Movie Digest
Set in the late 1930s during the second Sino-Japanese war, ‘Lunan Railway Brigade,’ a group of ordinary railroad engineers, laborers, and station personnel runs an underground resistance cell against the Japanese during their occupation of east China’s Shandong Province. The Resistance uses an inventive and perilous intelligence relay route through the many stations sprinkled throughout the Jin-Pu Railway line to plan and execute raids to hamper the Japanese advance with the enemy commandeering the rail lines as a supply chain.
The Feel-Good Part
It has a rich history and many connections to the past. The action sequences are excellent, and the wintry environment allows for some spectacular set-pieces.
The Disappointing Factor
You can get the impression that the film is overtly patriotic at moments. They used derogatory terms for Japanese in the movie, which can instill some hatred feelings.
In-Depth Analysis
The director and writer, Yang Feng, has adapted a compelling narrative based on several historical records and conversations with descendants of Lunan Railway Brigade members. It delivers a stunning work of cinema set against the winter backdrop of Shandong. It is also a metaphoric reflection of the inherent cruelty faced by the Japanese occupation. Yang Feng has written an intimate biography of ordinary guys whose bravery and perseverance in the face of extreme danger are worthy of praise. The cinematography is rich and meticulous, with every frame a gorgeously created plate that will mark the film as a cinematic achievement in and of itself. The film’s sophisticated use of CGI, treated with the same care and deliberation, serves as an augmentation to the realistic effects rather than a heavy-handed approach found in similar movies. Railway Heroes further demonized the Japanese by depicting gruesome torture scenes that instilled feelings of animosity between the two countries. Films like this frequently remind Chinese audiences that the peace they now enjoy is the outcome of the sacrifices made by these warriors – their forefathers. It is almost as if it is a subliminal threat or warning not to forget history.
Star Power
The film has an incredible set of casts that worked amazingly throughout. The most remarkable performances are by Zhang Hanyu and Fan Wei.
Overall Opinion
Whether you see it as a product of nationalism or simply a well-staged action film, it’s well worth your time.
