Animation Source Forums

As you all know, Disney's movie Mulan was based on the legend of Hua Mu Lan. To my knowledge no one has been able to figure out if Hua Mu Lan was a real person or just a product of storytelling (The Ballad of Mulan).

The story of Hua Mu Lan reminds me a lot of American soldier, Mary Owens, who pretended to be a male (John Evans) in order to fight in the Civil War. People only found out she was a female after she was wounded. This is a very similar scene to one in the first Mulan movie where Fa Mu Lan gets a rib injury and is banished from the troop after Shang finds out her true identity. I also find it interesting that both Hua Mu Lan (Fa Mu Lan) and Mary Owens were accepted by society after returning home, even though it seems like the opposite would be true for their time periods. The fact that these two stories are so close (most cultures have their own version) makes me think it's more folklore than history.

I'm not sure if the legend of Mulan is real or not, but I personally would like to think it is. I did a presentation on Hua Mu Lan in my World Literature course a year or so ago... I hope I can find it. It's just interesting to see women defy gender roles at that time (Northern Wei dynasty, 386 to 534 or Tang Dynasty, 618 to 907). I'm really intrigued by Asian culture, if you haven't noticed.

I love the strong, brave, fearless female characters. The movie gave "tomboy" girls like me a "Disney Princess" to look up to (no more princess in distress)!

I don't think that everything is "true", a good amount is probably exaggerated or lost in translation over the years. But most stories like this are probably based in at least some truth.

I posted a topic somewhat like this in the Robin Hood area concerning a legend about a tunnel (allegedly used by the green-clad outlaw himself) which was later discovered in real life.

That's really interesting. I never really got into Robin Hood (I was more concerned with Disney Princesses ). I always thought the story of Robin Hood was just a legend. I agree with you both though, the characters are most likely based on some fact and some fiction.

I haven't read the poem in a long time.. but wasn't Mulan a male soldier for YEARS.. before they found she was a woman..? I had to wonder how they didn't notice certain errr.. woman things..

I always found it amusing that Mulan had a dog named Little Brother in the film .. and also had a real little brother in the poem.. I wonder if he helped feed the chickens the same way ..

Fun Fact: Chris Sanders who voices Stitch also voiced Little Brother ... (the dog) even vaguley looks like Stitch headwise