Battle of the Warriors (2006)

Story centers on a battle during China's Warring States Period, a series of civil wars, which spanned from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C. Based on a popular Japanese manga, which was in turn based a Japanese novel inspired by Warring States history in China.

Director:

Chi Leung 'Jacob' Cheung

Writers:

Chi Leung 'Jacob' Cheung, Ken'ichi Sakemi (comic)

Stars:

Andy Lau, Sung-Ki Ahn, Zhiwen Wang

4 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Andy Lau	...	Ge Li - the Mohist
Sung-Ki Ahn	...	Zhao Commander Xiang Yan-zhong (as Sungki Ahn)
Zhiwen Wang	...	King of Liang
Bingbing Fan	...	Liang Cavalry Chief Yi Yue
Si Won Choi	...	Prince Liang Shi (as Siwon Choi)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Siu-Ho Chin	...	Liang General Niu Zi Zhang (as Siu Ho Chin)
Tin Chiu Hung	...	Zhao General Gao He-yong
Yongjian Lin	...	Cai Qiu
Xinyi Liu	...	Colonel
Li Peng	...	Cai Qiu's wife
Shaan Price	...	Yuan Yu
Pengfei Qin
Wu Ma	...	Royal Tutor of Liang
Nicky Wu	...	Liang Archer Zi Tuan (as Qi-long Wu)
Lixiao Yang	...	Girl spy

Storyline

In 370 B.C, China was separated as seven nations and several other small tribes, one of these being the city state of Liang. The nation of Zhao is led by the terrifying prime commander Xiang Yangzhong who orders his troops to launch an attack on Liang in a bid to conquer the small city. Leaping to the defense of the cowed people of Liang is a warrior who goes by the name of 'Ge Li' from the Mo-Tsu school of thought, renowned for its defensive skills, respect for simplicity and peace, and belief in universal love. He is their last hope as the terrors of Yangzhong's troops are unleashed. The future of Liang now hangs in the balance, with all their hopes pinned on the mysterious Mo-Tsu warrior Ge Li...

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Plot Keywords:

ancient china | battle | war violence | violence | sword fight | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [UK]

Country:

China Japan South Korea Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

23 November 2006 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Battle of the Warriors

Filming Locations:

China

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,812,601

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boram Entertainment, Comstock, Cubical Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the scene where the two scouts escape from the enemy camp after the soldiers spot them, the surrounding light changes from pitch black to broad daylight. (Obviously someone forgot to put the filter on the camera lens.)

User Reviews

Based on the novel/manga Bokko (Mohist Attack)

Around 500 BC, the four greatest civilisations in the world - Greece, Persia, India and China - had a flowering of philosophy, perhaps due to the spread of urbanisation.

In Europe, Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle lived, and schools like Stoicism, Cynicism, Platonism and Scepticism flourished.

In the Middle East, mainly within Persia, but also conquered territories like Egypt and Judea, monotheism like Zoroastrianism and Judaism flourished.

In India, some of the most sophisticated and rational systems of spirituality and psychology developed in Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika and Vedic philosophy.

In China, the 100 Schools of philosophy flourished, which included Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism - and Mohism - the latter being the subject of the film.

While many cultural supremacists like to exaggerate the differences between countries, all of these philosophies fundamentally dealt with the same human condition, and shared a lot in common - for example, Stoicism and Buddhism were both intended as rational systems for coping with life and enhancing the mind - much of their wisdom revolves around acceptance that humans have limited power over the external world, so it is more rational to change oneself.

Mohism, one of China's great contributions to human understanding, was suppressed by the first emperor of China when he burnt all the books of non-sanctioned ideologies (the Qin state followed Legalism) - and was further forgotten during the subsequent Han dynasty which promoted Confucianism - the ideology which remained the most influential in China, Korea and Vietnam.

Surviving works were absorbed into the Taoist canon, and attempts to study Mohism are difficult thanks to it no longer being a 'living' tradition with an experienced lineage going back to it's founder. But what we do know, is that Mohism was similar to Buddhism and Christianity - a universalistic philosophy that believed in compassion toward all other humans. Mozi, it's founder, is said to have negotiated peace between kingdoms on the verge of war, and enhanced the fortifications of the kingdoms facing attack to dissuade violence.

In this film, the protagonist is a Mohist tasked with defending a settlement during the Warring States period around 450 BC. Elements of Mohist philosophy are demonstrated in his actions, making it interesting film for anyone with inclinations toward learning. It is also a pretty good action film or drama, as other reviewers will point out.