Taking Tiger Mountain was the very first model film produced during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Set during the civil war in 1946, it follows a detachment of the People's Liberation Army in Mandchuria as they are fighting a group of bandits hiding in the mountains. Based on a novel from the 50s, Taking Tiger Mountain was first a revolutionary opera before being made into film by director Xie Tieli.

Yang Zirong disguises himself as a bandit to infiltrate and destroy a bandit group. He joins hands with a hostage, and together, they fight against the warlord, Hawk.