The Award of the Founding General in 1955 (2023)
A sweeping historical drama recreating the landmark 1955 ceremony that honored over a thousand founding generals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
The Award of the Founding General in 1955 - Movie Information
The Award of the Founding General in 1955 - Plot
The film tells the story of the first award ceremony of 1,052 meritorious generals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. On September 23, 1955, the 22nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the First National People's Congress decided to award Zhu De and other 10 senior generals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army with the rank of Marshal of the People's Republic of China, and they were awarded by order of the then President Mao Zedong. On September 27, 1955, the Central Military Commission issued a special telegram and announced the order to award Su Yu and other 1,038 senior officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army with the rank of general through the general ceremony held by the State Council. These include 10 generals, 55 generals, 175 lieutenant generals, and 798 major generals.
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The Award of the Founding General in 1955 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tang Guoqiang
- Shi Wei
Main Cast
- Tang Guoqiang
- Liu Jin
- Wang Wufu
- Qin Hailu
- Wang Xun
- Jerry Lee
- Guo Xiaodong
- Gao Shuguang
- Yin Xiaotian
- Guo Lianwen
Writers
- Tang Guoqiang
The Award of the Founding General in 1955 - FAQs
What is The Award of the Founding General in 1955 about?
The film recreates the landmark 1955 ceremony in which the Chinese People's Liberation Army honored 1,052 senior officers with military ranks. It covers the conferral of the Marshal rank on 10 generals by President Mao Zedong and the subsequent awarding of general-level ranks to over 1,000 officers.
Is The Award of the Founding General in 1955 based on real events?
Yes, absolutely. The film is rooted in actual history. On September 23 and 27, 1955, the Chinese government formally awarded military ranks to 1,052 PLA officers, including 10 Marshals. The ceremony was a defining moment in the founding of the People's Republic of China's modern military structure.
Who directed The Award of the Founding General in 1955?
The film was co-directed by Tang Guoqiang and Shi Wei. Tang Guoqiang is a celebrated Chinese actor widely known for portraying Mao Zedong on screen, and he also stars in the film while taking on directorial duties alongside Shi Wei.
Who plays Mao Zedong in this film?
Tang Guoqiang portrays Mao Zedong in the film. He is one of China's most recognized actors for this role, having played Mao in numerous major productions over the years. His portrayal is considered definitive in Chinese cinema and television.
Who are the main actors in The Award of the Founding General in 1955?
The cast features Tang Guoqiang as Mao Zedong, Liu Jin as Zhou Enlai, Wang Wufu as Zhu De, Qin Hailu as Li Zhen, Wang Xun as Gan Siqi, Jerry Lee as Mao Anying, Guo Xiaodong, Gao Shuguang, Yin Xiaotian, and Guo Lianwen as Liu Shaoqi.
When was The Award of the Founding General in 1955 released?
The Award of the Founding General in 1955 was released in China on November 24, 2023. The film arrived in theaters to coincide with growing public interest in Chinese revolutionary history and the legacy of the People's Liberation Army's founding generation.
What genre is The Award of the Founding General in 1955?
The film blends Drama, War, and History into a sweeping patriotic epic. It focuses less on battlefield action and more on the ceremonial and political dimensions of the 1955 military rank conferral, making it a historically grounded drama with strong nationalistic undertones.
What are some similar films to watch after this one?
If you enjoyed this film, you might also like The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021), Before Dawn (2024), The World Will Tremble (2025), Munich – The Edge of War (2021), Irena's Vow (2024), and The Six Triple Eight (2024) — all compelling war and history-driven dramas.
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