The 400,000,000
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Joris Ivens
Adelaide Bean
Robert Capa
Morris Carnovsky
Wei Chung-loh
Hanns Eisler
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In the early days of the Sino-Japanese Conflict, the people of China defend themselves against the mighty Japanese military machine, which is bombing the city of Shanghaii. Newsreel footage shows the bombing of Shanghai, as well as the fighting along the South Shantung front, and the Chinese capture of Taierhchwang from the Japanese. Following a brief lesson in the history of China--supported by scenes showing the Chinese people, their landscape and samples of their culture--the Chinese National Military Council is shown in an historic meeting with General Chiang Kai-skek. Chinese leader Doctor Sun Yat-sen is portrayed as the hero of Chinese independence and sponsor of the construction of highways, railways and irrigation systems. According to the film, Japan's aggression toward the Chinese stemmed from Japan's resentment of China's transformation into an industrial leader. Japanese military strategies and exercises are shown, as are their specialized querrilla warfare tactics.
Crew
Adelaide Bean
Robert Capa
Morris Carnovsky
Wei Chung-loh
Hanns Eisler
John Ferno
John Ferno
G. L. George
Joris Ivens
Joris Ivens
Robert Lewis
Sydney Lumet
Fredric March
Pearl Mullin
New Friends Of Music, Inc.
Dudley Nichols
Harry Robin
Alfred Ryder
Eric Simon
Dr. Fritz Stiedry
Roman Totenberg
Helen Van Dongen
David Wolff
H. S. Wong
Jack Young
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Onscreen credits note that Wei Chung-Loh appeared in this film courtesy of the Chinese Cultural Mission. A biography of Joris Ivens indicates that the film was banned in France and released in London in November 1939 with all references to fascism omitted. Ivens' biography also lists Robert Capa as a cameraman. According to modern sources, newsreel footage from Shanghai was shot by H. S. Wong. In Hankow, the temporary Chinese capital, Chinese censors were assigned to follow the film crew and shoot in 16mm the same shots they were filming in 35mm. The Chinese film was then sent to Hong Kong for development, and subsequently returned to Hankow, where it was reviewed by the censors. Once the censors approved the scenes, the identical 35mm film could be sent to Hollywood. Modern sources also note that the Chinese dialogue was synchronized in post-production by New York Chinese.
