The Eight Hundred

Fantastic production. Amazing story. Of course, there is a strong Chinese patriotism layer, but it’s ok.
I was impressed by the production value, editing and direction.

Like a communist e-girl, I loved the way it looked and tried to ignore the propaganda.

This true story about a small group of Chinese soldiers defending the last outpost in Shanghai against the Japanese army, all in full view of the war-free zone living large on the other side of the river (!), works extremely well as a grand war epic, despite the cloying lapses into clichés. The images are often breathtaking and not without a genuine stirring of emotion.

Epicly brutal battle scenes, heroes dying suddenly quickly, as in life. Pathetic commanders and little people who only want to survive. And 100 meters from the battle, spectators literally looking at death through a lorgnette. It’s strange that this happened. There are gaps in logic , but it's a good movie about war - shit☮

Crazy to think this event took place. One thing that really struck me was how many foreigners where watching the battle from their balcony’s in the safe zone. This event definitely helped China receive foreign aid for the war effort against Japan. One history note to add, the bulk of the Japanese army was based in China at 80%. The allies only fought 20% of the Japanese navy in the pacific. Had it not been for China refusing to surrender, WW2 would have dragged on for many years.

Historical eastern heroism where individuals does not count that much. All for the country. Simply does not work for me to trigger patrioism as a western guy. Picturewise and the scenes themselfes are done great! Very obvious that the 800 tries to adapt to optic style and color of saturation of the 300 but that works better than expected. Overall I also learned a more eastern view on thing of that area that are glorified like this compared to the western one.