Twilight of a Nation
Encyclopedia
Twilight of a Nation is a Hong Kong television series based on the events of the Taiping Rebellion
and the rise and fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
during the late Qing Dynasty
of Chinese history. The 45 episodes long series was produced by Siu Sang and was first aired on TVB
in Hong Kong in November 1988. It was broadcast again on TVB in 1996. The theme songs and insert songs in the series were performed by Roman Tam
.
when the government is plagued by corruption and foreign powers threaten to carve up China. Hong Xiuquan
(Hung Sau-chuen), born in an extremely poor Hakka
family, participates in the imperial examination
, hoping to pass and become a government official in order to provide for his family. He fails in each attempt and suffers from a nervous breakdown. Hong joins the Heaven and Earth Society
later. One day, he has a revelation dream to spread Christianity and claims that he is the brother of Jesus Christ, and has been empowered by God to destroy the demons (referring to the Qing forces). After rallying a group of supporters, Hong started the God-Worshipping Society to spread his religious ideas. Hong has another dream again, in which he is bestowed with a superior divine sword, known as the "Demon-Slaying Sword". Hong leads his society to start the Taiping Rebellion
against the Qing government and found the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
.
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...
and the rise and fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was an oppositional state in China from 1851 to 1864, established by Hong Xiuquan, the leader of the Taiping Rebellion...
during the late Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
of Chinese history. The 45 episodes long series was produced by Siu Sang and was first aired on TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
in Hong Kong in November 1988. It was broadcast again on TVB in 1996. The theme songs and insert songs in the series were performed by Roman Tam
Roman Tam
Roman Tam, known by the stage name Lo Man , nickname Law Kee , was a renowned Hong Kong Cantopop singer. He is regarded as the "Godfather of Cantopop".-Career:...
.
Plot
The story begins in the late Qing DynastyQing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
when the government is plagued by corruption and foreign powers threaten to carve up China. Hong Xiuquan
Hong Xiuquan
Hong Xiuquan , born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu , was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the "Heavenly King" and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.-Early...
(Hung Sau-chuen), born in an extremely poor Hakka
Hakka
The Hakka , sometimes Hakka Han, are Han Chinese who speak the Hakka language and have links to the provincial areas of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan and Fujian in China....
family, participates in the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
, hoping to pass and become a government official in order to provide for his family. He fails in each attempt and suffers from a nervous breakdown. Hong joins the Heaven and Earth Society
Tiandihui
The Tiandihui is a fraternal organization that originated in China. The Hongmen grouping is today more or less synonymous with the whole Tiandihui concept, although the title "Hongmen" is also claimed by some criminal groups.As the Tiandihui spread through different counties and provinces, it...
later. One day, he has a revelation dream to spread Christianity and claims that he is the brother of Jesus Christ, and has been empowered by God to destroy the demons (referring to the Qing forces). After rallying a group of supporters, Hong started the God-Worshipping Society to spread his religious ideas. Hong has another dream again, in which he is bestowed with a superior divine sword, known as the "Demon-Slaying Sword". Hong leads his society to start the Taiping Rebellion
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...
against the Qing government and found the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was an oppositional state in China from 1851 to 1864, established by Hong Xiuquan, the leader of the Taiping Rebellion...
.
