San Mao Joins the Army (Chinese: 三毛从军记) is a 1992 Chinese comedy film directed and co-written by Zhang Jianya and starring Wei Zongwan and Jia Lin.[1][2][3][4] It is base on the Manhua of the same name by Zhang Leping. It was produced and distributed by Shanghai Film Studio. The film premiered in China in 1992. The film follows the story of San Mao and his comrade-in-arms Laogui in the Battle of Shanghai.
| San Mao Joins the Army | |
|---|---|
| Traditional | 三毛從軍記 |
| Simplified | 三毛从军记 |
| Mandarin | Sān Máo Cóngjūnjì |
| Directed by | Zhang Jianya |
| Written by | Zhang Leping Zhang Jianya |
| Based on | San Mao Joins the Army by Zhang Leping |
| Produced by | Li Dianliang |
| Starring | Jia Lin Wei Zongwan |
| Cinematography | Huang Baohua |
| Edited by | Sun Huimin |
Production company | Shanghai Film Studio |
| Distributed by | Shanghai Film Studio |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Language | Mandarin |
In 1937, after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Second Sino-Japanese War breaks out. San Mao (Jia Lin), a wandering orphan, joins the army, where he meets his comrade-in-arms Laogui (Wei Zongwan), they participate in the Battle of Shanghai lead by Feng Yuxiang, Chen Cheng and Zhang Zhizhong in Shanghai. One day, they are dropped into the jungle, but the plane never comes to pick them up again. They live in the jungle for a long time and become savages. One day, a plane flies over the jungle and scatters numerous leaflets. After reading the leaflet, they know that the war is over.
Douban gave the drama 8.3 out of 10.
| Date | Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1st Beijing College Student Film Festival | Best Film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won | |
| Special Award for Artistic Innovation | Won | ||||
| Best Visual Effects | Won | ||||
| 5th Bingxue Film Festival | Silver Award | Won | |||
| Fantasporto | Judges Award | Won | |||
| 50th Venice International Film Festival | Senate Special Award | Won | |||
| 13th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Makeup | Nominated | |||
| Best Children's film | Won | ||||
| Best Director | Zhang Jianya | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Wei Zongwan | Won | |||
| 1994 | 1st Baogang Elegant Art Award | Outstanding Film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won | |
| 1995 | 6th Chinese Film Tongniu Award | Outstanding Children's Film | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director | Zhang Jianya | Won | |||
| 2005 | One of the Most Memorable 100 Chinese Films | — | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |