All language subtitles for The Spring River Flows East 1 (1947)

Shanghai 1947, Kunlun Studio

Spring River Flows East

Part One: Eight War Torn Years

Kunlun Film Studio

Produced by Xia Shanhu, Tao Boxun

Starring Bai Yang

Tao Jin

Wu Yn

Shu Xiuwen

Directed by Cai Chusheng and Zheng
Junli

"How much sorrow can one man bear?"

"As much as a river of spring water flowing
east."

Shanghai, Sept. 18, 1931.

Good evening, everyone.

We have a fantastic program for you
tonight.

Let's give it up for Miss Wang and her
Spanish dance.

Bravo!

Hurry, the dance is done. Cue the chair.

Good show.

Thank you.

How do I get down? There's no ladder?

Allow me.

Thank you.

Hey, Xiaohuang! Places!

Oh, how do I get down? There's no
ladder?

Oh, thank you for helping me up.

Hey, Zhongliang.

Keep this on the down low.

I got some news about the volunteer army.

I already did that. So what's the news

Probably this.

Good evening, everyone.

There are no strangers here.

At this time of peace,

I risk my life by speaking to you.

We celebrate a great nation today

We're all in high spirits.

But let us not forget our country is in crisis.

We need to bear this in mind.

We have an obligation to drive out the
foreign invaders.

To do our part to help the Northeast
Volunteer Army.

Since the occupation of the northeast,

we've lost valuable mines and factories,

vast amounts of land and rainforest:

We have over 30,000,000 compatriots

Iiving the lives of slaves.

These past few years, we have suffered
oppression.

We are not meant to be an enslaved
people:

We must band together to help the
northeast

drive out the invading forces.

These children of China.

These brave warriors

fighting now through the freezing snow

have no food or clothes.

We will bring them weapons.

Hoe heads, sickles, guns and cannons

to engage the enemy in battle.

They need our help.

Each conscientious Chinese

must help them.

I appeal to each of you

to reach down deep

and make a donation to the Northeast
Volunteer Army.

We must unite! Unite!

How did I do today?

Very eloquent.

Here are the results.

The manager wants you.

Wants me?

Now.

Let's go.

I'm going.

I don't have a problem with your
patriotism.

But you are an employee of this factory,

and you're instigating the workers.

Donating money to the resistance?

This incident could incite the Japanese.

And they will surely protest.

Don't you want to keep this factory open?

Are you deliberately inviting trouble for
me?

Manager Wen, I don't mean you any harm.

I will gladly face imprisonment for this.

You would face arrest and imprisonment?

My factory cannot support you.

You are a true patriot: I give you that.

- But::: - Wait: You have a job here.

My job is to make sure you do your job
well,

not to incite the workers into a frenzy.

You're tactful and understanding, aren't
you?

That will be all.

So, what did the manager say?

He said we're courting trouble helping the
volunteer army.

Courting danger: Unreasonable!

Don't listen to him: His mind is set.

He won't sway us. We'll take our money
and leave tomorrow.

Good: Now spread out: Someone might
see us.

Sufen: Not so fast.

My mother's making dinner: Come eat with
me.

- Sure: -Then we'll go.

Have some more vegetables.

Thank you, Aunty: It's too much.

I'll clean.

I feel a little dizzy: I need to rest.

Aunty.

It's nothing: Go on.

Do you see that star flanked by the moon?

Yes.

Do you know what it is?

No: I don't know.

That star is me.

You are the moon.

I am the moon?

That's the way I'll always remember you:

- Truly? - Truly.

My only wish is that we can be together
forever.

Share our good times and bad.

And generation after geration will be just
as happy.

The situation in northern China is getting
serious.

It looks as though there something's
brewing.

What are you doing?

Don't look. Don't look.

Okay I won't look.

Give me.

You're going to be a mother?

Why didn't you tell me?

Mama will be so happy.

Mama, come here quickly.

Don't shout, okay?

Okay I won't shout.

Ma!

Mama, look.

It's for real?

Yes, but she still won't let me see.

This is truly a blessing.

I shall give Kwan Yn the last incense
stick.

You're quickly becoming a father.

Yes, and you?

Why, a grandmother, of course.

For the sake of our child,

this generation will sacrifice.

Can this world not be at peace?

It's a boy.

Sufen, this past hour

you gave me a good scare.

Looks exactly like you when you were a
boy.

July 7: Lugou Bridge Incident. The
beginning of the war.

September 13. Shanghai Army Rose to
Resist Invaders.

Are you done?

The cotton vests are finished.

That's it for me.

Our child was born on the day of the July
7 Incident.

We'll call him Kangsheng.

- Kangsheng? - Meaning "son of
resistance."

That's good.

Kangsheng, it is.

Zhongliang, hurry up: We have places to
go.

My backpack.

Busy little bees, aren't we?

I don't think you should go.

I'll be fine.

I'm only visiting the governor of Hankou.

Be careful on the road.

Don't forget to write as soon as you reach
Hankou.

The car is ready, ma'am.

Cousin, do you have that letter of
introduction?

Brother-in-law has already finished it. I'll
bring it to you.

Have you finished the letter.

Yes, I have.

Why the long face? What are you worrying
about?

Just considering this factory move.

Oh, it will benefit everyone.

Come on, your cousin's ready to go.

If it weren't for our hard work in our factory,

we'd be traveling to the hinterlands.

Send greetings to Pang Haogong for me.

Please explain to him my situation.

Darling, that vest you promised to knit
me--

I just finished one piece.

It's a good piece, a very dapper pattern.

You can't imagine how long it took.

I'll fetch it for you.

Lucky you.

I guess. We still have to attend the
medical corps.

You getting ready to go somewhere?

Yes, Shanghai is in disarray

I want to stop by Hankou first.

Pretty soon, we'll all be taking that route.

You see. How do you like it?

You think anyone else will notice.

With everyone fighting this war, they'd
better notice.

Especially with this expert craftsmenship.

Okay Well, we still have lots to do.

The car is ready. - Cousin, Brother-in-law,
we're leaving.

Be careful out there.

Is the car all packed.

All packed.

Hope to see you in the hinterland.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, cousin. - Goodbye.

We'll be heading out tomorrow morning.

I'll be here on time.

This is madness. The situation isn't good.

Troops pulled out of Nanshi and Zhangbei.
And soon, Shanghai.

Our medical corps has ordered me leave
tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning?

Early morning: I'll leave word for the others
to follow.

What about me, your wife and your child?

Mama. The way I see it...

You and Sufen should stay in Shanghai for
a while.

It won't be easy but you can return to the
country.

Earn a living by working for our two
uncles.

Perhaps it's best.

How can you pack so little?

It will be cold.

No: It's enough.

Ma, you should be asleep.

What are you doing?

The journey will be very cold.

I'm sewing you a vest.

You can tell Sufen to sew.

I'm not busy.

One must make one's own home.

Do you remember this ancient poem?

"The thread moves in the hand of the
mother kind,

"To weave a garment for the wanderer to
wear.

"As the mother plies the needle with much
care,

"Anxiety for her son's tarry out so troubles
her mind."

I don't know if I'll ever see you again.

If it weren't for the war,

I would never leave you.

Sufen,

take care of Mama and our baby.

They are in your hands.

With all my heart.

I will hold on

until you return to.

Sufen, don't cry.

Wait for me when this war is through.

As citizens of this country,

We will see happier days.

The moon brings good fortune tonight.

We will perservere.

Now, it's nine o'clock.

Every evening from now on,

I will think of you.

Do you know that?

I know.

I will remember your words forever.

1937, Year 26 of the Republic of China

Are we dead? They don't even
acknowledge us.

They're ignoring us.

1938, Year 27 of the Republic of China

Call "Grandpa." Call "Uncle."

He'll only call "Mama" and "Papa."

Next year, he'll address me. And Grandpa
will embrace him.

Grandpa hold him.

Where's Elder Brother?

He's in Hankou.

Does he know you've returned to the
country?

We've written him. He replied with,

"People need to learn.

I need to stay"

It's his choice.

It's invonvenient to travel.

Travel expenses are high, I've told him.

The child has wet himself.

Dear boy,

how can you pee on Grandpa?

Let's go.

Since the foreign devils came,

we've felt more and more oppressed.

The madness of war is everywhere.

Don't know when there will be a day of
peace.

Why hasn't Zhongliang come back?

Yes, he's very dedicated.

Can't understand it.

Neither can I: Not for this long.

They're waiting for you: You're late.

I'm coming.

What the news?

Those devils want to capture us.

Capture us? Why?

He said we're the cause of the country's
problems.

Us? But we're nobody.

But we have knowledge.

A sense of what is right and just.

