Scenes 100 to 105
The scene switches back to the Maos’ (father and son) conversation. Anying argues that his father in fact should feel happy at this moment. Mao says that he is, of course, but that he suddenly remembered a talk with Huang Yanpei (黄炎培) during the latter’s visit back in 1945 in Yan’an. Anying does not know who Huang Yanpei is. Mao tells him that Huang is 15 years older than him, passed the imperial examination under the Qing Dynasty and joined the Tongmenghui. When Anying asks what Huang told Mao in particular in 1945, Mao replies, that he had warned him that every success would cost dearly. Furthermore, in the beginning of something new, all are enthusiastic, but with time many people become less dedicated. Thus, as a rise may be spectacular, a downfall may equally come very quickly! The commentator takes over Mao’s thread and continues that Huang had advised him to preoccupy himself with how to solidify the country, should he come close to victory, and to make the spirit of dedication not only the basis of his conquering China but also afterwards of his keeping it. Thus, Mao would in fact dedicate everything to resist foreign aggression; only just over a year later, he would send Anying to join the Korean War where his son soon was killed at the early age of 28.
Jiang Jieshi stands in front of at table pondering. Then he receives the report that the bombers are ready to attack. [They shall bomb the ceremony of the declaration of the People’s Republic on Tian’anmen square]. In the room next door Ailun cries. Jiang asks Jingguo to look after Ailun and bring him over. Jingguo explains that since Jiang had declared the day a day of ”national shame”, they should all be fasting. Jiang, though, gives his grandson some cookies. Ailun stops crying and tells his grandfather what a good person he is. Jiang, however, answers that if he were, they would not be here!
It is early in the morning and the rising sun bathes everything in red. Cars transporting the Communist top leaders to the ceremony drive through the Forbidden City.
Jiang Jieshi has assembled his generals. He tells them that their plan to bomb the celebration of
the declaration of the People’s Republic of China flounders. To fly from Taiwan directly would be too long a distance.
The US, though, do not want to be involved, and would not permit the planes to make a stop-over in South Korea.
Jiang therefore orders the navy to go ahead with their sea blockade of mainland China. He argues that the crucial
thing for Mao is now to feed the huge population of China. And if the GMD would persevere and regenerate, they
still would have a chance to win back the mainland. Then Jiang sends his officers away. Even Jingguo who wants to comfort his father, is sent away by him.
The commentator adds: Still clinging to his dream to re-conquer the mainland some time, Jiang Jieshi died in 1975 on Taiwan.
1949/10/1: Mao and all other high cadres and invited honorary guests arrive at the Tian’anmen. They get off the cars and great each other. Mao puts on his cap and looks in the direction of the Gate of Heavenly Peace which is bathed in red sunlight. White doves are flying over it. Then Mao starts walking in the direction of the Gate of Heavenly Peace. When he arrives at the stairs he stops and looks up. The morning sun is reflecting on the stairs. Then he starts climbing up the stairs and the group follows him. Upstairs everything is still bathed in red light. When all have reached the speaker’s platform, the movie briefly switches to the original record with Mao’s voice proclaiming the People’s Republic of China. The people on Tian’anmen square cheer and one can hear fires of salute. A military parade begins. Then the parade is halted for a moment, and a car comes out of the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Mao, standing in the car, greets the soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army, as “comrades”. Then the parade goes on. Finally Mao says five times “Long live the people” and the masses cheer.
A firework of celebration is shown (heroic music). It is interrupted by war scenes shown earlier in the movie to stress at which price the new state has been created.
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