Twilight of a Nation

Twilight of a Nation

DVD cover art
Also known as 'Taiping Heavenly Kingdom'
Genre Historical drama
Starring Ray Lui
Felix Wong
Opening theme Tin Ha Yat Ka (永不遺憾) performed by Roman Tam
Composer(s) Joseph Koo
Country of origin Hong Kong
Original language(s) Cantonese
No. of episodes 45
Production
Producer(s) Siu Sang
Location(s) Hong Kong
Running time 45 minutes per episode[1]
Production company(s) TVB
Release
Original network TVB Jade
First shown in 28 November 1988
Twilight of a Nation
Traditional Chinese 太平天國
Simplified Chinese 太平天国
Literal meaning Heavenly Kingdom of Peace

Twilight of a Nation is a Hong Kong television series based on the events of the Taiping Rebellion and the rise and fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the late Qing dynasty. The 45 episodes long series was produced by Siu Sang and was first aired on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in November 1988. It was broadcast again on TVB in 1996. The theme songs and insert songs in the series were performed by Roman Tam.

Plot

The story begins in the late Qing dynasty when the government is plagued by corruption and foreign powers threaten to carve up China. Hong Xiuquan (Hung Sau-chuen), born in an extremely poor Hakka family, participates in the imperial examination, hoping to pass and become a government official in order to provide for his family. He fails in each attempt and suffers from a nervous breakdown. Hong joins the Heaven and Earth Society later. One day, he has a revelation dream to spread Christianity and claims that he is the brother of Jesus Christ, and has been empowered by God to destroy the demons (referring to the Qing forces). After rallying a group of supporters, Hong started the God-Worshipping Society to spread his religious ideas. Hong has another dream again, in which he is bestowed with a superior divine sword, known as the "Demon-Slaying Sword". Hong leads his society to start the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing government and found the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Cast

Note: Some of the characters' names are in Cantonese romanisation.

Rebel forces

Cast Role
Ray Lui Hung Sau-chuen (洪秀全)
Felix Wong Yeung Sau-ching (楊秀清)
Li Kwok-lun Fung Wan-san (馮雲山)
Sean Lau Siu Chiu-kwai (蕭朝貴)
Chan Wing-chun Wai Cheung-fai (韋昌輝)
Newton Lai Shek Tat-hoi (石達開)
Aaron Kwok Chun Yat-kong (秦日綱)
Jimmy Au Lee Sau-sing (李秀成)
Lee Yiu-king Chan Yuk-sing (陳玉成)
Leung Kit-wah So Fung (蘇鳳)
Sheren Tang Hon Bo-ying (韓寶英)
Teresa Mo Yip Ling (葉苓)
Money Chan Man-yee Hung Suen-kiu (洪宣嬌)
Kiki Sheung To Wai-tsan (杜惠珍)
Yung Wai-man Lai Suk-kuen (賴淑娟)
Carrie Choi Kar-lei Fu Sin-cheung (傅善祥)
Michael Tao Lee Chiu-sau (李昭壽)
Bak Man-biu Mung Dak-yan (蒙得恩)
Chu Tit-wo Law Tai-kong (羅大綱)
Stella Wong Yim Fu-yung (艷芙蓉)
Leung Hung-wah Hong Yan-fat (洪仁發)
Chun Hung Hung Yan-chung (洪仁忠)
Ma Chung-tak Lai Chung (賴忠)
Ho Kwai-lam Miu Pui-lam (苗佩霖)
Derek Kwok extra
Wayne Lai extra

Imperial forces

Cast Role
Lau Kong Tsang Kwok-fan (曾國藩)
Wong Wan-choi Lee Hung-cheung (李鴻章)
Bobby Au-yeung Tsang Kwok-chuen (曾國荃)
Alan Au Tso Chung-tong (左宗棠)
Cheung Ying-choi To-kwong Emperor (道光)
Nixon Pang Ham-fung Emperor (咸豐)
Mary Hon Consort Yi (懿貴妃)
Pau Fong Lam Tsak-tsui (林則徐)
Kong Ngai Kei-ying (耆英)
Stephan Yip Chiu Sung-nin (趙崇年)
Wilson Tsui Kong Chung-yuen (江忠源)
Chan Tik-hak Heung Wing (向榮)
Mak Chi-wan Cheung Chiu (張釗)
Fung Kwok Tin Fong (田芳)
Au Ngok Kei-sin (琦善)
Mak Ho-wai Yik-san (奕山)
Kwan Hoi-san Squire See (施員外)

See also

References

  1. (Chinese) Dianying.com. "Dianying.com." 太平天國 (1988). Retrieved on 2010-03-09.
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