QQ reported that the 1986 film Journey to the West has become a classic in Chinese cinema. The actors involved in the film portray legendary characters that have left a lasting impression on audiences. Notably, the character Bai Long Ma (White Dragon Horse) is also famous in its own right. However, unlike other actors who became stars, Bai Long Ma’s ending was rather tragic.
In 1980, director Yuen Woo-ping was tasked with adapting the classic Chinese literary work Journey to the West for film. Initially, director Yuen Woo-ping did not consider casting Bai Long Ma, who is the steed of the monk Tang Seng. At that time, there was no breeding ground for this character, which complicated the filming process. Director Yuen Woo-ping decided to search in the Mo Gao Caves to find a suitable horse for filming.
However, the reality proved to be much more challenging than expected. The horses they found were not entirely white, which meant that if the film’s crew dressed them in white for the shoot, they would appear faded in color when it rained. Furthermore, some horses were quite stubborn and could not guarantee consistent cooperation during filming. Specifically, these horses lacked the “spirit” needed, while Bai Long Ma remained a vital character in the adaptation.
After some time, director Yuen Woo-ping headed to the Mongolian region to seek a horse that could adequately portray Bai Long Ma. However, this horse turned out to be a stallion that belonged to a local herder, making the initial intention of casting it for the film more difficult.
After many unsuccessful attempts, director Yuen Woo-ping eventually had to pay 800 RMB to purchase the horse, securing it from the herder. Bai Long Ma then followed the film crew, traveling to various locations both inside and outside China for shooting. The horse was noted for its impressive performance, showing a strong spirit and exceptional cooperation in every scene.
