Dragon Seed (1944)

In the peaceful heartland of Southern China, 1937, the Tan family thrives as prosperous farmers, blissfully untouched by the burgeoning Sino-Japanese War brewing in the north. Unbeknownst to the trials of the world beyond their idyllic farmlands, the Tans are a tapestry of diverse personalities and aspirations. The patriarch, Ling Tan, is a pacifist, cherishing his agrarian lifestyle and the unity of his family above all else. His sons, Lao Ta and Lao Er, are diligent workers, committed to the land they love, while the youngest, Lao San, dances to the beat of his own drum, a free spirit on the verdant plains. Among the Tan women, Jade, Lao Er's wife, stands out as an independent thinker, desiring more than the domestic servitude traditionally expected of her. She yearns for knowledge and literacy, a rebellious aspiration in the 1930s Chinese society. Ling Tan's daughter is wedded to Wu Lien, a city merchant who garners wealth from selling Japanese goods, a business practice that draws the ire of local students and indirectly allies him with the Japanese war effort. As the shadows of war finally reach their doorstep, the harmonious life of the Tan family begins to unravel. The sons heed the call of resistance, joining forces with the Chinese war effort. Jade and Lao Er become part of a migrant group, hoping to bring back strategies to protect their family from the enemy. Wu Lien, meanwhile, navigates the tumultuous times by collaborating with the invaders. Amidst the chaos, the Tans grapple with their choices, their loyalty to their homeland, and their commitment to each other. Dragon Seed chronicles their journey as they face the dire reality of conflict, testing their unity and pacifist nature against the backdrop of a land at war.

Dragon Seed is a drama movie featuring Katharine Hepburn.

It is possible to buy Dragon Seed on Amazon Video and Apple TV.