The Mermaid (1965 film)
7.4 /10 1 Votes7.4
Director Li Kao Duration Country Hong Kong | 7.2/10 Genre Fantasy, Musical Music director Eddie Wang, Wang Fu-ling Writer Cheh Chang Language Mandarin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Release date January 29, 1965 (1965-01-29) Initial release January 29, 1965 (Hong Kong) Cast Ivy Ling Po (Zhang Zhen), Ching Lee (Carp Spirit), Ouyang Sha Fei (Madam Chin), Kuang Chao Chiang (Tortoise Spirit), Angela Pan (Street Performer)Similar movies Chang Cheh wrote the screenplay for The Mermaid and The Female Prince |
The mermaid 1964 shaw brothers official trailer
The Mermaid is a 1965 Hong Kong Huangmei opera film. It was directed by Kao Li and produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, based on the 16th-century Chinese play A Tale of Goddess of Mercy's Fish Basket (觀音菩薩魚籃記).
Contents
- The mermaid 1964 shaw brothers official trailer
- Synopsis
- Mortals
- Mythical Characters
- Original Soundtrack
- Awards and nominations
- References
Like most Huangmei opera films that she starred in, actress Ivy Ling Po portrayed a male character. Her co-star Li Ching portrayed two different characters, a human girl and a carp who transformed into her image.
Synopsis
Zhang Zhen's family had fallen on hard times but remembering the bethrothal agreement between his father and the prime minister, Master Chin, he set off for his fiance's home. When he arrived, he was distressed to receive a cold reception from his future father-in-law, who looked down on him because he was poor and was willing to fulfill his promise only after Zhang Zhen had successfully become the top scholar. He bade Zhang Zhen to stay at the Green Waves Study and prepare.
After a year, Zhang Zhen still had not achieved the status of top scholar. His pampered and spoilt bethrothed, Peony, after the initial introduction had already forgotten about him. All he had for a companion, were the carp and the denizens of the pond by the study. The carp spirit was touched by his care for the fish and his loneliness. She visited him one winter's night in the guise of Peony and was further impressed with his sensitive and gentlemanly considerations for her wellbeing. She managed to persuade him that she was of like mind with his philosophies, acknowledging their bethrothal and her support in his endeavors. Thus a relationship was formed.
One night in spring, during the lantern festival, Zhang Zhen mistook the real Peony for his beloved and was rebuffed. Her father promptly threw him out. Shocked by his beloved's turn-about, enraged by the betrayal, disgusted with the materialistic and sanctimonious unprincipled attitudes of both father and daughter, he stormed off to return home. The carp spirit went after him and convinced him of her sincerity, telling him too that she was with child. Both decided to return to Zhang Zhen's home, 300 miles away. They attended the lantern festivities along their journey and were seen by Peony's father who thought Zhang Zhen had committed the worst of sins.
When two Peonies appeared, the household was thrown into an uproar. Even the righteous Judge Pao could not come to a settlement. Finally, the father summoned an exorcist to chase away the evil spirit. The carp spirit hastily released Zhang Zhen from the shed where he was imprisoned and convinced him to run away with her. However, they were beset by the Celestial Generals and gods who were summoned to subdue her. In despair, she told Zhang Zhen the truth and was gratified when he vowed to stay by her. Just as she was about to be killed, the Goddess of Mercy intervened. The carp spirit was given two choices, return with the Goddess to continue her training to be an immortal or forsake all her powers and become human.
Mortals
Mythical Characters
Original Soundtrack
The singing was performed by Ivy Ling Po, Tsin Ting and Liu Yun.
Awards and nominations
12th Asian Film Festival (1965)
References
The Mermaid (1965 film) WikipediaThe Mermaid (1965 film) IMDb