been under a lot of pressure, so it is reasonable for some small flaws to appear.
However, it is precisely these seemingly strange but interesting "defects" that make us feel that unique and unforgettable fun when we look back on the past.
5. Interlude at the fork in the road: The Three Kingdoms entered Beiping without war
Looking at the goofs of the Three Kingdoms period again, I can't help but laugh. depicts the scene of Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu discussing countermeasures outside Xiaopei City, and from a distance, their demeanor is still the same.
However, when we look closely, we find that they are wearing modern leather shoes on their feet, and even the figures are walking along the river, and the architectural scene of a modern apartment is inadvertently intruded behind them.
However, nothing is more striking than the ubiquitous power poles. Whether it is behind Cao Cao, at Yuan Shao's banquet, or in the battle scene by the river, telephone poles can be seen everywhere.
These seemingly ridiculous shots undoubtedly add a cross-era comedy to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
One of the most surreal scenes is the part where Sun Jian transports grain and grass. It was supposed to be a serious and solemn picture, but due to a negligence of the photographer, two huge red bricks accidentally entered the camera and instantly became the focus of attention of the audience.
No wonder Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu were defeated by Cao Cao later, and I am afraid they were also tripped by these "red bricks".
As for when Cao Cao ordered the eastern expedition to destroy Liu Bei, the flagpole suddenly broke, and a modern cigarette came out of the corner of the ground, which was really unbearable. The picture seems to imply that the cigarettes that General Cao Cao casually discarded were as easy as he said "one of the three parts of the world".
6. Finale: Nostalgic taste for the farce
Even though those seemingly weird and absurd goofs in costume dramas play a vital role in seasoning when we reminisce about the four classic masterpieces, making every reading a unique charm.
And these strange and fascinating "flaws" and "episodes" are the perfect way for us to witness the wonderful film and television production process across time and space.
Just imagine, the mysterious scotch tape on the red child's body, the modern apartment on the battlefield of the Three Kingdoms, the bicycle that suddenly appears in the scene of Wu Song's fight against the tiger, and the red bricks in Cao Cao's army, how can these vibrant moments of "time and space interlacing" not make people laugh?
It is these seemingly prosaic goofs that give the masterpiece a unique and interesting experience when it is recreated, so that we can feast our eyes and feel the visual feast while the nostalgia arises spontaneously.