Cast
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Caroll Spinney
as Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)
Brian Muehl
as Barkley (voice)
Lianzi Ouyang
as Xiao Foo (as Lien-Tze Quyang)
Frank Oz
as Bert / Grover / Cookie Monster (voice)
Jerry Nelson
as Two-Headed Monster (voice)
Richard Hunt
as Two-Headed Monster (voice)
Martin P. Robinson
as Telly Monster (voice)
Jim Henson
as Ernie (voice)
Cheryl Blaylock
as Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (as Cheryl Blalock)
Edward G. Christie
as Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (as Ed Christie)
Arabella Hong
as The Shopkeeper
Ziu Ping Hua
as The Storyteller
Quan She-Zhen
as Monkey King
Liu Xio-Shen
as Monkey King
Xu Tien-Ed
as Monkey King
Crew
Director
- Jon Stone
Writer
- Joseph A. Bailey
- Jon Stone
Producer
- Kuo Bao-Xiang
- Xu Ja-Cha
- David Liu
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
Big Bird in China represents a fascinating example of Fantasy/Adventure/TV Movie/Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Jon Stone 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 pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1983, 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 Big Bird in China took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 75 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 113 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1983, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- The Cold War was entering its final phase.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: May 29, 1983
- Runtime: 1h 15m