Romance of the Three Kingdoms (TV series)

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a Chinese television series adapted from the classical 14th century novel of the same title by Luo Guanzhong. The series was produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and was first aired on the network in 1994. It spanned a total of 84 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long. One of the most expensive television series produced at the time, the project was completed over four years and involved over 400,000 cast and crew members, including divisions of the People's Liberation Army from the Beijing, Nanjing and Chengdu military regions. Some of the dialogues spoken by characters were adapted directly from the novel. Extensive battle scenes, such as the battles of Guandu, Red Cliffs and Xiaoting, were also live-acted.

For the 2010 television series based on the same novel, see Three Kingdoms (TV series).
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
DVD cover art
Traditional三國演義
Simplified三国演义
MandarinSānguó Yǎnyì
GenreHistorical drama
Based onRomance of the Three Kingdoms
by Luo Guanzhong
Screenplay byDu Jiafu
Li Yibo
Zhou Kai
Zhu Xiaoping
Ye Shisheng
Liu Shusheng
Directed byWang Fulin
Zhang Shaolin
Shen Haofang
Sun Guangming
Zhang Zhongyi
Cai Xiaoqing
StarringSun Yanjun
Tang Guoqiang
Bao Guo'an
Wu Xiaodong
Lu Shuming
Li Jingfei
Theme music composerGu Jianfen
Opening themeGungun Changjiang Dongshishui (滚滚长江东逝水) performed by Yang Hongji
Ending themeLishi De Tiankong (历史的天空) performed by Mao Amin
ComposersGu Jianfen
Li Yiding
Wang Xian
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes84
Production
Executive producersYou Shijun
Zhang Guangqian
Shan Yusheng
Zhang Jizhong
Hao Heming
ProducersWang Feng
Ren Dahui
Dai Linfeng
Yang Weiguang
Zhang Tianmin
Yu Changhua
Zhou Ming
Liu Jinru
Production locationsHebei
Inner Mongolia
Sichuan
Ningxia
Gansu
Qinghai
Tibet
Jiangsu
Hubei
Yunnan
CinematographyChen Jun
Wang Dianchen
Liu Shuliang
Bi Fujian
Zhang Shaolin
Zhao Xinchang
Gu Qiming
Running time45 minutes per episode
Production companyCCTV
Release
Original networkCCTV
First shown in1994

The series is widely seen as among the best period dramas in China and appraised for capturing the grand scale of the novel's story, themes and characters while maintaining its artistic and historical value. [1][2] The show has a 9.5 rating on Douban from over 89,030 reviews.

List of episodes

The series is divided into five parts and each part has a different executive producer and director(s).

Part One
  • Title: 第一部：群雄逐鹿 (Part One: Heroes compete for power)
  • Executive producer: You Shijun
  • Director(s): Shen Haofang, Cai Xiaoqing
#Rough translation of title (in English)Original title (in Chinese)
1Oath of the Peach Garden桃园三结义
2The Ten Attendants cause political turmoil十常侍乱政
3Dong Zhuo takes control of the capital董卓霸京师
4Cao Cao presents a sword孟德献刀
5The three heroes fight Lü Bu三英战吕布
6The Chain-links Strategy连环计
7Fengyi Pavilion凤仪亭
8Offering Xu Province thrice三让徐州
9Sun Ce builds a dynasty孙策立业
10Shooting an arrow through a halberd辕门射戟
11Battle of Wancheng宛城之战
12White Gate Tower (part 1)白门楼 (上)
13White Gate Tower (part 2)白门楼 (下)
14Discussing about heroes over drinks煮酒论英雄
15Yuan Shao and Cao Cao mobilise their armies袁曹起兵
16Guan Yu lists three conditions关羽约三事
17Returning riches and a seal挂印封金
18A lone journey over a thousand li千里走单骑
19Reunion in Gucheng古城相会
20Sun Ce's death孙策之死
21Battle of Guandu (part 1)官渡之战 (上)
22Battle of Guandu (part 2)官渡之战 (下)
23Yuan Shao is defeated大破袁绍

