The Chinese war drama “The Battle at Lake Changjin” amazed viewers in 2021. Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam co-directed this grand-scale film. It retells the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War1.
The movie boasts a huge $200 million budget, making it China’s priciest production ever1. It used over 70,000 extras, setting a record for production size. Dneg and Tau Films created 575 stunning visual effects shots1.
The film sparked debate due to perceived anti-American messages and historical inaccuracies. Yet, its success is clear. In China, it earned $769 million in under three weeks1.
It’s now China’s second-biggest box office hit. Only the 2017 blockbuster “Wolf Warrior 2” surpasses it1.
Key Takeaways
- The Battle at Lake Changjin is an epic Chinese war film co-produced and co-directed by renowned filmmakers Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam.
- The film has a staggering production budget of over $200 million, making it the most expensive film ever produced in China.
- The Battle at Lake Changjin features impressive battle sequences, stunning visual effects, and a cast of over 70,000 extras, making it one of the largest productions in history.
- The film has been praised for its cinematic grandeur but also criticized for its perceived anti-American propaganda and historical inaccuracies.
- The Battle at Lake Changjin has been a commercial success, grossing $769 million at the Chinese box office in less than three weeks, and is one of the country’s biggest box office hits.
The Battle at Lake Changjin: Overview
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is an epic Chinese war film that’s gained global attention2. The movie runs for nearly three hours. It follows Wu Qianli and his brother Wu Wanli during the Korean War3.
The film shows Chinese soldiers facing extreme cold and limited supplies. They fight against well-equipped U.S. forces. Despite challenges, the troops push forward to blow up the Shuimen Bridge3.
Plot Summary
The movie retells the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir4. It showcases Chinese soldiers’ bravery against harsh winter and superior U.S. firepower3. The destruction of Shuimen Bridge marks a key moment in their victory3.
Production and Release
The Chinese Communist Party commissioned this film for its 100th anniversary2. With a $200 million budget, it’s China’s most expensive movie ever4. It hit Chinese theaters on September 30, 2021.
Later, Netflix made it available worldwide4. The film grossed over $913 million globally. It became the highest-grossing Chinese film in history4.
Top Chinese filmmakers Chen Kaige, Dante Lam, and Hark Tsui directed the movie. It stars Jing Wu, Jackson Yee, and Kevin Lee2. Critics’ opinions vary widely on the film.
Some label it as propaganda. Others praise its historical importance. Many applaud the heroic portrayal of Chinese soldiers324.
the battle at lake changjin netflix
Netflix has brought “The Battle at Lake Changjin” to a global audience. This Chinese war film tells a gripping story of heroism during the Korean War5. It’s gained a 60% audience score on the platform, though ratings are still under 505.
Critics’ opinions on the film vary widely. Some give it lukewarm reviews, while others praise its historical accuracy5. Patrick L calls it one of the best war movies since “Saving Private Ryan”5.
The film boasts an impressive cast of Chinese filmmakers and actors. It includes Hark Tsui, Jing Wu, and Jackson Yee5. Netflix has helped share this unique perspective on the Korean War globally5.
A Box Office Sensation
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is a global box office hit. It grossed $287 million USD shortly after release6. The film outperformed “No Time to Die,” becoming the top movie worldwide that weekend6.
This success follows other Chinese cinematic triumphs. “The Eight Hundred” led the global box office last year6. In 2019, “The Wandering Earth” outperformed “Avengers: Infinity War” and was acquired by Netflix6.
The film’s story about the Battle of Chosin Reservoir has captivated audiences worldwide. It’s a must-see for fans of historical dramas and war films6.
A Cinematic Triumph
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has broken records in Chinese cinema. It grossed $913 million worldwide, making it China’s highest-grossing film ever7. The movie’s budget exceeded $200 million, one of China’s most expensive productions7.
Three acclaimed directors led the project: Chen Kaige, Dante Lam, and Tsui Hark. Action star Jacky Wu, known for “Wolf Warrior,” adds to the film’s appeal7.
The movie offers a unique view of the Korean War. It highlights the contrast between Western technology and Chinese spirit7. The film humanizes both Chinese and American soldiers, avoiding simple villainization7.
Despite pandemic challenges, “The Battle at Lake Changjin” has thrived on Netflix and in theaters. It showcases the Chinese film industry’s creativity and resilience7. This epic tale has become a cinematic landmark, captivating audiences worldwide7.
Critical Reception
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has sparked mixed reactions. Some praise its grand scale and thrilling action. Others criticize historical inaccuracies and perceived propaganda8.
Despite mixed reviews, the film’s box office success is undeniable. It stands as a milestone in Chinese cinema.
Box Office Performance
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is now China’s highest-grossing film. It earned over $913 million globally8. With a $200 million budget, the film runs nearly 3 hours8.
Its success showcases the growing influence of Chinese cinema. The film’s impact on the global entertainment scene is significant9.
Within two weeks, it made $667 million. This made it 2021’s fourth highest-grossing film worldwide9. By day nine, it grossed RMB3.50 billion ($543 million) in China10.
