Zhang Jizhong shoots Ode to Gallantry in Wudang

Zhang Jizhong, one of the most prominent television producers in China, shot his version of Ode to Gallantry in scenic spots on Wudang Mountains recently.

The crew of Ode to Gallantry, shot the teleplay in areas such as Purple Heaven Palace, Xiao Yao Valley, Prince Slope, and South Crag over eight days.

The kickoff ceremony of Ode to Gallantry shooting in the Taichi Lake area, Wudang Mountains, on Aug 16, 2014.[Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

This is the third time for Zhang to shoot a TV play on Wudang Mountains. He once shot Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre and A Journey to the West there.

Ode to Gallantry is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first serialised in Hong Kong from June 11, 1966 to April 19 the next year in the newspaper Ming Pao. The novel shares the same Chinese title as a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, which was used as its epigraph.

Zhang Jizhong and Li Jingyang, leading lady of the TV play Ode to Gallantry ride a jetski in Taichi Lake, Wudang Mountains.[Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

Zhang said during an interview with Youth.cn that his Ode to Gallantry will be different from previous versions. The play will stay loyal to the original novel as much as possible and center around the leading role Shi Potian, a simple and honest man in the novel. Zhang also said there would be comedic elements added to the new play.

Contributed by Wang Liang and Jiang Yuanbo from Wudang Mountains Tourism Bureau