Directed by: Won Shin-yun (원싱윤) Starring: Yoo Hae-jin (유해진), Ryu Jun-yeol (류준열), Jo Woo-jin (조우진) Release Date: August 7th, 2019
The Battle: Roar to Victory is based on a very intense and dramatic true story of the Korean independence fighters in Manchuria as they organized to fight off the Japanese Imperial forces. This story in particular is about the legendary battle and first major victory of the independence militias at the battle of Bongo-dong (which is the Korean title of the movie). The independence fighters are a rugged bunch, many of them former hunters and farmers, who organize and use the topography of the region to outsmart and overwhelm the ruthless Japanese soldiers. The film stars Yoo Hae-jin (Intimate Strangers, Confidential Assignment), Ryu Jun-yeol (Believer, The King) and Jo Woo-jin (Default, Rampant).
The Battle: Roar to Victory looks very good and they did a great job bringing the environment alive. The dense forests and rugged topography of the land become a major feature of the battle and the environment feels like it becomes a character in of itself. But as much as The Battle: Roar to Victory wants to be the Korean Braveheart, the film comes across much too calculated in its approach. This makes it very difficult to get immersed in the story with the feeling of it being so manufactured at almost every beat.
Also, it is a big turn off when great historical significance gets drowned out by the cartoonish portrayal of the enemy, which is the Imperial Japanese Army here. For example, one scene depicts a high-ranking Imperial soldier dissecting tigers and then maniacally stabbing it in the neck as it awakens on a table where it is sprawled out. As the tiger has long represented the spirit of the Korean people, this brutalization and merciless extermination of this fierce animal is very symbolic. But it is actually scenes like this that go way overboard and feel unnecessary.
If The Battle: Roar to Victory had been an entirely fictitious movie, it may have been easier to accept the over-the-top characterizations. But as a historical action drama, it comes across as disingenuous and feels like a missed opportunity.
Runtime – 135 mins Subtitles – Korean, English Video – 1080p 2.35:1 AVC Audio – Korean DTS-HD MA 5.1
Special Features: – Commentary by director Won Shin-yun, Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol, Jo Woo-jin – Making Of ( 40 mins) – Deleted Scenes ( 3 mins 56 sec ) – Trailer ( 1 min 24 sec )
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