I am not talking about the game although its really good if your into strategies. But the history itself. Is anyone into this age old stuff? If so there is a movie by John Woo I'd easily recommend by the name of Red Cliff and Red Cliff 2. Long movies, about 2 and half hours each but easily more then half of it is fighting. And again if your into the history as such you would like it for the most part. Ofcourse it isnt entirely accurate but then that might make for a even longer movie that takes a even longer time to make sense? If you dont know which games are based on this history then Google Koei as they make the Dynasty Warriors (hack and slash) and Romance of the 3 Kingdom series (hardcore, in depth strategy). But back to the subject, good movie.
The Chinese TV drama versions of it are usually pretty good, even though the acting and script imo aren't great. But it follows the book/history decently which means the plot is good.
UUSEE has it. I thought the movie was just OK. My personal opinion is that the novel itself is not easy to be adapted to movies. The style of narration and the beauty of how words are so calculated and accurately chosen can only be cherished when you read it. But of course I am a biased reader.
The novel didn't follow history, and have been often criticized by serious scholars throughout the history.
Sadly, in my mind, the novel = the history. In fact I would even go a step further and said the comic books + video games + TV shows + Plus all the other pop culture interpretations of it probably shaped my knowledge of that period as much as the novel. Un-related, but I've heard some rave review on another historical fiction "Ming Chao Na Xie Shi", I've read a few chapter and found it amusing.
Don't feel bad. I know the history and the novel, and I still love the novel. Most of those scholars that criticize the novel being historical distortion need to get their azz out of their heads IMO. People love the novel not because it documents history ( History buffs can always read history books to find out what happened), but the art of narration, the beauty of language, the depiction of great battle scenes and build ups, the political conniving and etc, etc the novel present us is what makes one of most important literature in China. And nothing wrong by learning about it through Koei games or Comics.I played a lot Koei's RTK games. They are great. These days even kids in China probably wouldn't be patient enough to read through the novel. The novel is written in a rather archaic form of Chinese, so it is difficult to read. But, I encourage you to read it if you haven't. The original is better than the movie or comic books. I am not particularly interested in the history of Ming Dynasty. I always thought it represented the downfall of China's glory. But you still remember Wang Zhizhi, I heard he is really big on reading about Ming history. (not Yao Ming)
Is the book in English or just Chinese? If it's in english, what is the name of the novel? I have the entire ROT3K Chinese tv drama. It's pretty sweet but gets repetitive near the end. I believe it was like a 40 disc cd collection.
because Qing is the worst. seriously though, Ming had voyages to Africa, built the Grand Canal, and fortified the Great wall. very advanced technology and economy. like every dynasty, it declined due to a bunch of reasons. but it had a good run in the first half.
I watched the whole 75 episode series. I believe it was made in the early 90s, but it was great. There were a few inaccurate scenes, but I guess that's how it goes for everything.
Oh like I've said, I've read parts of it. I'm not sure, but to me it's equal reading Shakespeare in Chinese. Most likely not something you just pick up and read unless it's something required by school, and because it was written so long ago, it's not a easy read. I've read parts when I get into it, but not something I'd stay up read for.
I used to be really into the Chinese historical fiction novels when I was 10, but never got into Three Kingdoms stuff. The Water Margin (Shui Hu), Yue Fei, and Yang JiaJiang were better suited to my taste.
No but if you speak Chinese you can rent it a one of the Chinese video stores (are there still any after BT became popular and people just DL there stuff)?
Or you can buy them on Ebay or Amazon with English subs. That series was made end of 80s or early 90s, probably not the best made TV drama by today's standards.