We're not willing to bow down to them.

Is this the world we live in?

They only want us to work as their slaves.

Since everyone is on high alert,

we have to leave right away

Where are we going to go?

To find the old governor.

Do we want to engage in guerilla warfare?

What else can we do?

They mustered up their forces atop the
mountain.

If you don't kill them, they'll kill you.

Old and young generations alike, we're all
trapped.

Now we have to walk the same path.

We don't have time to waste.

Don't wait for them to kill us.

Wanhua, you're strong.

What's your decision?

We have to do this.

Wanhua, you--

I'll certainly follow you.

Good, tidy up right away Don't pack too
much.

We'll rendezvous at my house in twenty
minutes.

I'll go first.

My books, food, sleeping bag. I'm ready.

This should do it.

You two, going like this.

You should go. You're young. You'll
survive the journey.

We old folks will simply wither away Iike
nothing.

We only want peace: We hope.

You hope: That's good.

The four of us together,

will set out to find the governor

in the villages atop the hill.

What trouble can there be?

The weather up there is very cold.

You wear my jacket.

- But you-- - I have another.

Sufen, come.

Ma, don't fret.

When we drive out the foreign devils, we'll
come home.

It could be them.

- Zhongmin. - I'm here.

You've known Zhongmin since childhood,

Iike brother and sister.

You all, look after one another.

Take this basket of eggs and packet of
tobacco

to the governor. Tell him I send him my
greetings.

Damn, they're here.

You hold them off. We'll go out the back
door.

Zhang Zhongliang. Where is he?

He's at school. He's not back yet.

How are you doing?

I've been carrying our injured brothers to
the rear.

Ah, you're a hard worker.

Not so. You're all leaving?

Yes. I'll introduce you.

President Pang Haogong of the Daxing
Trading Company.

And this is Mrs. Pang, my adopted mother.

This is our war hero, Zhang Zhongliang.

Oh go on.

Mr: Zhang, you're leaving soon?

Very soon.

We're going to Chongqing.

Look me up at this address.

Hurry up. The train's departing.

1 939, Year 28 of the Republic of China.

Sir, have mercy on me.

This cow is our life.

Without it, our family will starve.

I beg you.

That cow has kept us alive for 1 6 years.

As did this house.

Such a tragedy.

1940. Year 29 of the Republic of China.

You're not working? Our men need rice to
eat.

I'm not well.

You see how takes his medicine.

Go. Go. Don't wait.

At once.

Very well. Die then.

Leave me.

You're not well.

Papa, let me and Mama help.

No. It's nothing. These old bones will hold
me up.

I'll be fine: No sense you two bearing this
pain.

Come help me. Then come over to my
house to eat.

I'm thirsty.

Huh? Who got away?

These are our demands.

We want our share of rice.

My God: We need food.

Or it will be our deaths.

Our villages are starving.

Old sir, entreat us.

We'll go with you. They'll listen to you.

Okay.

You have the advantage of age and
wisdom.

We'll go together.

Do not approach further.

You all wait outside.

Sir, our cow was all we had.

We needed it to plow our farmland.

Since we planted the rice, it hasn't rained.

Each field has the potential to yield much
rice.

But yet our harvest is scarce.

We do not have enough to eat.

You can send a man to see for
themselves.

Our share of rice is small.

They have asked me to speak to you.

Be quiet. Be quiet.

I believe you're defying the Japanese
Imperial Government.

We are not defying your government.

Then why are you here?

We can't hand over our rice.

You want to squander the rice.

Very well.

Zhao Laodie, I understand your position.

Your son does first aid work for the war
effort.

You come here with this mob.

You stir them up,

telling them not to hand over the rice.

I see that.

Sorry then, I'll have to take your old life.

Guards, take him outside.

Tie him to the tree and string him up.

You see, this is the result of your
disobedience.

Tomorrow, you will hand over your rice to
my men.

If you do not, this will happen to you, one
by one.

You are not to cry here.

And you're forbidden to take down the
body.

Come any closer, we'll shoot to kill.

You're writing to Zhongliang.

Yes.

Those devils will read your mail.

I'm writing in code: He'll understand.

I want him to remember,

the invaders killed his father.

He'll want to seek revenge.

And his descendants as well, against the
enemy.

It's Zhongmin's voice.

Child.

Ma.

Uncle.

Just now, you looked frightened.

Yes, what was all that noise?

