The True Story of Ah Q (1981)

Plot Summary

Based on the 1921 novella of the same name by one of China's most well-known modern writers, Lu Xun (Lu Hsun), the True Story of Ah Q is set during the 1911 revolution. Ah Q is a lowly peasant who wants to rise above his class, or at least get out of his grinding poverty. At first he thinks the way to do it is by marrying into a better station in life; later, he joins the revolution as he feels that is the only way he and others like him can transcend poverty. In this film version of Lu Xun's story, the character of Ah Q might benefit from a more rounded humanity to make him appealing to those not familiar with the harsh environment in China before the 1911 revolution.

Full Cast & Characters

Yan Shunkai

A Qiu

Li Wei

Master Zhao

Yikang Jin

The Fake Foreign Devil

Wang Suya

Wu Ma

Youyun Zhang

The Little Nun

Li Dingbao

Lu Xun

Baohe Yang

Shopkeeper

Fuming Bao

Master Zhao's son

Xi Chen

Candidate Bai

Guangyao Chi

County Magistrate

Liang Ming

The Old Nun

Yilan Ni

Zou Qi Sao

Director & Crew

Where to Watch The True Story of Ah Q Online

Movies Similar to The True Story of Ah Q

IMDb 5.8

Night of the Hunchback

1965

IMDb 6.0

Hassan-Aga's Wife

1967

IMDb 6.3

Danny the Champion of the World

1989

IMDb 5.4

The Angry Toy

1984

IMDb 8.0

Rattlesnake in a Cooler

1982

IMDb 7.0

The Virgin and the Gray Hair

1983

Frequently Asked Questions