Twenty-Four Hours in Chang'an

Synopsis

"The Longest Day in Chang'an" is adapted from Ma Boyong's novel of the same name, directed by Cao Dun, starring Lei Jiayin and Yi Yangqianxi. Set on the eve of the Lantern Festival in the third year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, it tells the story of death row prisoner Zhang Xiaojing, who is tasked with a critical mission, teaming up with Li Bi, the head of the Jing'an Department, to unravel a shocking conspiracy and save Chang'an within twelve hours. The exquisite costumes, makeup, and highly authentic recreation of Tang Dynasty Chang'an's cityscape have been widely praised, with a Douban rating of 8.1.

Overview

The Longest Day in Chang'an is a 2019 historical suspense drama adapted from Ma Boyong's bestselling novel of the same name. Directed by Cao Dun with Liang Chao as the executive producer, the series stars Lei Jiayin and Yi Yangqianxi in leading roles, joined by Zhou Yiwei, Reyizha, Wang Herun, Han Tongsheng, Xu Lu, and others. The full series consists of 48 episodes. It premiered exclusively on Youku on June 27, 2019, opening with a Douban rating of 8.7 and eventually stabilizing at 8.1.

With its exquisite production quality and highly authentic recreation of Tang Dynasty life, the series became one of the most talked-about domestic dramas of 2019. From costumes and makeup to architecture and artifacts, every detail strives to restore the true appearance of the prosperous Tang era, earning it praise from audiences as a "TV series that lets you tour a museum from home." The drama has also been broadcast overseas, marking another successful case of a Chinese historical drama going global.

Plot

The story takes place on the eve of the Lantern Festival in the third year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (744 AD). On the surface, the bustling capital city of Chang'an is peaceful, with its citizens busy preparing for the annual Lantern Festival. However, a shocking conspiracy is brewing in the shadows—suspicious Turkic "Wolf Guards" have infiltrated the city, planning to launch a devastating attack on Chang'an during the festival.

Li Bi (played by Yi Yangqianxi), the Chief of the Jing'an Department, is a young prodigy and renowned scholar in Chang'an. He keenly senses the impending crisis but lacks sufficient manpower and time to address it. In desperation, he makes a bold decision: to release the death-row prisoner Zhang Xiaojing (played by Lei Jiayin), entrusting this legendary former "Bad Lieutenant" with the mission to unravel the conspiracy within twelve shichen (twenty-four hours).

Zhang Xiaojing, a military veteran, once oversaw the investigation and arrest operations in Chang'an and knows the city's streets and alleys like the back of his hand. Sentenced to death for breaking the law, he is given the mission to save the entire city in its hour of peril. He is a contradictory and complex character: both a criminal and a hero, cynical yet driven by a sense of justice.

As the investigation deepens, Zhang Xiaojing discovers that the conspiracy is far more extensive and intricate than imagined. Behind the Wolf Guards lie even greater forces, and the seemingly calm factions within Chang'an each have their own agendas. Li Bi and Zhang Xiaojing must not only confront external enemies but also navigate the power struggles within the imperial court to uncover the truth. Within the urgent timeframe of twelve shichen, a thrilling life-and-death game unfolds in Chang'an.

Cast

Cultural Impact

The broadcast of The Longest Day in Chang'an sparked strong audience interest in Tang Dynasty culture. The drama's reconstructed model of Chang'an became a hot topic, with viewers marveling at the grandeur and prosperity of the Tang city's planning. Cultural elements such as the Lantern Festival, the ward and market system, and Tang-style costumes were vividly presented through the series, giving many a more intuitive understanding of the flourishing Tang civilization.

The cinematography and art direction of the drama reached cinematic standards. Each episode begins with the name of a shichen, from Mao Shi to Yin Shi, completely presenting the changes in light and atmosphere across the twelve shichen. This narrative approach based on time not only heightened the plot's urgency but also reflected the unique understanding of time in traditional Chinese culture.

Lei Jiayin reaffirmed his status as a powerhouse actor through his role as Zhang Xiaojing. Yi Yangqianxi, a young actor who started as an idol, demonstrated significant acting improvement in this series, earning recognition from the audience. Original author Ma Boyong expressed satisfaction with the adaptation, believing the production team achieved the utmost in recreating the Tang Dynasty's atmosphere.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26849758/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/长安十二时辰/20110435
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/长安十二时辰