Those devils tried to kill us all.

The security corps is trying to alert the
governor.

You know, your father, he--

I know.

My son and I went up that hill.

Dear child, thank you.

Father's body has been taken down.

We will prepare a proper burial atop the
hill.

That's good.

The governor believes we'll refuse

to hand over our rice tomorrow. There will
be trouble.

It's best if follow Sister-in-law to Shanghai.

There's a boat by the river.

Wanhua will be waiting.

- We are one people. - Governor, it's you.

Just now, the invaders saw the light of our
gunfire.

They will surely come back and make
trouble.

We must do this right away. Go up the
mountain.

I'll go.

We'll go to the mountain.

Governor.

We wanted to invite you to go

up the mountain with Sister-in-law.

But I'm afraid at your age, it would be
difficult.

Still, we should ask you to flee to
Shanghai.

Your things are --

I want to throw away some things.

Not the expensive stuff. Just take what
you need.

Sister-in-law, does Brother have the letter?

He does. And he'll arrive early.

- Mailing address? - He's at the brigade
department.

Tell him of our problems. Tell him we'll be
strong.

We will fight the enemy.

We will never give up hope.

Mother, Sister-in-law. Goodbye.

Take care of yourself.

Mama, you take care of herself.

1941, year 30 of the Republic of China

City of Chungqing

Where's the main office?

You tested well, but it's no guarantee of
work.

This is my resume.

Only for yourself?

Yes.

- It won't do: - Why not?

It won't do.

Sir, you tested me on my educational
background.

How does that not apply?

Take a hike.

"Business Mogul Pang Haogong

adopts Wang Lizhen as step-daughter"

Mistress will be coming down.

Miss Wang, you probably don't recognize
me.

You--. We fought the Japanese together.

How did you become like this?

Please sit.

Just now, I barely recognized you.

You're probably feeling rather bitter.

Long story.

I pawned everything I owned.

This is what I've become.

My home lies in ruins.

Really?

My brother wrote me. His brigade was
trapped on a mountain.

The village had been invaded. My father
died in misery.

Last year, a villager told me

he didn't even know where my mother
went to.

Everything is finished.

So you came here to Chungqing?

To check in.

I helped drive out the enemy from our
country.

I fought for them, and I can't get an official
position.

I'm only being ignored.

You can try to looking for other work.

I just arrived to Chungqing. I don't know
anyone.

Our friends are gone.

It's not easy to find another job.

I ask you to help me,

I no longer have money for food and
lodging.

So...

Mistress, the private estate is on the line.

Thank you.

It's okay. No need to feel ashamed.

Let me make some arrangements.

Ah Jin,

Tidy up the small guest room.

And take Mr: Zhang's things.

My home is rather humble. I hope you
won't be offended.

I will bring you some fresh clothes.

I don't want this airplane head. Can you
even it out a bit?

Hello, Daxing Trading Company?

Please put me through to President Pang.

But ...

Zhonglian is a very capable person.

He will be a great asset to you.

Capable person.

I see, I see.

But a capable person is of little use here.

You didn't know this but we've made some
cuts.

Made cuts: But you promised me.

There are no openings.

No openings? Is it really that difficult?

There is nothing I can do.

He's worked so hard in the past.

You promised me. I'm getting angry.

Please don't. Please don't.

You know you like him: Give him a
chance.

Or I will tell stepmom that you--

Fine, fine: You got guts.

I'll give him an appointment right away.

Take him to see Old Gong.

Old Gong, I can't thank you enough.

You're very bold, aren't you?

This is my husband's matter.

I should go.

Ah Jin, has mistress awaken yet?

She'd just come home from the estate
earlier.

You're leaving early.

I want to get to work.

Good morning.

Too bad Miss Lizhen can't make it tonight.

She must be occupied.

But after all, we're all family here.

I hope we can all take care of one another.

Come have a drink.

Thank you, I don't drink wine.

I can have a little.

"Front Line Wages Serious Battle

While City Celebrates"

Don't read that. Screw the papers.

No, I need to keep up.

Have a drink.

Zhongliang, why don't you stay a bit
longer.

No, I want to go home.

"Like a pretty flower that does not bloom,"

"a good life does not last."

What? You're not asleep?

What did you think of the company?

When I'm there, I feel like I'm living in
another world.

There's no atmosphere to continue the
war effort.

Oh, just like a man coming back from the
front lines.

Always talking stupid.

