Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- patriotic
- earnest
- uplifting
- history film night
- animation marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Thirteen-year-old Musa chooses to become a courier carrying secret strategic letters despite poverty and danger.
Surabaya youths armed with bamboo spears oppose allied forces equipped with modern weapons.
Musa and Yumna mediate the events of the November 10, 1945 battle for young audiences.
Captain Yoshimura knows Musa from childhood and functions as a father figure while longing for his family in Tokyo.
Films like Battle of Surabaya, and why
Grave of the Fireflies
animated wartime adventure centered on young protagonists, sacrifice, and resistance
The Wind Rises
historical animated drama combining youthful perspective, armed conflict, and emotional patriotism
The Last Samurai
independence-era war drama focused on youthful courage, national liberation, and asymmetrical combat
Movie Details
- Director
- Aryanto Yuniawan
- Release Date
- 2015-03-01
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (17)
Cast
- Reza Rahadian
- Maudy Ayunda
- Tanaka Hidetoshi
- Darryl Wilson
- Ian Saybani
- Sana Hamada
- Pritt Timothy
Common questions
- What is Battle of Surabaya about?
- A courageous teenage shoe shiner becomes a secret courier amid Surabaya’s violent struggle for Indonesian independence.
- What is Battle of Surabaya like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Battle of Surabaya as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Battle of Surabaya violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Battle of Surabaya as moderate.
- Which films are like Battle of Surabaya?
- Films with a similar feel include Grave of the Fireflies, The Wind Rises, and The Last Samurai.
- How long is Battle of Surabaya?
- Battle of Surabaya runs 99 minutes.
