China: The Roots of Madness (1967)

I wonder when CIA will make a documentary analysing the madness of its own country, happening right now

Having just stumbled upon this video in 2023, I'm amazed at my ignorance as a westerner of this recent turbulent past of China's, and at how prophetic the words, "we reached the moon in 1969 but never reached the mind of China..."

This gripping account of China is seen through the lens of a Western journalist. Theodore and this video encountered controversies in the era of McCarthyism. The film had been said to be made with the help of CIA while Theodore was accused of being too harsh on Chiang Kai Shek. The film glossed over the effect of opium on China forced upon China from 18th Century to 1920's. As many as 80% of male and 50% of female Chinese was estimated to consume opium with disastrous outcome. The period covered by the video was also known as China's Century of Humiliation. The Qing dynasty was dysfunctional. As the colonial powers moved in to cut up China, the Qing dynasty was finally deposed in 1911, and China became a republic. Absolute chaos under the warlords ensued followed by decades of a civil war. Carl Zha looks at this period from the Chinese perspective and explains why China has been shaped by these historical events in its response to external influences, Hongkong and Taiwan. He is interviewed by an ex-Marine American Brian Berletic. https://youtu.be/ghdKUaxyByY

Great first hand interview footage!

I loved this old style documentaries. More informative and elegant than anything today.

That is a fascinating documentary. It was autoplayed too. It has been a while since I was so immersed into a documentary and maintained attention this long.

I appreciate the opportunity you provide to the public to learn about a turbulent and tragic period of China’s documented history.

This is amazing history that I did not know, thank you for sharing.

Two fun background facts that are not mentioned in this video. 1. Emperor Guangxu did actually try to implement Japanese style reforms in China in 1898, but that attempt was completely stopped by Cixi. Now he was technically not Cixi's son but instead her nepew, but could it possibly be him that is meant to be the "son" that Cixi killed? 2. The "boxing" that the Boxer rebels practiced were actually a form of kung fu, and it was called boxing in Europe and America because kung fu wasn't well known there in these times. And it's also possible it still was unknown in these countries when this documentary was made.

Fabulous, first class commentary. This is what television was really made for; education of the highest quality.

Your Stalingrad videos are actually turning into a Stalingrad for your career. Absolutely love your content.

Human in general is maniac, not just Chinese. All it takes is to study the history.

You know you're in trouble when you counter bullets with magical thinking...

One of the best documentary films I’ve seen in my life. I’ve been to China 21 times and lived there for a year at a time. I love China and the people there with all my heart.

Great documentary.

I loved to read Pearl Buck's writings when I was a kid...My Dad referred to CKS as "Cash My Check".

Firstly, anti-imperialism. Then, anti-capitalism. Now assertive nationalism. They intertwined to become the swirling storm we face today.

STILL, there are parts that had been cut up from this documentary!!! INTRESTING...

Excellent documentary thanks

Well made doc 👍