You're just not accustomed to their world.

Maybe when you calm down,

you'll have no cause to complain.

Forget about it. Don't make that face.

Go to the theater. See a movie.

Spend a little time outside.

You're mood will change.

You'll forget all your troubles.

You know?

But, I --

You think I'm not on your side.

Soap is so expensive.

Everything is so expensive.

Just washing our hands is costly.

For a family of three! It's awful.

Chungqing.

Where exactly is Chungqing?

Along the Huangpu River,

where it turns to the Yangtze.

Just over yonder.

How far is it?

A few thousand miles.

A few thousand miles?

It would be better if you went looking for
him.

How can I leave you now?

Good help is hard to find nowadays.

You know, there was an old girlfriend of
his.

who worked at a refugee station.

She wanted me to go help her.

That's good: But I don't think I can go.

I think you should stay home and rest.

You're not exactly in the best of health.

Mom, I want to go too.

You stay home with Grandma.

I want to go.

Someday, we'll go up north together.

I'd like you to come drink wine with me.

You're inviting me out for a drink?

Not teatotalling anymore?

Come on, let's go.

Okay, okay: I'm going.

Waiter, one more round.

No, Zhongliang, you've had enough.

Mr. Pang, I'm not drunk: I'm not drunk.

We're a bunch of sad sacks.

Sad and sorry cases. Aren't we?

There's a saying,

"It doesn't matter if we haven't met,

drink a few cups, and we'll work it out."

I won't lie to you.

Dammit: You're a bad man.

But I'm not afraid of you. Okay?

Come on.

Family, parents,

brothers, wives:.

All the hope we have, struggling for a
better tomorrow.

To overcome everything,

yielding ... nothing.

I'd worked in the medical corps.

I was always looking for someone to
follow.

Orders to obey. But the lion is too
powerful.

I cannot fight it.

Zhongliang, you're drunk.

Who is giving you orders here?

Everyone here.

Everywhere you look, someone is keeping
me down.

You think I'm wrong?

Damn. I'm not afraid: I'm young.

I don't have enough. I still want to live.

I tell you Mr. Pang. You are Mr. Pang,
right?

I am Mr. Pang.

I'm not drunk, you see?

Someday, I will be somebody.

Even though, I don't even know who I am.

You look tired. You've been at it all day.

You're not busy too?

Have you bathed the children yet?

Mama Zhang.

Good girl. But you need to study.

Then show me what you've written.

Mama Zhang, my pants are ripped.

Look at you. Your pants are always falling
down.

After bathtime, come see me.

Mama Zhang, can you tell us a story?

Sure, when I have time.

From now on, don't sit and shuffle about
on the rocks.

That's how you're wearing out your pants,
okay?

Okay: All done.

Thank you, Mama Zhang.

It's nothing. Good boy.

They really marked me up good. I hate it.

Five or six of them ganged up on me.

They're bad.

You think my baby doesn't leave marks on
me?

You think I hate it?

See how dirty?

Mrs. Zhang, I think she might need this.

Mistress, you're back.

Is Zhang asleep?

Fast asleep.

I'm afraid my health is still failing.

We have to stop eating such cheap food.

I may be ill, but I'm well ahead in years.

I'll be better off dead.

Mama, don't say things like that.

How do you think Kangsheng's father
would feel

if he heard you talking like this?

He would be very sad.

You think you can write him a letter?

Tell him I'm not well.

Though he may worry.

Of course, I won't write to tell him that.

Why hasn't he written in so long?

He's very far away.

He probably doesn't even know we're
living in Shanghai.

You work at the refugee station all day.

When you come home, you tend to me.

That's too much for you.

It's fine.

We live in difficult times.

Don't worry: You rest.

You know, I'm still going.

I was just upstairs. Come sit for a while.

Okay.

It's a little warm in here.

Yes, a little warm.

I'll open the window.

What are you thinking about?

For a long time, I've been a man without a
family.

What makes you say that?

We are your family. Right here.

From here on,

every evening under the full moon,

I am missing you.

Damn! The baby!

It's raining.

Yes: It gets cold in the evening.

Zhongliang left his suitcase here
somewhere.

Right here.

The roof is leaking.

When will the dawn come?

When will Zhongliang come back?

"How much sorrow can one man bear?"

"As much as a river of spring water flowing
east."

Subtitles by T. L. Young and Rex Xie

With thanks to Nina Wang