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Journey to the West (1986 TV series)

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For other uses, see Journey to the West (disambiguation).

Journey to the West
Promotional poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese西遊記
Simplified Chinese西游记
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXī Yóu Jì
Genre
  • Chinese mythology
  • shenmo
  • fantasy
  • adventure
Based onJourney to the West
by Wu Cheng'en
Screenplay by
  • Dai Yinglu
  • Zou Yiqing
  • Yang Jie
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerXu Jingqing
Opening themeImmortal Sound Above Cloud Palace (云宫迅音)
Ending themeDare to Ask Where is the Road (敢问路在何方)
ComposerXu Jingqing
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes41 (40 on the YouTube release)
Production
Executive producers
  • Wang Feng
  • Ruan Ruolin
ProducerYang Jie
Production locationChina
CinematographyWang Chongqiu
Running time40–62 minutes (45 on the YouTube release)
Production companies
  • CCTV
  • China Television Production Center
  • 铁道部第十一工程局
Original release
NetworkCCTV
Release1 October 1986 (1986-10-01) –
18 February 2000 (2000-02-18)
Related
Wu Cheng'en and Journey to the West

Journey to the West is a Chinese television series adapted from Wu Cheng'en's 16th-century novel of the same name. It was directed by Yang Jie and stars Liu Xiao Ling Tong as Sun Wukong, Chi Chongrui as Tang Sanzang, Ma Dehua as Zhu Bajie, and Yan Huaili as Sha Wujing.

The show was first broadcast in Mainland China in 1982 with episodes being released annually before 25 episodes were collectively broadcast on CCTV in 1988. A second series totaling 16 episodes was filmed in 1998. The series concluded in 2000 with 41 episodes broadcast over 2 seasons.

Set in Tang-era China, Journey to the West follows the journey of Chinese Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his three disciples, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing on their pilgrimage to India.

Journey to the West attracted record viewership in China and gained national widespread popularity. The series has been praised for staying faithful to the novel and its opening and ending themes have become iconic tunes in the public conscious. In 1988, the show received a Feitian Award (Outstanding Artistry) and two Golden Eagle Awards (Best Television Series and Best Actor).

Premise

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Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang embarks on a holy pilgrimage to India seeking out and bringing back to China Buddhist scriptures. He is accompanied by three powerful disciples, Sun Wukong, a shapeshifting stone monkey and trickster who rebelled against Heaven, Zhu Bajie, a former Marshal Canopy of Heaven expelled for harassing the moon goddess Chang'e and subsequently reincarnated as a humanoid pig, and Sha Wujing, a former Curtain-Lifting General in Heaven expelled for breaking a valuable vase and reincarnated as a man-eating monster. Along their journey, the four pilgrims face 81 tribulations, some of which involve affairs of normal humans, whilst others consist of the disciples protecting their master from various demons and monsters who wish to consume Tang Sanzang's flesh in hopes of gaining immortality.

List of episodes

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Season 1

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Season 1 has 25 episodes and covers 74 chapters of the novel. It was aired as a whole series in 1988.

