The Age of Shadows (2016)

Korean resistance fighters smuggle explosives to destroy facilities controlled by Japanese forces in this period action thriller.

Director:

Jee-woon Kim

Writers:

Jee-woon Kim, Ji-min Lee

Stars:

Byung-hun Lee, Kang-ho Song, Yoo Gong

13 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Byung-hun Lee	...	Jung Chae-San
Kang-ho Song	...	Lee Jung-Chool
Yoo Gong	...	Kim Woo-Jin
Ji-min Han	...	Yun Gye-Soon
Greg Chun	...	Jo Hwe-Ryung (voice)
Richard Epcar	...	Art Collector (voice)
Kirk Thornton	...	Kim Jan-Ok (voice)
Kyle Hebert	...	Ludvik (voice)
Zach Aguilar	...	Joo Dung-Sung (voice)
Sean Chiplock	...	Kim Woo-Jin (voice)
Kaiji Tang	...	Hashimoto (voice)
Michael McConnohie	...	Lee Jang-Chool (voice)
Xander Mobus	...	Jung Che-San (voice)
Chris Hackney	...	Heo Chul-Joo (voice)
Seong-rok Sin	...	Jo Hwe-Ryung (as Sung-rok Shin)

Storyline

Set in the late 1920s, The Age of Shadows follows the cat-and-mouse game that unfolds between a group of resistance fighters trying to bring in explosives from Shanghai to destroy key Japanese facilities in Seoul, and Japanese agents trying to stop them. A talented Korean-born Japanese police officer, who was previously in the independence movement himself, is thrown into a dilemma between the demands of his reality and the instinct to support a greater cause.

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Plot Keywords:

resistance | japanese occupation | 1920s | korea | spy | 

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Taglines:

Friend or foe? Infiltration and deception. Suspicion and betrayal. The enemy lies within.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is Warner Bros. first Korean production.

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Goofs

In the train one of the resistance members open the pocket watch with QUARTZ inscription on dial. Second hand of the watch moves in distinct steps reaffirming they have a quartz movement inside. Quartz watch was not invented in 20s and was not available till late 60s.

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Quotes

Jung Chae-San: The early bird catches the worm.
Lee Jung-Chool: The early bird gets caught.

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Connections

Featured in Boléro, le refrain du monde (2019)

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Soundtracks

Slavonic Dances. Op. 72, No. 2 in E minor - Allegretto Grazioso
Written by Antonín Dvorák

User Reviews

Not your usual run-of-the-mill freedom fighter story...

This is a stylish depiction of a plot to destabilise the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula in the early 1920s. The resistance fighters are determined to smuggle explosives into Seoul to destroy key facilities; to kill leading individuals in the oppressor's administration whilst avoiding the Japanese Imperial police who are hot on their trail - and who may well have a spy amongst their number too. I found it a bit too dialogue heavy and you certainly can't doubt the perspective of the good v evil narrative taken by director Jee-woon Kim exemplified by the occupying forces use of some pretty eye-watering brutality on their captives. Kang-ho Song. Yoo Gong and Byung-hun Lee - and the train on which they are travelling - work well in perpetuating the suspense and jeopardy - right until the end. The attention to detail is classy, creative cinematography lending much to the overall look and feel of this tautly paced effort and as cat and mouse adventures go, it is certainly a good one.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Vidio [Indonesia]

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean Japanese Mandarin English

Release Date:

23 September 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Age of Shadows

Filming Locations:

Seoul, South Korea

Box Office

Budget:

$8,620,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$165,685, 25 September 2016

Gross USA:

$541,719

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$54,491,162

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grimm Pictures, Harbin, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1