Mulan Joins the Army (simplified Chinese: 木兰从军; traditional Chinese: 木蘭從軍; pinyin: Mùlán cóngjūn), is a 1939 Chinese historical war film. It is one of several film adaptations of the Hua Mulan (花木兰) legend, which have included two silent versions: Hua Mulan Joins the Army (1927) by Tianyi Film Company, and a less successful Mulan Joins the Army (1928) produced by China Sun Motion Picture Company. The film, described as a musical comedy, was directed by Richard Poh (Bu Wancang) and stars Nancy Chan (credited as Chen Yunshang) as the title character, a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to take her father's place in the army. The success of the movie was evident by the record-breaking running time of 83 days. The screenplay by Ouyang Yuqian, was produced in Shanghai by the Hwa Cheng Studio (), a subsidiary of the Xinhua Film Company. History of the Tale of Mulan The story of Mulan first made its appearance in China as an ancient Chinese folk ballad. The story about Mulan, a warrior maiden who battled while dressed as a male soldier and shone, was retold for hundreds of years. The earliest written account of Mulan was in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, in a narrative poem called "Mulan Ci". It was written in the Northern Wei Dynasties, but also included in the Ancient and Modern Music Records of Chen in the Southern Dynasty. There are specific parts of the story that are present in its many retellings: a young woman takes the place of her elderly father in war, disguises as a man, serves her country, and returns home with honor and glory to resume her life as a woman. Many historians have written about this film because of its controversy, and the producer had to make a deal with Japanese authorities to distribute the film in Japanese occupied areas. Cast Chen Yunshang as Hua Mulan (花木兰), the film's heroine Mei Xi as Liu Yuandu (), Mulan's fellow general and eventual love interest. Liu Jiqun (s ) as Liu Ying (t ) Huang Naishuang () as Mulan's sister Han Langen () & Yin Xiucen () as two draftees; comic relief. He Jianfei (何剑飞) as Mulan's Father Wang Di (王蒂) as Mulan's Mother Ye Xiaozhu (叶小珠) as Mulan's Brother Jiang Xiou (姜修) as the Emperor Wang Jiting (王吉亭) as the Barbarian General Yan Yan (严岩) as the Hunter