Raining in the Mountain (1979) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The weakening Abbot's succession decision unfolds alongside a struggle over sacred scripture, while the new leadership confronts the temple's unresolved material and disciplinary problems.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Counsel and Competing Interests

As the aging Abbot seeks advice about his successor, Wen An arrives with White Fox and Wang Chi. Wen An offers support in exchange for the valuable scripture, while secret plans gather around the scroll.

Key Events

• The Abbot Seeks Counsel — As his health weakens, the Abbot summons outside advisers to help choose his successor. Characters: The Abbot, Esquire Wen An, General Wang Chi, Master Wu Wai Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Wen An Arrives with White Fox — Wen An arrives at the temple with White Fox and General Wang Chi. Characters: Esquire Wen An, White Fox, General Wang Chi Location: Three Treasure Temple
• A Conditional Offer — Wen An offers support in exchange for the valuable scroll. Characters: Esquire Wen An, The Abbot Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Wang Chi Favors Hui Tung — Wang Chi favors Hui Tung as the temple's next leader. Characters: General Wang Chi, Hui Tung Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Secret Plans Around the Scroll — Wen An and others discuss plans in secret concerning the coveted scripture. Characters: Esquire Wen An, General Wang Chi Location: Three Treasure Temple

The Guardian's Appointment

Chiu Ming becomes entangled in trouble near the Scripture Hall and is struck by Lieutenant Chang Cheng. The Abbot appoints him guardian of the scroll, prompting objection as the succession remains uncertain.

Key Events

• Trouble at Scripture Hall — Former convict Chiu Ming becomes caught up in trouble around the Scripture Hall. Characters: Chiu Ming / Hui Ming Location: Scripture Hall
• Chang Cheng Strikes Chiu Ming — Lieutenant Chang Cheng strikes Chiu Ming amid the trouble at the hall. Characters: Lieutenant Chang Cheng, Chiu Ming / Hui Ming Location: Scripture Hall
• Chiu Ming Guards the Scroll — The Abbot appoints Chiu Ming guardian and urges him to look beyond the scroll's worldly value. Characters: The Abbot, Chiu Ming / Hui Ming Location: Scripture Hall
• Hui Tung Objects — Hui Tung objects to Chiu Ming's appointment, while Hui Ssu is considered a likely successor. Characters: Hui Tung, Hui Ssu Location: Three Treasure Temple

The Water Test and Succession

The Abbot tests Hui Tung, Hui Wen, and Hui Ssu by asking them to bring clear water and explain their approaches. He chooses Hui Ssu as successor and announces a ceremony.

Key Events

• The Water Test — The Abbot asks three candidates to bring clear water and hears their different explanations. Characters: The Abbot, Hui Tung, Hui Wen, Hui Ssu Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Hui Ssu Becomes Abbot — The Abbot chooses Hui Ssu as his successor and announces a ceremony. Characters: The Abbot, Hui Ssu Location: Three Treasure Temple

A Temple in Need

As the new leader, Hui Ssu faces hunger and poor finances. He considers borrowing money and proposes that the monks grow vegetables on temple land.

Key Events

• Hunger Challenges the Temple — Monks complain of hunger, and Hui Ssu proposes growing vegetables on temple land. Characters: Hui Ssu, Complaining Monk Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Accounts Reveal Shortfalls — The accounts show heavy expenses and limited income; Hui Ssu considers borrowing money. Characters: Hui Ssu Location: Three Treasure Temple

Discipline and Unresolved Hardship

Hui Ssu discovers Hui Wen's payments to monks who secretly drank wine and ate meat, then orders land prepared for planting. He sends the outside supplier to await trial and asks Wen An to help with food and finances, but the temple's difficulties remain unresolved.

Key Events

• Hui Wen's Payments Discovered — Hui Ssu discovers that Hui Wen supplied money to monks who secretly drank wine and ate meat. Characters: Hui Ssu, Hui Wen Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Land Prepared for Planting — Hui Ssu orders the monks to prepare land for planting. Characters: Hui Ssu, Complaining Monk Location: Temple land
• Supplier Sent to Await Trial — Hui Ssu sends the outside supplier to Chang Cheng to await trial. Characters: Hui Ssu, Sells Food to the Monks, Lieutenant Chang Cheng Location: Three Treasure Temple
• Wen An Asked to Help — Hui Ssu asks Wen An to help improve the temple's food and finances; the difficulties remain unresolved. Characters: Hui Ssu, Esquire Wen An Location: Three Treasure Temple

Story Breakdown

• Succession Counsel — The Abbot invites advisers as he considers who should lead the temple.
  • Advisers Summoned — The aging Abbot calls outside advisers to help choose his successor.
  • Wang Chi's Preference — General Wang Chi favors Hui Tung in the succession discussion.
• The Scroll's Allure — The handwritten scripture becomes a source of outside interest and secret planning.
  • Conditional Support — Wen An offers support in exchange for the valuable scroll.
  • Secret Discussions — Wen An and others discuss plans concerning the scripture in secret.
• Chiu Ming's Appointment — Trouble around the Scripture Hall leads the Abbot to entrust Chiu Ming with guarding the scroll.
  • Hall Confrontation — Lieutenant Chang Cheng strikes Chiu Ming amid trouble at the Scripture Hall.
  • Guardian's Charge — The Abbot appoints Chiu Ming guardian and urges him to see beyond worldly value.
• The Leadership Test — The Abbot assesses three candidates before making his succession decision.
  • Clear Water Task — Hui Tung, Hui Wen, and Hui Ssu are asked to bring clear water.
  • Hui Ssu Chosen — The candidates' different explanations precede Hui Ssu's selection as the new Abbot.
• Hunger and Finances — Hui Ssu confronts shortages and searches for practical ways to sustain the temple.
  • Growing Vegetables — In response to hunger, Hui Ssu proposes that monks work the land and grow vegetables.
  • Accounts and Loans — Heavy expenses and limited income lead Hui Ssu to consider borrowing money.
• Discipline and Uncertainty — Hui Ssu responds to misconduct and seeks outside help, but the temple's difficulties are not resolved.
  • Hui Wen's Payments — Hui Ssu discovers that Hui Wen supplied money to monks who secretly drank wine and ate meat.
  • Awaiting Trial — Hui Ssu sends the outside supplier to Lieutenant Chang Cheng and asks Wen An to help with food and finances.

Directed by

King Hu

Key Cast

• Hsu Feng — White Fox
• Sun Yueh — Esquire Wen An
• Tung Lin — Chiu Ming / Hui Ming
• Tien Feng — General Wang Chi
• Chen Hui-Lou — Lieutenant Chang Cheng