Rebel forces
| Cast | Role |
| Ray Lui | Hung Sau-chuen Hong Xiuquan Hong Xiuquan , born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu , was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the "Heavenly King" and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.-Early... (洪秀全) |
| Felix Wong Felix Wong Felix Wong Yat-wah is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Wong is best known for his performances in many Hong Kong wuxia television drama series produced by TVB, such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes , in which he played the protagonist Kwok Ching... |
Yeung Sau-ching Yang Xiuqing Yang Xiuqing , , was an organizer and commander-in-chief of the Taiping Rebellion.Yang was a firewood seller in Guangxi before he joined the rebellion. In 1848 he converted to Christianity after reporting that he had experienced visions of God. In 1850 he began to claim that he could miraculously... (楊秀清) |
| Li Kwok-lun | Fung Wan-san Feng Yunshan Feng Yunshan was an important leader during the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing government 1850–1864. Feng was a companion of Hong Xiuquan from the very earliest days of the rebellion. Feng was the founder of the "God Worshipers" during the 1840s. This was the very first form the Taiping... (馮雲山) |
| Sean Lau | Siu Chiu-kwai Xiao Chaogui Xiao Chaogui was an important leader during the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing government 1850-1864. He was a brother-in-law to Hong Xiuquan and was able to serve as a mouth piece for Jesus Christ during many 'heavenly visitations' Jesus paid to the Taiping... (蕭朝貴) |
| Chan Wing-chun | Wai Cheung-fai Wei Changhui Wei Changhui was the North King of the Taiping Rebellion.-Pre-Rebellion involvement:During the early days of the movement during the 1840s, Wei was converted to Christianity by Feng Yunshan and Hong Xiuquan... (韋昌輝) |
| Newton Lai | Shek Tat-hoi Shi Dakai Shi Dakai , born in Guigang, Guangxi, also known as Wing King or phonetically translated as E-Wang, was one of the most highly acclaimed leaders in the Taiping Rebellion and a poet.... (石達開) |
| Aaron Kwok Aaron Kwok Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson... |
Chun Yat-kong Qin Rigang Qin Rigang , was a Hakka military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, known during his military tenure as the King of Yen or Yan King , which means swallow. He served under Hong Xiuquan's Taiping Administration and led Taiping forces to many military victories... (秦日綱) |
| Jimmy Au | Lee Sau-sing Li Xiucheng Li Xiucheng was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the Loyal King . This title was given because a Qing general attempted to bribe him to kill Hong Xiuquan, but he refused and told Hong Xiuquan. His many victories also made Hong very happy... (李秀成) |
| Lee Yiu-king | Chan Yuk-sing (陳玉成) |
| Leung Kit-wah | So Fung (蘇鳳) |
| Sheren Tang Sheren Tang Sheren Tang Shui-man is a famous Hong Kong television actress who is known for not signing a long-term contract with TVB, preferring to work on a per-drama contract with the TV station. She is most famous for her roles in the mega-hit TVB drama series like War and Beauty, La Femme Desperado, The... |
Hon Bo-ying (韓寶英) |
| Teresa Mo Teresa Mo Teresa Mo Sun-kwan is a Hong Kong actress. She started her career in 1970s, and joined TVB in 1981. She became famous for being cast in The Justice of Life, which was based on Stephen Chow's works... |
Yip Ling (葉苓) |
| Money Chan Man-yee | Hung Suen-kiu (洪宣嬌) |
| Kiki Sheung Kiki Sheung Kiki Sheung Tin Ngoh is a Hong Kong TVB actress. Kiki was originally with TVB, but moved over to rival station ATV in 1995, moving back to TVB once again in 2002... |
To Wai-tsan (杜惠珍) |
| Yung Wai-man | Lai Suk-kuen (賴淑娟) |
| Carrie Choi Kar Lei | Fu Sin-cheung (傅善祥) |
| Michael Tao Michael Tao -Career:Tao entered the acting industry in the 80s, affiliating with TVB. It was during this period that Tao earned the name "Housewife Killer" due to his overwhelming popularity amongst housewives , solidifying his position as a 1st tier television actor in TVB.Tao later moved over to rival ATV in... |
