Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo (2004)

Director:

Je-gyu Kang

Writer:

Je-gyu Kang (writer)

Release Date:

6 February 2004 (South Korea)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Plot:

A drama about the fate of brothers forced to fight in the Korean War.

Plot Keywords:

Korean War | Korea | 1950s | Medal | North Korea

Awards:

9 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Dong-Kun Jang	...	Jin-tae Lee
Bin Won	...	Jin-seok Lee
Eun-ju Lee	...	Young-shin Kim
Hyeong-jin Kong	...	Yong-man
Yeong-ran Lee	...	Mother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kil-Kang Ahn	...	Sergeant Huh
Joe Cappelletti	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Min-sik Choi	...	North Korean commander
D.C. Douglas	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Min-ho Jang	...	Old Jin-seok Lee
Dae-Hoon Jeong
Jae-hyeong Jeon	...	Yong-seok
Yun-hie Jo	...	Jin-seok Lee's grandaughter
Doo-hong Jung
Bo-kyeong Kim
Su-ro Kim	...	Anti-Communist Federation member

Also Known As:

Brotherhood (International: English title) (UK)
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (International: English title) (USA)
Taegukgi (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic sequences of war violence.

Runtime:

140 min | 148 min (director's cut)

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:MA | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-18 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (original rating) | Hong Kong:III (video rating) | Ireland:15A (cinema release) | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:M18 (original rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | UK:15 (director's cut) | USA:R | Mexico:C | Argentina:16 | Indonesia:Dewasa

Company:

Kang Je-Kyu Film Co. Ltd.

Trivia:

The second film to sell over 10 million tickets in South Korea after breaking the highest grossing record set earlier by Silmido (2003).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During one of the scenes in Pyongyang when American tanks are driving through the crowd, a rectangular hole for the driver to look through can be seen in the front hull of an Easy Eight, where it is not located.

Quotes:

Jin-tae: [tears up the last will that Jin-seok was writing] Wills are for dying people. You've got to be strong.

Movie Connections:

References Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Life and friendship are always the most important

What to say about this splendid , gorgeous movie ? In one sentence : the best war movie I have ever seen - ever! It is perfect in every aspect: every scene is well done with sense and attention,really catching story , history facts.... just everything. The other chapter is special effects. These were done absolutely tremendous and it is far better than any American film and with deep storyline which almost made me cry you will get the full-value experience.

The movie starts retrospectively when old man returns in his thoughts to the Korean War where he fought next to his older brother. He seemed to him tough and rude and that he wants to reach the medal by any means that necessary. But all this is the only way to get younger brother back home to his sick old mother. The all movie draws changes of both brothers and their attitude to war and life. And finally when the older one things that his brother is dead he has nothing to fight for and changes the side - becomes one of the Communist. But during one of the battles they meet each other again this time everyone at other side - they are enemies now.....(very end of the movie)

So if you like the Asian approach to values and great war movies this must be your pick number ONE.