Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work.

• Shanghai Film Studio
• Era International Ltd
• Ge You
• Gong Li
• Niu Ben
• Guo Tao
• Jiang Wu
• Ni Dahong
• Liu Tianchi
• Zhang Lu