Lee Chiu-sau (李昭壽) |
| Bak Man-biu | Mung Dak-yan (蒙得恩) |
| Chu Tit-wo | Law Tai-kong (羅大綱) |
| Stella Wong | Yim Fu-yung (艷芙蓉) |
| Leung Hung-wah | Hong Yan-fat (洪仁發) |
| Chun Hung | Hung Yan-chung (洪仁忠) |
| Ma Chung-tak | Lai Chung (賴忠) |
| Ho Kwai-lam | Miu Pui-lam (苗佩霖) |
| Derek Kwok | extra |
| Wayne Lai Wayne Lai Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Biography:Lai entered TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the business department. In 1985, he gave up the job and trained in the TVB Acting School. He starred in a few series in 1989. He started out in some minor roles, and took on some more significant roles... |
extra |
Imperial forces
| Cast | Role |
| Lau Kong Lau Kong Lau Kong is a Hong Kong actor who works on the network TVB.-Biography:Little is known of Lau's private life, but he has been acting since 1976, when he first joined the now defunct network Commercial Television, he later joined RTV Lau Kong (劉江) is a Hong Kong actor who works on the network... |
Tsang Kwok-fan Zeng Guofan Zeng Guofan was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China.... (曾國藩) |
| Wong Wan-choi | Lee Hung-cheung Li Hongzhang Li Hongzhang or Li Hung-chang , Marquis Suyi of the First Class , GCVO, was a leading statesman of the late Qing Empire... (李鴻章) |
| Bobby Au-yeung Bobby Au-Yeung Bobby Au-yeung Tsan-wah is a Hong Kong actor best known for his comedic roles in many TVB television dramas. Au-yeung gained wide public attention in the 1990s for his portrayal of Ben Yu in the 1991 legal drama File of Justice, appearing in all five seasons of the drama... |
Tsang Kwok-chuen Zeng Guoquan Zeng Guoquan 1856 follow his old brother Zeng Guofan, was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China... (曾國荃) |
| Alan Au | Tso Chung-tong Zuo Zongtang Zuo Zongtang , spelled Tso Tsung-t'ang in Wade-Giles and known simply as General Tso in the West, was a Chinese statesman and military leader in the late Qing Dynasty.... (左宗棠) |
| Cheung Ying-choi | To-kwong Emperor Daoguang Emperor The Daoguang Emperor was the eighth emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1820 to 1850.-Early years:... (道光) |
| Nixon Pang | Ham-fung Emperor Xianfeng Emperor The Xianfeng Emperor , born Aisin-Gioro I Ju, was the ninth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1850 to 1861.-Family and his early years:... (咸豐) |
| Mary Hon Mary Hon Mary Hon is an actress from TVB in Hong Kong. She has appeared in many television series, such as Beyond the Realm of Conscience.-TV series:-External links:... |
Consort Yi Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi1 , of the Manchu Yehenara clan, was a powerful and charismatic figure who became the de facto ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China for 47 years from 1861 to her death in 1908.... (懿貴妃) |
| Pau Fong | Lam Tsak-tsui Lin Zexu Lín Zéxú ; 30 August 1785 – 22 November 1850) was a Chinese scholar and official during the Qing Dynasty.He is most recognized for his conduct and his constant position on the "high moral ground" in his fight, as a "shepherd" of his people, against the opium trade in Guangzhou... (林則徐) |
| Kong Ngai | Kei-ying Qiying Qiying was a Manchu statesman during the Qing Dynasty.His name in Chinese means "brave man of about 60 or 70".-Background and early career:... (耆英) |
| Stephan Yip | Chiu Sung-nin (趙崇年) |
| Wilson Tsui | Kong Chung-yuen (江忠源) |
| Chan Tik-hak | Heung Wing Xiang Rong Xiang Rong 向榮 born in Wuxi County Chongqing, was a general promoted from the ranks of a foot soldier in Qing Dynasty. He was involved in early military operations against the Taiping reform movement in Guangxi from 1850... (向榮) |
| Mak Chi-wan | Cheung Chiu (張釗) |
| Fung Kwok | Tin Fong (田芳) |
| Au Ngok | Kei-sin (琦善) |
| Mak Ho-wai | Yik-san Yishan (Manchu official) Yishan . Manchu official and member of the Qing imperial clan. Yishan belonged to the Bordered Blue Banner in the Eight Banners and was a great-great-grandson of Yinti, who was outmaneuvered by the Yongzheng emperor... (奕山) |
| Kwan Hoi-san | Squire See (施員外) |