The story follows a group of volunteers in the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army who have been deployed during the Korean War. Zhao was an enemy who joined the soldiers of the Fourth Company as witnesses as history changed and several moments in history began to unfold. When Zhao is a Kuomintang commander, he gets captured in the Battle of Nanning. He soon gets led out of prison with the help of commander Tang Da Cheng on the grounds of ‘liberation fighter.’ When he gets brought to the battlefield of the Korean War, he is treated as a former enemy even by his comrades Chen Tian Fang as well as the other veterans of the Fourth Company. With so much happening within the trope, this war could change everyone’s life forever. What will happen when you can’t trust the people in your trope? A war could change everything and everyone forever. Watch this historical drama and watch how these men fight for their country.
The Feel-Good Part
Visually this drama is stunning. Some excellent sequences are just beautiful to look at. The action is always intense and genuinely enhances the claustrophobia and panic of the war. The story being told is also very interesting. It differs from modern war dramas because it has a fresh perspective. It looks less at the psychological effects of war or the relationships with their loved ones at home and more about the relationships they have with each other and how those affect the way they look at war. The drama also has a great soundtrack and is scored to perfection. While it is arguably not in line with most modern cinematic war films, it still manages to capture the essence of it in a beautiful manner using all mediums, from visuals to sounds.
The Disappointing Factor
There are a few decisions that seem out of place within the drama, and more often than not, this drama gets dragged on for way too long. There is also a tendency for many patriotic dramas or dramas with patriotic elements to come off as a bit surface level, and this drama has those moments. Some excellent sequences are a more fantastic look at strategy, how war is more of a game of strategy and not just pure violence, and a lot of that gets lost in the action sequences, which at some points in time seem over the top and brutal.
In-Depth Analysis
We rarely ever see films talk about war from inside the barracks. We never really know how a person who doesn’t fit into their trope ends up and how it can affect their team. This drama is refreshing as it can tell us how everyone was willing to put everything aside to fight for their country and what’s right. At war, your trope is who you protect, so it is inspiring to see how it is shown on screen. Some great moments could have been improved on but overall it is a stellar watch with beautiful visuals and intense action.
Star Power
CCTV is known for its historical dramas. Each drama produced under CCTV is masterfully crafted and stunning. Some of the best ones include Sword Snow Stride, Doulou Continent, and Three Kingdoms. The show is directed by Zhang Li, Jin Hao, and Dong Zhe who also works as the screenwriter for the drama. Together they craft an intricate story that is just really amazing to watch. Zhang Li directed other projects such as China 191, 49 Days of Sacrifice, The Road We Have Taken, and Ming Dynasty in 1566. Jin Hao produced other projects such as The Place of War, Peak Rescue, Killer Bee Invasion, and The Great Arms Robbery. Dong Zhe has credit as a screenwriter for Hundred Regiments Offensive, With You, and The Imperial Age. Our lead is Zhao He is played by Fu Xin Bo. He delivers a solid performance with some emotionally charged moments that genuinely leave us in awe at every moment. He starred in dramas and movies such as 1931 Love Story, Happiness Chocolate, Seven Friends, 4th Floor B Block, Saving General Yang, and Mei Wei Qing Ge. Kiki Dong and Leon Li also deliver some stellar lead performances, such as Yu San Wan and Chen Tian Fang. Each scene that the two act in left the audience in a great sense of awe. Kiki Dong stars in An Oriental Odyseey, Insect Detective, Weapon & Soul, Fighting Men of China, Asura, and Monk Comes Down the Mountain. Leon Li stars in Love Through a Millennium, Thorn, Granting You a Dreamlike Life, 1921, Summer Is the Coldest Season, and Blooming Bean Sprouts.
Overall Opinion
War dramas may not be for everyone, but it wouldn’t hurt to give this one a shot. There are some great moments and excellent cinematography, and it is a perfect watch.
