Is the Movie Mulan Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Sona
Updated Apr 24, 2023
Mulan
Mulan is a 2020 American movie that belongs to the fantasy action drama genre, and it was produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The movie is directed by Niki Caro and features a screenplay by Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin.
It's a live-action adaptation of the 1998 animated Disney movie Mulan, which, in turn, was based on the Chinese folklore story Ballad of Mulan. Yifei Liu stars in the leading role, playing Mulan, and the supporting cast includes Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Ron Yuan, Gong Li, and Jet Li. The story follows Hua Mulan, who is the eldest daughter of a highly regarded warrior.
When her father's health deteriorates, she disguises herself as a man to take his place in the military draft that aims to counter the Rouran army in Imperial China. Plans for a live-action remake began in 2010, but the project encountered delays and remained stuck in development for much of the decade. The movie was filmed in New Zealand and China from August to November 2018.
Is the Movie Mulan Based on a True Story?
The 1998 and 2020 versions of Mulan are both works of fiction and not based on a true story. However, there is a fascinating backstory to Mulan that adds to its allure. The tale of Mulan is derived from a fictional folk story that originated in the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, which dates back to the 4th to 6th century.
The story was first told in the form of a song called the Ballad of Mulan, which narrated the exploits of a warrior named Mulan, who fought in her father's stead. It wasn't a factual account but rather a legend that was passed down to children.
In 1593, playwright Xu Wei adapted the Ballad of Mulan into a play titled "The Female Mulan," and the narrative gained more prominence. Prior to Disney's 1998 Mulan, several film adaptations of the story had already been made. Over the course of 15 centuries, the tale of Mulan has been retold and reimagined countless times.
Is Mulan a Real Story?
Mulan is not a true story but is inspired by the life of Hua Mulan, a legendary warrior from Chinese folklore who lived during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. The original story of Mulan was chronicled in "The Ballad of Mulan," a poem that appeared in the Musical Records of Old and New. Guo Maoqian later compiled and published this collection.
Mulan Plot
Set in Imperial China, Mulan is a spirited and adventurous girl who struggles to meet her parents' expectations of becoming a dutiful wife. Mulan is a young woman in Imperial China, but her parents expect her to become a good wife instead of following her adventurous spirit. When the Rouran warriors invade, Mulan disguises herself as a man and takes her father's place in the army.
Through training and battles, she reveals her bravery and skill, eventually saving the Emperor and defeating the enemy. Mulan reunites with her family, but is offered a position in the Imperial Army as an officer.
In this reimagining of the legendary Chinese folk tale, Mulan challenges gender stereotypes and inspires personal empowerment for women. With impressive action scenes and a strong lead performance from Liu Yifei, the film highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and fighting for what is right.
Mulan Ending Explained
In the ending of Mulan, after rescuing her friend Chen Honghui, Mulan decides to reveal her true identity to Commander Tung, resulting in her expulsion from the army. While on her way home, Mulan meets Xianniang, who reveals the true motive behind Böri Khan's attacks on the outposts - to capture and execute the Emperor.
Mulan risks her life to warn her fellow soldiers, and despite initially facing disbelief, her friends stand up for her and Tung allows her to lead a unit to the Emperor's palace. At the palace, Xianniang uses her magic to deceive the Emperor and remove the city guards, leading to a brutal attack by the Rourans.
Mulan's unit fights valiantly to distract the enemy while Mulan goes to save the Emperor. During the battle, Xianniang, having developed a sense of loyalty to Mulan, transforms into a hawk and takes an arrow meant for Mulan, sacrificing herself in the process. Mulan manages to defeat Böri Khan, but her father's sword is destroyed in the process.
After rescuing the Emperor, he offers Mulan a position in his personal guard, but she declines and returns home to her family. Later, an emissary from the Emperor, led by Commander Tung, presents her with a new sword and a personal invitation to join the Imperial Army as an officer.
Mulan Movie Review
The story of Mulan, a beloved Chinese legend, has been retold in this film from an American perspective by a non-Chinese director. While the movie aims to promote female empowerment and challenge gender stereotypes that favor men, it also highlights the challenges of breaking free from entrenched gender roles. However, as an adaptation of the original tale, Mulan falls short and may not meet the expectations of fans of the classic story.
Is the Movie Mulan Based on a True Story - FAQs
Mulan is a 2020 American movie that belongs to the fantasy action drama genre, and it was produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
The 1998 and 2020 versions of Mulan are both works of fiction and not based on a true story.
Mulan is not a true story but is inspired by the life of Hua Mulan, a legendary warrior from Chinese folklore who lived during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.
The movie has been praised for its themes of female empowerment and challenging gender norms, making it a feminist movie in some regards.
Mulan is a live-action movie, meaning it features real actors and real sets, as opposed to an animated movie, which would feature hand-drawn or computer-generated animation.