The film outperformed major releases like “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. The latter is expected to earn about $213 million9.
This success marks a shift in global film dynamics. In 2020, China’s box office earnings surpassed North America’s for the first time9.
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is estimated to earn around $800 million this year, surpassing the U.S. movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which is projected to earn approximately $213 million. This demonstrates the significant revenue potential of the Chinese movie market.”9
Historical Context
The Battle at Lake Changjin is a Netflix war film about the Korean War’s Battle of Chosin Reservoir. It shows the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army surprising U.S.-led United Nations forces in 1950. The brutal battle led to many casualties and forced U.S. forces to retreat11.
The film highlights Chinese soldiers’ heroism and sacrifice during the Korean conflict. It was China’s second highest-grossing film ever. Critics praised its action scenes and portrayal of Chinese military prowess11.
The movie shows Chinese forces facing superior American air and tank power. It contrasts Chinese industriousness with Western technology on the battlefield. The film portrays American forces as aggressive antagonists led by Douglas MacArthur7.
The Battle at Lake Changjin broke box office records in China. It earned $913 million globally, becoming the world’s second highest-grossing film that year. With a $200 million budget, it’s one of the costliest films ever made7.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| The Battle at Lake Changjin’s Box Office Performance | – Highest-grossing film in Chinese history7 – Second highest-grossing film globally in 2021, earning $913 million7 – One of the most expensive films ever made, with a budget over $200 million7 |
| COVID-19 Deaths per Million | – China: 3.7 deaths per million7 – U.S.: 3,042 deaths per million7 |
| The Battle at Lake Changjin’s Production and Release | – Directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam11 – Depicts the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November-December 1950 during the Korean War12 – Runs for nearly 3 hours and is shown in IMAX format12 – Focuses heavily on battle scenes and action rather than historical details12 |
The Battle at Lake Changjin celebrates China’s military achievements in past conflicts. It shows Chinese forces facing superior American military power during the Korean War. The film portrays Mao differently than Western media, depicting him making tough Civil War-era decisions7.
The Battle at Lake Changjin offers a unique view of a key Korean War moment. It showcases the Chinese military’s perspective and China-U.S. tensions during this critical time. The film’s success highlights its importance in modern Chinese cinema11.
Conclusion
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has left an indelible mark on Chinese cinema. At $200 million, it’s the most expensive Chinese film ever made13. Its worldwide gross of over $913 million made it 2021’s second highest-grossing film13.
The film showcases China’s filmmaking talent and technological prowess. Directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam, it involved numerous visual effects studios13. The production’s meticulous attention to detail ensured historical accuracy13.
This epic war drama reflects China’s growing global influence. It offers a fictionalized account of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir13. The film challenges American-centric narratives of the Korean War.
Its bold approach has struck a chord with domestic audiences14. “The Battle at Lake Changjin” stands as a significant contribution to the war film genre. It cements China’s perspective on this lesser-known aspect of history.
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Source Links
- https://www.ibc.org/features/how-the-battle-of-lake-changjin-is-set-to-top-2021-box-office/8020.article – How the Battle of Lake Changjin is set to top 2021 box office
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13462900/ – The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) ⭐ 5.5 | Action, Drama, History
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_battle_at_lake_changjin – The Battle at Lake Changjin | Rotten Tomatoes
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_at_Lake_Changjin – The Battle at Lake Changjin
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_battle_at_lake_changjin_water_gate_bridge – The Battle at Lake Changjin: Water Gate Bridge | Rotten Tomatoes
- https://www.bgr.com/entertainment/the-biggest-movie-in-the-world-right-now-is-a-chinese-blockbuster-youve-never-heard-of/ – The biggest movie in the world right now is a Chinese blockbuster you’ve never heard of
- https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/the-battle-at-lake-changjin-chinas-onscreen-contesting-of-american-aggression/ – ‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’: China’s onscreen contesting of American aggression
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-battle-at-lake-changjin-review-1235046896/ – ‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’ (‘Zhang jin hu’): Film Review
- https://forums.redlightcenter.com/yaf_postst147607_The-movie-that-will-most-certainly-be-the-top-grossing-film-globally-in-2021.aspx – The movie that will most certainly be the top grossing film globally in 2021 – Visual Media: TV, Movies, & More – Utherverse Forum
- https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/china-box-office-haul-battle-at-lake-changjin-1235084124/ – Half Billion Dollar Haul for ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ as Patriotic Holiday Propels China Box Office
- https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/19/the-battle-at-lake-changjin-review – The Battle at Lake Changjin review – China’s rabble-rousing propaganda war epic
- https://deadline.com/2021/10/the-battle-at-lake-changjin-review-china-international-critics-line-1234856385/ – Int’l Critics Line: Todd McCarthy On China Blockbuster ‘The Battle At Lake Changjin’
- https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/scanline-vfx-heads-war-battle-lake-changjin – Scanline VFX Heads Off to War in ‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13462900/news/ – The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) – News – IMDb