No. overall No. in series Translated title in English Original title in Chinese Based on
chapter(s) of novel 		Runtime in minutes
1 1 Birth of the Monkey King 猴王初问世 1-2 40
2 2 Becoming a horse-keeper 官封弼马温 2-4 44
3 3 Havoc in Heaven 大圣闹天宫 4-7 57
4 4 Five Elements Mountain 困囚五行山 7-9, 12-13 41
5 5 The Monkey King guards Tang Sanzang 猴王保唐僧 13-15 51
6 6 Trouble in the temple of Guanyin 祸起观音院 16-17 42
7 7 The recruitment of Zhu Bajie 计收猪八戒 18-19 51
8 8 Facing three adversities during the tough journey 坎途逢三难 20-24 49
9 9 Stealing the Ginsengfruit 偷吃人蔘果 24-26 51
10 10 Three battles with the White Bone Demon 三打白骨精 27 48
11 11 Cleverly instigating the Monkey King 智激美猴王 28-31 52
12 12 Robbing treasure in the Lotus Cave 夺宝莲花洞 32-35 51
13 13 Slaying demons in the Kingdom of Wuji 除妖乌鸡国 36-39 58
14 14 Battling Red Boy 大战红孩儿 40-42 42
15 15 Defeating three demons in a contest of magic powers 斗法降三怪 44-46 59
16 16 Interesting encounter in Women's Kingdom 趣经女儿国 53-55 59
17 17 Three attempts in taking the Palm Leaf Fan 三调芭蕉扇 59-61 50
18 18 Cleaning the tower and redressing a grievance 扫塔辨奇冤 62-63 54
19 19 Entering Little Leiyin Temple by mistake 误入小雷音 64-66 55
20 20 The Monkey King becomes a physician 孙猴巧行医 68-71 56
21 21 Falling into the spiders' cave by accident 错坠盘丝洞 72-73 57
22 22 Four visits to the abyss 四探无底洞 80-83 62
23 23 Teaching in Yuhuazhou 传艺玉华州 84-85, 88-90 59
24 24 Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India 天竺收玉兔 93-95 46
25 25 Arrival in the Land of Pureness 波生极乐天 98-100 50

Season 2

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Due to budgetary issues, five of the initially planned episodes were not filmed:

  1. Dangerous crossing at Heaven Reaching River (险渡通天河), covering chapters 47-49
  2. Capturing the Azure Bull Demon (收伏青牛怪), covering chapters 50-52
  3. The real and fake Monkey King (真假美猴王), covering chapters 56-58
  4. Obstacle at Lion Camel Ridge (遇阻狮驼岭), covering chapters 74-77
  5. Rescuing children in a city (救难小儿城),[1] covering chapters 78-79
No. overall No. in series Translated title in English Original title in Chinese Based on chapter(s) of novel Runtime in minutes
26 1 Dangerous crossing at Heaven Reaching River 险渡通天河 47-48 43
27 2 A rift between master and disciples 师徒生二心 49, 56-58 44
28 3 The real and fake Monkey King 真假美猴王 58 44
29 4 Obstacle at Lion Camel Ridge 受阻狮驼岭 58, 74 44
30 5 Meeting immortals at Peacock Platform 遇仙孔雀台 75-76 44
31 6 Buddha captures the Great Peng 如来收大鹏 77, 43 44
32 7 Heartbreak at Black Water River 情断黑水河 43, 10 44
33 8 Capturing the Azure Bull Demon 收伏青牛怪 50-51 44
34 9 Praying for rain in Phoenix Immortal Prefecture 祈雨凤仙郡 52, 87 44
35 10 Wreaking havoc in Fragrance Covered Hall 大闹披香殿 87, 67 44
36 11 A dead end becomes the way 绝域变通途 67, 86 44
37 12 Shedding tears on Hidden Misty Mountain 泪洒隐雾山 86, 78 44
38 13 Rescuing children in a city 救难小儿城 78-79 44
39 14 Catching bandits in the land of bodhi 缉盗菩提域 79, 88, 96-97 44
40 15 Returning the soul of Benefactor Kou 还魂寇善人 97, 91 44
41 16 Admiring lanterns in Jinping Prefecture 观灯金平府 91-92 43

Cast

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Further information: List of Journey to the West characters
Some of the actors played multiple roles while certain roles were played by multiple actors

Season 1

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Main cast

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Other cast

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Listed in order of appearance

Season 2

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Main cast

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Other cast

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Listed in order of appearance

Production

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Development

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Yang Jie was appointed director of the series in 1982 and developed the screenplay with Dai Yinglu and Sou Yiping. Yang sought to explore the humanity of the original novel’s characters and so focused on the complexities of interpersonal relationships between them in preference to focusing on action sequences.[2] A major difference from the novel was the depiction of Tang Sanzang having his faith challenged after the queen of Women’s Kingdom develops romantic feelings for him and he is, in turn, tempted to give into desire and reciprocate her affections.

