According to 163, the release of the 1986 version of Journey to the West by China Central Television (CCTV) can be considered a miracle in the history of Chinese cinema. The film was created by a dedicated group of artists pursuing artistic meaning despite the difficult material conditions, especially regarding technology and financing. Their persistence led to the creation of a classic masterpiece.
Today, when recalling the impressive stories behind the creative process of this film, especially the actors who faced dangerous situations due to the special effects, audiences still can’t help but admire the artistic spirit of the cast.
Sources indicate that the film Journey to the West: The Legend of the Monkey King might be considered the most dangerous episode, as the cast had to take many life-threatening risks during filming, with the lead actor, Liu Xiaoling, nearly losing his life.
In Journey to the West: The Legend of the Monkey King, the thrilling scenes captivated audiences. Filmmakers utilized live-action stunts to realize these sequences.
To create a sense of realism, scenes involving fire were performed using real pyrotechnics, resulting in extremely dangerous situations. However, due to outdated filming technology, safety measures for actors were limited. Liu Xiaoling, portraying Sun Wukong, had to face real flames during a scene where the character was engulfed in fire. The actor nearly suffered severe burns on set.
Along with this, aerial stunts were executed using thin steel wires. On numerous occasions, actors were injured; notably, Sha Dandan, who experienced a fall during filming, resulting in injuries to both legs.
The production costs of the film at that time reached 6 million yuan. Director Yang Zhiqiang initially aimed to create 30 episodes but only managed to produce 15 due to budget constraints. The film team faced significant challenges when director Yang Zhiqiang was investigated, leading to delays in the filming process. Ultimately, only 9 episodes of the series were completed.
Additionally, the iconic soundtrack Vân Cung Tán Âm has become a staple for audiences, earning it the nickname “young death song” due to its somewhat controversial elements. The director, Yang Zhiqiang, remained committed to blending traditional folk music with modern cinematic sounds. Furthermore, he had to write a lengthy report to analyze the reasons behind choosing Vân Cung Tán Âm as the main theme song.
Although the creative process for Journey to the West in 1986 was fraught with difficulties, nearly 40 years later, it remains a work that has significantly influenced the cultural landscape of modern China, with over 4,000 broadcasts to date.
