Red Cliff | Eastern North Carolina Now

    
Drama Played Out in the Reality of War

    The film, “Red Cliff,” “Chi Bi” is the Chinese derivative, from Director John Woo showcased the brutality of war, while emphasizing the subtleties of diplomacy as coalitions of need are built and the subterfuge of diplomacy is explored. In other words: “Red Cliff” is a fine film that not only mixes the authenticity made possible by the excellent computer graphics in staging the mega battle of Red Cliff, but the tactful reality of the social mesh that was China in the early third century AD.

    In 208 AD China, Cao Cao, who had successfully unified northern China, set his sights on the unification of southern China’s two predominate provinces, separated by the mighty Yangtze River: the Ying Province governed by the benevolent warlord, Liu Bei, and the ruler, the southern territory east of the Han River governed by warlord Sun Quan. The Imperial General Cao Cao, played by Fengyi Zhang, in the film, “Red Cliff,” was true to the real-life character, who was not only a bold warrior but was the consummate politician as well.

    It is widely believed by eastern Asian Historians that a victory by the ambitious Cao Cao over these two independent provinces in southern China would strengthen his chances of moving ever closer to the Imperial throne. John Woo successfully captured the man’s ambition upon the sweeping backdrop of ancient Chinese landscape that was preparing for war.



    The southern forces east of the Han River and led by Sun Quan, played Chen Chang needed some coaxing to go to war as allies with Liu Bei. Zhou Yu, played by Tony Leung (whose most notable role was that of Broken Arrow in the classic film “Hero”) was Sun Quan’s chief general and was not only a valiant warrior in the Battle of Red Cliff, but was instrumental in persuading Sun Quan to join forces with Liu Bei.

    Tony Lueng as General Zhou Yu: Above. Imperial General Cao Cao played by Fengyi Zhang: Below.



    Much of the film deals with hypothesized delicate diplomacy by Zhuge Liang until the next two battles begin and for those of you that enjoy the dramatic essence of military strategy; these staged battle scenes are spectacular in their use of color, choreographed military movements and managed enormity of the special effects that are such an integral component in this fine film.

    The southern forces east of the Han River and led by Sun Quan, played Chen Chang needed some coaxing to go to war as allies with Liu Bei. Much of the film deals with hypothesized delicate diplomacy by Zhuge Liang until the next two battles begin and for those of you that enjoy the dramatic essence of military strategy; these staged battle scenes are spectacular in their use of color, choreographed military movements and managed enormity of the special effects that are such an integral component in this fine film.



    And this is part the strength of this epic film: the well stage battles complement that intellectually stimulating dramatics of diplomacy. Like the battles, the diplomacy is complex, multi-textured and such an integral component in the telling of story of this historic event in the rich history of China. John Woo participated in the screenplay that was honed by a committee of writers, and Eddy Wong was just as important as the Art Director as Yue Lu and Li Zhang were extra-competent as cinematography.

    John Woo’s film has a big story to tell and it takes every bit of its 148 minutes to get it done. Time well spent. The language is Mandarin, so prepare to read quite a few subtitles … But, it’s well worth it.

    Released in theaters November 20, 2009. Rated R.

    This article is provided courtesy of our sister site: Better Angels Now.


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