Casting

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Initial casting for the characters, notably the role of Sun Wukong, proved difficult as the production team had no points of reference to base off of in modern media. Peking opera was ultimately selected due to its history and artistry in depicting various characters and tales from Chinese folklore, which codirector Xun Hao perceived as an important foundation and reference point for the writing of Sun Wukong’s character, as well as for capturing his appearance and mannerisms that felt familiar to a Chinese audience.[2] As a result, a majority of the cast hailed with a background in Peking opera and elements of the genre, such as pantomiming, were incorporated into their scenes.

Performing artist Liu Xiao Ling Tong, who hailed from a family of performers specialising in portraying Sun Wukong, was cast in the role after Yang Jie requested to see a private demonstration in Beijing. His speaking voice was dubbed by Li Shihong from episodes 1 to 5 in season 1 and by Li Yang for the remainder of both seasons.  

Wang Yue was cast as Tang Sanzang and filmed 3 episodes before leaving mid-production to pursue a film career. He was replaced by Xu Shaohua who departed soon after filming episode 16, Interesting encounter in Women's Kingdom, to pursue university in Shandong. Peking opera singer Chi Chongrui took on the role for the remainder of the first season and had been recruited by chance after being spotted by Yang Jie while passing each other in a corridor.[2] Both Xu and Chi would return in season 2, sharing the role for 8 episodes each between them. The voice of Tang Sanzang was dubbed by Zhang Yunming.

Ma Dehua was cast as Zhu Bajie and Yan Huaili as Sha Wujing. Both were replaced in season 2 by Cui Jingfu and Liu Dagang respectively. Li Po provided the dubbed voice of Zhu Bajie.

Filming

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Filming began on July 3 1982 with the entirety of season 1 being shot on a single Sony BVP-300 model camera. On location shooting took place across various provinces and cities in China including Beijing, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Xinjiang, while episodes in India were completed in Thailand. Various underwater scenes and those depicting Heaven were shot at a sound stage, with dry ice being used to imitate the effects of clouds.

Due to budgetary reasons, five of the planned 30 episodes were unable to be completed in 1988 and were adapted into the later season a decade later in 1998.

Music

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Xu Jingqing was selected to be the series' main music composer after Yang Jie heard a demo of Happy Gathering at Flower Fruit Mountain.[3] Xu used a combination of traditional Chinese instruments as well as a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer and an electronic drum to create most of the series' music, and has described the genre as a 'mix between Chinese traditional music, electronic music, and orchestral song'.[4][5] At the time, the use of electric music, perceived by the network as "Western" and "modern" and thus unfitting for the telling of a traditional Chinese story, became an issue of debate with Xu almost being fired during production.[6] Inspiration for the first season's opening theme was drawn from Xu hearing a group of part-time workers humming and drumming their lunchboxes in tune, whilst lyrics to Dare to Ask Where is the Road and Women's Feelings were all drawn from his personal life experiences. He also referenced the 1951 Indian film, Awaara, when composing Indian Girl.[3]

