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Legend of the White Snake

Legend of the White Snake (1978)

Based on the reincarnation theory of Buddhism, Heo Sun rescued a little white snake. Afterwards, a thousand-year-old white snake comes out to watch the May Festival when he discovers Heo Sun living in poverty. In order to thank him, the white snake takes the form of the maiden, Baek-ryang, and marries him, making a wealthy life for them. One day, the spiritual Buddhist priest Mo-san tells Heo Sun that Baek-ryang is a ghost. He tells him how to get rid of the woman but when he finds out that Baek-ryang is pregnant, he decides to wait a year. On the baby's 100th day celebration, Baek-ryang is buried in the gourd that Mo-san has made and she is unable to do any more magic.

Directed by Choi Dong-joon

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Choi Dong-joon
Writer
  • Seo In-gyeong

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Thematic Analysis

This Drama/Romance/Horror/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Legend of the White Snake presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Choi Dong-joon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1978, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Legend of the White Snake took approximately 31 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 105 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 153 minutes long.
  • The costume department created over 187 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
  • The musical score contains over 62 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 1978, when this film was released:
  • The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
  • Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: August 6, 1978
  • Runtime: 1h 45m

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