(Synopsis & Intro) Asian countries have been at war for centuries, and Japan and Korea (or Joseon Dynasty back then) was not an exception. The movie covers the 1592-98 war period, when the Japanese, having unified the land during the Sengoku Period, invades the Korean Peninsula and nearly destroys it. (50%+ population killed)
Myungryang Battle (鳴梁海戰) is one of the battles during the period. The Japanese were close to winning the war, but the battle is a turning point, as the Japanese once again lose control of the sea, and supply routes are cut off.
The movie is quite long, and the first half can be a bit dull, explaining the background. While even grade school kids in Korea will know this by heart, this is probably to give explanation to the Westerners, most who probably will not be familiar with Korean history.
The war scenes later, however, will be satisfying. Though there is some level of exaggeration, the film does try to stay realistic. The naval action scenes are also quite something to see. I've seen some reviews trying to compare this to the film 300's sequels, but don't expect the B-grade stuff.
This film is said to be divided into 2 parts, and the sequel is currently being made, which will probably cover the Noryang Battle (露梁海戰), the last naval battle in the war.
Myungryang(鳴梁) is a strait in Southern Korea. The Chinese character myung(鳴) means the cry of a bird, named for the sound of the fierce waves in the area. It was a sea route avoided even by the locals, and the perfect place to set a deadly trap for foes.
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Admiral YI Sun-Shin is a heroic figure in Korea's history, and hundreds of films / TV shows have already been made. While the subject probably should get boring, every 3-5 years a new piece is made, and gains popularity. Koreans do not forget the blood that's been shed to protect this land.
KIM Han Min (director) previously made "The War of Arrows" also a period film showing action using bows, historically the Koreans' favorite weapon. The time period is after the Japanese War, when Koreans are invaded by the Manchurians.
Myungryang Battle (鳴梁海戰) is one of the battles during the period. The Japanese were close to winning the war, but the battle is a turning point, as the Japanese once again lose control of the sea, and supply routes are cut off.
The movie is quite long, and the first half can be a bit dull, explaining the background. While even grade school kids in Korea will know this by heart, this is probably to give explanation to the Westerners, most who probably will not be familiar with Korean history.
The war scenes later, however, will be satisfying. Though there is some level of exaggeration, the film does try to stay realistic. The naval action scenes are also quite something to see. I've seen some reviews trying to compare this to the film 300's sequels, but don't expect the B-grade stuff.
This film is said to be divided into 2 parts, and the sequel is currently being made, which will probably cover the Noryang Battle (露梁海戰), the last naval battle in the war.
Myungryang(鳴梁) is a strait in Southern Korea. The Chinese character myung(鳴) means the cry of a bird, named for the sound of the fierce waves in the area. It was a sea route avoided even by the locals, and the perfect place to set a deadly trap for foes.
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Admiral YI Sun-Shin is a heroic figure in Korea's history, and hundreds of films / TV shows have already been made. While the subject probably should get boring, every 3-5 years a new piece is made, and gains popularity. Koreans do not forget the blood that's been shed to protect this land.
KIM Han Min (director) previously made "The War of Arrows" also a period film showing action using bows, historically the Koreans' favorite weapon. The time period is after the Japanese War, when Koreans are invaded by the Manchurians.