Soundtrack

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Season 1

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# Track title Credits Notes
1 西游记序曲 / 云宫迅音
(Journey to the West Opening Theme / Immortal Sound Above Cloud Palace)		 Performed by the musical band of the Central Ballet Troupe; conducted by Hu Bingxu The opening theme music played at the start of each episode
2 百曲千折显精诚
(Thousands of Adversities Prove One's Sincerity)		 Composed by Wang Liping; lyrics by Wang Liping; performed by Wu Yanze Opening theme song of episodes 7 and 10 during the 1984 run; replaced by the first track in the 1986 run.
3 敢问路在何方
(Dare to Ask Where is the Road)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Zhang Baomo / Jiang Dawei Ending theme song; performed by Zhang Baomo during the initial runs in 1984 and 1986; performed by Jiang Dawei in the full 25 episodes run
4 生无名本无姓
(Born Without a Name, Naturally Without a Surname)		 Lyrics by Fulin and Xiaoling; performed by Huang Xiaoqun Insert song in episode 3; played during the 1986 run; later performed by Wang Xiaoqing
5 大圣歌
(Song of the Great Sage)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Hu Yinyin Insert song in episode 3, replaced the fourth track in the full 25 episodes run
6 他多想是棵小草 / 被贬五行山
(He Wished He Was a Blade of Grass / Trapped Under Five Elements Mountain)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Ding Xiaoqing Insert song in episode 4; played during the 1986 run
7 五百年桑田沧海
(500 Years of Great Changes)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Yu Junjian Insert song in episode 4; replaced the sixth track in the full 25 episodes run
8 走啊走
(Let's Go)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Zhou Lifu / Li Jingxian Insert song in episode 4; performed by Zhou Lifu in the 1986 run; performed by Li Jingxian in the full 25 episodes run
9 吹不散这点点愁
(Cannot Blow Away This Little Bit of Misery)		 Lyrics by Yan Su, performed by Yu Junjian Insert song in episode 10
10 女儿情
(Women's Feelings)		 Lyrics by Yang Jie; performed by Wu Jing Insert song in episode 16
11 相见难别亦难
(Meeting is Difficult, Parting Ways is Also Difficult)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Wu Jing Insert song in episode 16
12 晴空月儿明
(Clear Sky, Bright Moon)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Chi Chongrui Insert song in episode 18
13 何必西天万里遥
(Why Must the West Heaven be So Far Away)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Wu Jing Insert song in episode 19
14 天竺少女
(Indian Girl)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Li Lingyu Insert song in episode 24
15 青青菩提树
(Green Bodhi Tree)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Li Jingxian Insert song in episode 25
16 无底船歌
(Song of the Bottomless Boat)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Ye Mao Insert song in episode 25
17 取经归来
(Returning with the Scriptures)		 Lyrics by Dai Yinglu; performed by Jiang Dawei Insert song in episode 25
18 欢聚花果山
(Happy Gathering at Flower Fruit Mountain)
19 快乐花果山
(Joy in Flower Fruit Mountain)
20 逍遥自在的孙大圣
(The Carefree Great Sage Sun)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Zhang Xu Insert in episode 3
21 幽冥界
(The Underworld)
22 初进凌霄殿
(First Entrance into Lingxiao Hall)
23 官封弼马温
(Appointed Keeper of Horses)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by a children's choir Used as a soundtrack in an earlier version of episode 2
24 嫦娥舞曲
(Chang'e's Dance Theme)
25 大闹蟠桃会
(Causing Trouble at the Peach Feast)
26 大战二郎神
(Fighting Erlang Shen)
27 安天会
(Heaven Pacification Meeting)
28 观音宝曲
(Guanyin's Theme)
29 送别
(Farewell)
30 状元巡街
(Top Scholar Parades Through the Streets)
31 江流儿
(The River Flows)
32 放生曲
(Release Theme)
33 江月
(River and Moon)
34 痴梦
(Delusional Dream)
35 猪八戒背媳妇
(Zhu Bajie Carries his Spouse)
36 猪八戒撞天婚
(Zhu Bajie's Marriage)
37 偷吃人参果
(Stealing the Ginsengfruit)
38 仙童骂战
(Argument Between Boys)
39 公主打猎曲
(The Princess Goes Hunting Theme)
40 云山雾海
(Clouded Mountains and Misty Seas)
41 乌鸡遗恨
(Regret in Wuji)
42 登坛作法
(Setting Up an Altar and Preparing for a Ritual)
43 云台显圣
(Display of Power at Cloud Platform)
44 鸳鸯梦
(Dream of the Mandarin Ducks)
45 铁扇仙舞剑
(Princess Iron Fan's Sword Dance)
46 风雨行路难
(A Road Hard to Travel)

