Overview: This Shanghai production is commonly regarded as China’s first dramatic martial arts film while the three-reel 1905 production DINGJUN MOUNTAIN is the first Chinese film to depict martial arts onscreen during a series of acrobatic stage-fighting routines performed by Chinese opera actor Tan Xinpei. THE THIEF IN THE CAR is a silent-era crime thriller whose plot was adapted from an unknown American detective story. A pair of convicted armed robbers recently released from prison seize on an opportunity to nab a shipment of silver that an iron company boss traveling by train intends to pay out as wages. The thieves escape with the loot and a famous detective is tasked with bringing them to justice. The film’s director is Ren Pengnian, who became China’s first major martial arts filmmaker with a subsequent string of genre releases to his credit including the 13-part wuxia serial NORTHEAST HERO (1928-31) and early Hong Kong “talking pictures” like LADY ROBIN HOOD (1947) and WONG FEI HUNG AND WIFE ERADICATE THE THREE RASCALS (1958).
AKA: Railway Robbers, Robbery en Route, The Thief, Che zhong dao, Chezhong dao, 《车中盗》
Genre: Action
Companies: Commercial Press Motion Picture Section
Release Date: 1920 (China)
Producer:
Director: Ren Pengnian
Action Director:
Cast: Ding Yuanyi, Bao Guirong, Zhang Shengwu, Ren Pengnian