Part Two
  • Title: 第二部：赤壁鏖战 (Part Two: The Battle of Red Cliffs)
  • Executive producer: Zhang Guangqian
  • Director: Cai Xiaoqing
#Rough translation of title (in English)Original title (in Chinese)
24Leaping across the Tan Stream on horseback跃马檀溪
25Liu Bei seeks the virtuous刘备求贤
26Turning back to recommend Zhuge Liang回马荐诸葛
27Three visits to the thatched cottage三顾茅庐
28The inferno at Bowang Slope火烧博望坡
29Assisting the people across the river携民渡江
30Arguing with the Confucian scholars舌战群儒
31Cleverly instigating Zhou Yu智激周瑜
32Zhou Yu's plan goes to waste周瑜空设计
33The Heroes' Gathering群英会
34Borrowing arrows with straw boats草船借箭
35The Self-torture Ruse苦肉计
36Pang Tong presents the Chain-links Strategy庞统献连环
37Thrusting a spear and composing a poem横槊赋诗
38Zhuge Liang prays for the wind诸葛祭风
39Burning of the Red Cliffs火烧赤壁
40Seizing Nan Commandery by wit智取南郡
41Conquering the four commanderies力夺四郡
42The Beauty Scheme美人计
43Ganlu Temple甘露寺
44Return to Jing Province回荆州
45Zhou Yu is infuriated thrice三气周瑜
46The Crouching Dragon attends a funeral卧龙吊孝
47Slicing off beard and discarding robe割须弃袍

Part Three
  • Title: 第三部：三国鼎立 (Part Three: Emergence of the Three Kingdoms)
  • Executive producer: Shan Yusheng
  • Director: Sun Guangming
#Rough translation of title (in English)Original title (in Chinese)
48Zhang Song presents a map张松献图
49Liu Bei enters Sichuan刘备入川
50The Phoenix falls at a slope凤雏落坡
51Righteously releasing Yan Yan义释严颜
52Conquering western Sichuan夺战西川
53Attending a banquet alone and armed with only a blade单刀赴会
54Battle of Hefei合肥会战
55Contention for the succession立嗣之争
56Mount Dingjun定军山
57Strategic capture of Hanzhong巧取汉中
58Drowning the seven armies水淹七军
59Leaving Maicheng走麦城
60Cao Cao's death曹操之死
61Cao Pi usurps the Han throne曹丕篡汉
62Campaign against Wu兴兵伐吴
63Burning of the linked camps火烧连营
64Calmly holding off five enemy forces安居平五路

Part Four
  • Title: 第四部：南征北战 (Part Four: Battles in the south and north)
  • Executive producer: Zhang Jizhong
  • Director: Zhang Shaolin
#Rough translation of title (in English)Original title (in Chinese)
65Troops cross the Lu River兵渡泸水
66Seeking a path out in dire straits绝路问津
67Meng Huo is captured seven times七擒孟获
68Northern Expedition出师北伐
69Winning over Jiang Wei收姜维
70Sima Yi returns司马复出
71Empty Fort Strategy空城退敌
72Sima Yi obtains a seal司马取印
73Battle of wits at Mount Qi祁山斗智
74Zhuge Liang disguises himself as a god诸葛妆神
75Six campaigns on Mount Qi六出祁山
76The fire is extinguished in Shangfang Valley火熄上方谷
77Autumn winds on the Wuzhang Plains秋风五丈原

Part Five
  • Title: 第五部：三分归一 (Part Five: Three united as one)
  • Executive producer: Hao Hengmin
  • Director: Zhang Zhongyi
#Rough translation of title (in English)Original title (in Chinese)
78Feigning illness to trick Cao Shuang诈病赚曹爽
79Conflict in the Wu palace吴宫干戈
80Siege of Mount Tielong兵困铁笼山
81Sima Zhao commits regicide司马昭弑君
82Nine campaigns on the Central Plains九伐中原
83Stealth march to Yinping偷渡阴平
84Three united under Jin三分归晋

Cast

Due to the time taken to complete the project (four years), there were numerous instances of (1) multiple actors playing the same character or (2) the same actor taking on multiple roles. An example of case (1) is the character Zhang Liao, who is portrayed by Xu Shaohua in episode 12, Zhang Yakun in episode 39, and Wang Weiguo in episode 54. Chen Zhihui is an extreme example of case (2) because he played a total of four roles – three as generals from Wei, Shu and Wu (Xu Chu, Liao Hua and Taishi Ci) and one as minor warlord Bao Xin. Two other prominent examples of case (2) were Wu Xiaodong and Hong Yuzhou – Wu portrayed Sun Jian in episode 5 and Sun Quan from episode 30 onwards; Hong played a young Yuan Shao in episode 5 and Zhou Yu from episode 9 onwards.

Main cast

Other cast
Sorted by role in alphabetical order

Music

The music for the series was composed by Gu Jianfen (谷建芬) and Li Yiding (李一丁).

