The Price of Peace

The Price of Peace

Title card
Genre Period drama
Written by Ang Eng Tee
Chong Liang Sin
Guo Yude
Directed by Loo Yin Kam
Starring Rayson Tan
Xiang Yun
Chen Shucheng
Jacintha Abisheganaden
James Lye
Lina Ng
Christopher Lee
Ivy Lee
Carole Lin
Ryan Choo
Opening theme The Price of Peace (和平的代价) performed by Sebastian Tan
Country of origin Singapore
Original language(s) Mandarin
English (dub)
No. of episodes 32
Production
Producer(s) Kok Len Shoong
Au Yuk Sing
Running time 45 minutes per episode
Release
Original network TCS Eighth Frequency
TCS Fifth Frequency
Original release 30 June – 19 August 1997
Chronology
Related shows In Pursuit of Peace
External links
Website
The Price of Peace
Traditional Chinese 和平的代價
Simplified Chinese 和平的代价

The Price of Peace is a Singaporean television drama set in Japanese-occupied Singapore during World War II. It was first aired on TCS Eighth Frequency (now MediaCorp Channel 8) on 30 June 1997. Although the drama was originally in Mandarin, an English-dubbed version was also broadcast on TCS Fifth Frequency (now MediaCorp Channel 5) in 1999. The drama has been rerun on MediaCorp Channel 8 several times since its premiere and its latest airing was in August 2013. The series is based on a 1995 book of the same title (published by Asiapac Books), which contains numerous first-hand accounts of war veterans and eyewitnesses.

Plot

Outline

The plot is divided into seven parts, each focusing on distinct themes and events.

# Title Episodes Description
1 Unity in Adversity
风雨同舟 		1–13 This part introduces Japanese aggression in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War and depicts the major relief efforts undertaken by the Chinese community in Singapore and Malaya under Tan Kah Kee's leadership. Some featured historical events include the workers' strike at the Dungun tin mine and the Burma Road recruitment drive.
2 Eve of the Storm - 1941
暴风前夕 - 一九四一年 		13–18 This part depicts escalating tensions in Singapore prior to the Japanese invasion. Some featured historical events include the establishment of air raid precautions in Singapore.
3 Defending Singapore
保卫新加坡 		18–23 This part depicts the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore. Some featured historical events include the establishment of the Overseas Chinese Mobilisation Council and the Battle of Singapore.
4 Mass Screening
大检证 		23–25 This part depicts the Sook Ching Massacre and Lim Bo Seng's establishment of a guerrilla network under Force 136.
5 Lim Bo Seng and Force 136
林谋盛与一三六部队 		26–29 This part depicts Force 136's espionage activities in Malaya and the heroic deeds of Elizabeth Choy, along with a glimpse of daily life in Japanese-occupied Singapore.
6 Lim Bo Seng's Death
林谋盛之死 		29–32 This part depicts Lim Bo Seng's capture and death at the hands of the Japanese, and the heroic deeds of Sybil Kathigasu.
7 The Price of Peace
和平的代价 		32 This concluding segment depicts the Japanese surrender and the honouring of Lim Bo Seng.

Synopsis

On 7 July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident sparks off the Second Sino-Japanese War as the Empire of Japan launches a full invasion on the Republic of China. Dida Cheng, a deserter from the Chinese National Revolutionary Army, flees to Malaya, where he meets Cuicui, a Chinese opera actress, and Hideko, a Japanese woman. The three of them are drawn into a complex love triangle. Xie Guomin, an anti-Japanese activist, and Zhou Wenlong, the asthmatic son of a tailor shop owner, both fall in love with the porridge vendor Wang Qiumei. After Wang is publicly humiliated by an evil businessman, she is saved by Zhou and decides to marry him. However, she is already secretly pregnant with Xie's child. Their relationships become very strained.

After the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1942, they initiate the Sook Ching Massacre in which thousands of Chinese deemed to be anti-Japanese activists are rounded up, persecuted and executed. Xie Guomin is arrested by the Kempeitai and he becomes a hanjian and informer after succumbing to the enemy under torture. On the other hand, Dida Cheng becomes a resistance fighter and an ally of Force 136, and he continues to fight the Japanese invaders to liberate Singapore.

Historical figures such as the war heroes Lim Bo Seng, Elizabeth Choy and Sybil Kathigasu, the philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, as well as notorious Japanese military figures such as Ishibe Toshiro and Yoshimura Ekio, are also featured as semi-fictional characters in the drama.

Cast

Music

The opening theme song, which shares the same title as the series, was sung in Mandarin by Sebastian Tan (Chen Ruibiao). The main theme of the 1997 Hong Kong film The Soong Sisters is also extensively used in the series.

Filming locations

The series was shot on location in Singapore at the now-defunct TV World in Tuas, Tan Teck Guan Building, Danish Seamen's Church, St. Andrew's School, Chung Cheng High School (Main), The Chinese High School, and HQ Tanglin Barracks (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building), among others. Extensive filming was also done in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Awards and nominations

The Price of Peace received the following awards and nominations at the Star Awards in 1997.

Award Nominee Result
Best Actor Christopher Lee Won
James Lye Nominated
Best Actress Carole Lin Won
Best Supporting Actress Hong Huifang Won
Best Drama The Price of Peace Won

See also

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, September 01, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.