The Founding of a Republic

The Founding of a Republic is a Chinese historical drama set in the years after the Second World War, as the country stands on the brink of civil war. Talks between Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek fail to produce a coalition government, and the conflict between the Communists and the Kuomintang decides the shape of the nation. The film follows the political and military struggle that leads to the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Han Sanping and Huang Jianxin directed, working from a screenplay by Wang Xing-Dong and Chen Bao-Guang. Tang Guoqiang plays Mao Zedong, Liu Jin plays Zhou Enlai, Wang Wufu plays Zhu De, Liu Sha plays Liu Shaoqi and Zhang Guoli plays Chiang Kai-shek, with Andy Lau among the large credited cast of 89. It was made with a budget of 10 million US dollars and took 63 million US dollars worldwide. It was the first of two films the directors made in chronological order, followed by Beginning of the Great Revival in 2011.

Produced by state-owned and commercial companies to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the People's Republic, the film drew a large ensemble of Chinese stars in supporting roles. Ratings stand at 4.9 out of 10 on IMDb from around 4,000 votes and 5.3 out of 10 on TMDB.