San Mao Joins the Army
# San Mao Joins the Army

San Mao Joins the Army (Chinese: 三毛从军记) is a 1992 Chinese comedy film directed and co-written by Zhang Jianya and starring Wei Zongwan and Jia Lin. It is based on the Manhua of the same name by Zhang Leping. It was produced and distributed by Shanghai Film Studio. The film premiered in China in 1992. The film follows the story of San Mao and his comrade-in-arms Laogui in the Battle of Shanghai.

## Plot

In 1937, after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Second Sino-Japanese War breaks out. San Mao (Jia Lin), a wandering orphan, joins the army, where he meets his comrade-in-arms Laogui (Wei Zongwan), they participate in the Battle of Shanghai lead by Feng Yuxiang, Chen Cheng and Zhang Zhizhong in Shanghai. One day, they are dropped into the jungle, but the plane never comes to pick them up again. They live in the jungle for a long time and become savages. One day, a plane flies over the jungle and scatters numerous leaflets. After reading the leaflet, they know that the war is over.

## Cast

* Jia Lin as San Mao
* Wei Zongwan as Laogui
* Sun Feihu as Chiang Kai-shek
* Zhu Yi as Division commander Niu
* Zhang Mingyu as Regimental commander
* Li Ying as Wife
* Jiang Wen as Girl
* Dong Lin as Drillmaster
* Shi Ling as General
* Zhan Che as Policeman
* Su Zhenyu as Young Master
* Xu Caigen as Japanese soldier
* Hu Ronghua as Military official

## Reception

Douban gave the drama 8.3 out of 10.

## Accolades

| Date | Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1993 | 1st Beijing College Student Film Festival | Best Film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 1st Beijing College Student Film Festival | Special Award for Artistic Innovation | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 1st Beijing College Student Film Festival | Best Visual Effects | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 5th Bingxue Film Festival | Silver Award | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | Fantasporto | Judges Award | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 50th Venice International Film Festival | Senate Special Award | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 13th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Makeup | San Mao Joins the Army | Nominated |
| 1993 | 13th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Children's film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1993 | 13th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Director | Zhang Jianya | Nominated |
| 1993 | 13th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Wei Zongwan | Won |
| 1994 | 1st Baogang Elegant Art Award | Outstanding Film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1995 | 6th Chinese Film Tongniu Award | Outstanding Children's Film | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
| 1995 | 6th Chinese Film Tongniu Award | Outstanding Director | Zhang Jianya | Won |
| 2005 | One of the Most Memorable 100 Chinese Films | — | San Mao Joins the Army | Won |