Season 2

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# Track title Credits Notes
1 通天大道宽又阔
(The Path to Heaven is Wide)		 Music and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Choi Kyung Ho / Clover The main theme song
2 敢问路在何方
(Dare to Ask Where Is the Road)		 Lyrics by Yan Su; performed by Jiang Dawei The ending theme song
3 伴君常开花一朵
(By Your Side, A Flower Often Blossoms)		 Music and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Pan Jun Insert song
4 心中有路是坦途
(The Road in Your Heart is a Level Path)		 Music by Xu Jingqing and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Chi Chongrui Originally written as an insert song, but was replaced by Watch Me Ride My Horse and Wave My Whip in the final release.
5 留不住去也难
(Cannot Make You Stay, Leaving is Also Difficult)		 Music by Xu Jingqing and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Li Shu Originally written as an insert song, but was in the final release replaced by 就这样走 (Just Leave Like This) Music and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Chen Xiaotao.
6 庄严我神州大地
(The Dignity of Our Land)		 Music and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Zhang Mai
7 多少情和意
(How Much Love and Meaning)		 Music by Xu Jingqing and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Wu Jing and Mou Xuanfu Originally written as an insert song, but was replaced by a piece of background music in the final release.
8 看我跃马扬鞭
(Watch Me Ride My Horse and Wave My Whip)		 Music and lyrics by Yao Ming; performed by Chi Chongrui Insert song

Availability in the West

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In 2017, CCTV released both seasons on YouTube complete with English subtitles.[7][8] Episode 5 of the second season was deleted and instead merged with the fourth episode Obstacle at Lion Camel Ridge, making a total of 40 episodes instead of the original 41.[9]

Reception

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Upon its release, Journey to the West was praised for its faithfulness to the source material and lauded as one of the pioneers in national media for artistically representing China's traditions and values, its aesthetics helping break 'the single-role-image constructed by previous TV series'.[10] On Chinese social networking service Douban, season 1 currently holds a 9.7/10 rating and season 2, 9.1/10.[11][12] Season 1 received a record viewership rate of 89.4% in 1987.[13] Since its original airing, the episodes have been rebroadcast over 2000 times across various television networks in Mainland China, making Journey to the West one of the country's most watched series.[14]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
1988 Feitian Awards Outstanding Artistry Journey to the West Won [15]
Golden Eagle Awards Outstanding Television Series Journey to the West Won [16]
Best Actor Zhang Jinlai (Liu Xiao Ling Tong) Won [16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ (in Chinese) 86版《西游记》幕后故事：九九八十一难是戏也是生活
  2. ^ a b c CCTV China Showbiz television interview. Aired January 28 2020.
  3. ^ a b CCTV China Showbiz television interview. Aired August 13 2013.
  4. ^ "'Journey to the West' composer's bucket list". China.org.cn. 4 February 2016.
  5. ^ "《西游》作曲:音乐学院没考"登登等灯"". 广州日报. 新浪网. 25 January 2017.
  6. ^ "我为《西游记》作曲——许镜清的梦幻人生". 中国音乐网. 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ "《西游记》| 历经艰难 终成正果 【全25集】 - YouTube". YouTube.
  8. ^ "《西游记续集》| 师徒四人 回转长安 【全15集】 - YouTube". YouTube.
  9. ^ "《西游记》 Journey to the West（English Subs） | 四大名著 经典再现【全40集】 - YouTube". YouTube.
  10. ^ Zhang, Bin. "TV Series in China". Art Exchange.
  11. ^ "西游记 (1986)". Douban.
  12. ^ "西游记续集 (2000)". Douban.
  13. ^ (in Chinese) 敢问路在何方 - 电视剧《西游记》剧组聚首《艺术人生》
  14. ^ (in Chinese) 老剧再抢暑期档 86版《西游》重播超2000次
  15. ^ "第8届中国电视剧飞天奖".
  16. ^ a b "第六届中国电视金鹰奖（1988年沈阳）". China Television Artists Association.
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