Mulan

From ArticleWorld

Mulan is a Walt Disney animation based on an old Chinese legend.

The Story

This movie is based on the old Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. Mulan was a woman who disguised herself as a man so she could save her fathers life by taking his place in the army. Hun invaders force the Chinese empire to draft the male soldiers from every family and Mulan does not want her father, who is handicapped, to enter the army and sent to what is sure to be his death. While Mulan is serving in the army, she is recognized as a brave and courageous soldier. She is offered a government post, but turns it down to return to her family.

No one knows for sure if Hua Mulan really existed or if it was just a mythical Chinese legend. However, while her actual presence is unsure, it is proven that many women have been known to disguise themselves as men in order to serve in the armed forces.

The Movie

Mulan is not the typical Disney movie, and characters here are portrayed similar to those in Chinese art. It is also one of the first Disney movies where the female lead was not a princess, but instead a tough warrior. She is stronger, braver, and much more independent than most Disney heroines.

Disney went through a list of titles for this movie before finally settling on Mulan. Other movie titles considered include, The Legend of Mulan, The Lengend of Fa Mulan, Fa Mulan, and China Doll. Mulan is rated G (General Audiences) and is a total of 88 minutes long.

Mulan 2, the sequel to Mulan, did not go to theaters but was released direct to video in 2005.

Production

Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Distribution released Mulan on June 5, 1998. Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook produced the epic tale written by Robert D. San Souci. The voices making appearances in Mulan include Ming-Na Wen as Mulan and Eddie Murphy as the dragon.