#Track titleCreditsNotes
1滚滚长江东逝水
(pinyin: Gǔngǔn Chángjiāng Dōngshì Shuĭ)
(translation: The Billowing Yangtze River Flows East)		Lyrics by Yang Shen;
performed by Yang Hongji		The opening theme song and the ending theme song of episode 84.
2这一拜
(pinyin: Zhè Yī Bài)
(translation: This Oath)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Liu Huan		Played during the Peach Garden Oath scene in episode 1 and during the three brothers' reunion scene in episode 19 and the ending theme song of episode 19.
3烈火雄风
(pinyin: Lièhuŏ Xíóngfēng)
(translation: Raging Fire and Majestic Wind)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Lü Jianhong		Played during Lü Bu's riding scene in episode 3.
4貂蝉已随清风去
(pinyin: Diāochán Yĭsuí Qīngfēng Qù)
(translation: Diaochan Has Gone with the Wind)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Wan Shanhong		Played during the last scene showing Diaochan's departure in episode 7 and the ending theme song of episode 7.
5淯水吟
(pinyin: Yùshuĭ Yín)
(translation: Ode to the Yu River)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Mao Amin		Played during the Battle of Wancheng scene in episode 11 and when Cao Cao mourns those who died at Wancheng in episode 12.
6明主求贤兮却不知吾
(pinyin: Míngzhŭ Qíuxián Xī Què Bùzhī Wú)
(translation: The Wise Ruler Seeks Talents But Knows Me Not)		Lyrics by Luo GuanzhongPlayed during the scene where Liu Bei meets Xu Shu in episode 25.
7壮士功名尚未成
(pinyin: Zhuàngshì Gōngmíng Shàngwèi Chéng)
(translation: A Hero Has Yet to Achieve Glory)		Lyrics by Zhu XiaopingPlayed during the scene showing Zhuge Liang's friends singing in episode 26.
8谁肯论英雄
(pinyin: Shéikěn Lùn Yīngxióng)
(translation: Who Would Talk About Heroes)		Lyrics by Zhu XiaopingPlayed during the scene showing Zhuge Liang's friends singing in episode 26.
9一夜北风寨
(pinyin: Yīyè Běifēng Zhài)
(translation: A Night in the Northern Wind Fort)		Lyrics by Luo GuanzhongPlayed during Huang Chengyan's scene in episode 27.
10有为歌
(pinyin: Yŏuwéi Gē)
(translation: A Promising Song)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Dai Jianming		Played during Zhuge Liang's scene in episode 27.
11民得平安天下安
(pinyin: Míndé Píng'ān Tiānxià Ān)
(translation: The World is Peaceful When the People Are at Peace)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Cui Jinghao		Played during the scene showing Liu Bei crossing the river with civilians in episode 29.
12当阳常志此心丹
(pinyin: Dāngyáng Chángzhì Cĭ Xīndān)
(translation: A Heart of Courage in Dangyang)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Cui Jinghao		Played during Zhao Yun's heroics scene in episode 30.
13豹头环眼好兄弟
(pinyin: Bàotóu Huányăn Hăo Xiōngdì)
(translation: The Good Brother with a Leopard's Head and Big Round Eyes)		Lyrics by Wang Jian; performed by Yin XiangjiePlayed during Zhang Fei's scene in episode 30.
14丈夫歌
(pinyin: Zhàngfū Gē)
(translation: A Song for Men)		Lyrics by Luo Guanzhong;
performed by Lü Jianhong		Played during Zhou Yu's dance scene in episode 33.
15短歌行
(pinyin: Duăngē Xíng)
(translation: A Short Song)		Lyrics by Cao Cao;
performed by Yang Hongji		Played during Cao Cao's poem recitation scene in episode 37.
16子夜四时歌
(pinyin: Zĭyè Sìshí Gē)
(translation: The Midnight Song)		Lyrics adapted from a Southern Dynasties era poem;
performed in a Wu accent		Played during Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang's wedding scene in episode 43.
17江上行
(pinyin: Jiāngshàng Xíng)
(translation: Sail Along the River)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Cui Jinghao		Played during the scene showing Guan Yu's arrival by boat in episode 53.
18七步诗
(pinyin: Qībù Shī)
(translation: The Seven Steps Poem)		Lyrics by Cao Zhi;
performed by Liu Huan		Played during Cao Zhi's poem recitation scene in episode 61.
19哭诸葛
(pinyin: Kū Zhūgě)
(translation: Crying Zhuge)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Liu Huan		Played during Zhuge Liang's funeral scene in episode 77.
20历史的天空
(pinyin: Lìshĭ Dē Tiānkōng)
(translation: The Sky of History)		Lyrics by Wang Jian;
performed by Mao Amin		The ending theme song of Episode 1 to Episode 6 and Episode 8 to Episode 18 and Episode 20 to Episode 83.

See also

References
  1. 刘书亮; 张宗伟 (2000). "《史中寻诗——电视剧〈三国演义〉赏析》". 《中国优秀电影电视剧赏析》 [Appreciating Analysing Chinese Famous Films and TV Playes]. 北京广播学院出版社. ISBN 978-78-10-04902-3.
  2. 周金华 (1995). "辉煌的史诗,壮美的画卷:评电视连续剧《三国演义》". 中国广播电视学刊 [China Radio & TV Academic Journal] (in Chinese). 3.
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