Mulan gets the Disney Treatment

Every Chinese knows the story of Mulan (Muk-lan), who joined the army in her elderly father's place, not only hiding her female identity during 12 years' gruelling service, but excelling as a strong, tough warrior. She became a general and gained the respect of all her fellow combatants, and has been called China's Joan of Arc.

Now Mulan has been dragged from the fourth (or perhaps sixth) century into the 20th century - but Disneyfication of her story is criticised for trivialising her serious historical legacy.

Disney's latest film, Mulan, previews in Hong Kong on June 16 and goes on general release on July 9. It promises to be a grand movie. The directing team spent three weeks in China, researching authentic clothes and buildings, and seeking the right atmosphere and pitch for their film. There are vast Chinese landscapes and colourful characters. Computer animation, Disney says, will lend a new dimension to armies sweeping through grand mountain vistas.

But think of Disney heroines, and you picture pretty women with big eyes and slim figures, or perhaps old, chubby, friendly ladies with brooms. From Snow White and Minnie Mouse to Pocahontas and even Perdy of 101 Dalmatians, the image is consistent.

Mulan has not escaped the Disney treatment.

Women in a bookshop browsing through the Disney Mulan books on sale this week were not impressed. 'Muk-lan was a great female heroine, very strong, very tough,' said one, throwing up her arms and flexing her muscles to emphasise the point. 'She is a real model, an icon for us. She was willing to give her body to save her father. Very strong, traditional, filial Chinese. But here, [pointing at the picture shown on this page], she's too . . .', she shrugged, exasperated, lost for words.