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.
as Xu Fugui
as Xu Jiazhen
as Town Chief
as Chunsheng
as Wan Erxi
as Long'er
as Xu Fengxia
as Young Fengxia
as Xu Youqing
as Fugui's Dad
as Fugui's Mom
as Sgt. Lao Quan
as Obstetric Nurse
as Physician Wang
as Young Fengxia
as Mantou