Overview
A monumental clash unfolds as a small band of defenders stands against an overwhelming force in ancient Korea.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- heroic
- visceral
- action movie night
- historical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, energetic direction, large-scale action, and performances while faulting its historical liberties and uneven characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes elaborate siege choreography, CGI-enhanced battles, slow motion, and energetic action while critics note substantial historical liberties.
Yang Man-chun commands roughly 5,000 defenders at Ansi against Taizong's army of approximately 200,000.
Yang Man-chun leads Ansi despite being regarded as a traitor by the Goguryeon leader.
The production presents Ansi fortress, invading armies, and combat set pieces through wide compositions and CGI-embellished spectacle.
Films like The Great Battle, and why
Red Cliff
large-scale historical war spectacle, fortress defense, and emotionally charged siege action
The Admiral: Roaring Currents
outnumbered defenders, heroic leadership, and visually expansive historical combat
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
fantasy-inflected siege spectacle, desperate stronghold defense, and sweeping battle choreography
300
ancient-world warfare, stylized action, and a heavily outnumbered force resisting invasion
Movie Details
- Director
- Kim Kwang-sik
- Release Date
- 2018-09-19
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (200)
Cast
- Zo In-sung
- Nam Joo-hyuk
- Park Sung-woong
- Bae Sung-woo
- Um Tae-goo
- Kim Seol-hyun
- Park Byung-eun
- Oh Dae-hwan
- Jung Eun-chae
- Yu Oh-seong
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Great Battle about?
- An embattled Goguryeo commander defends Ansi Fortress against an overwhelming Tang invasion in a kinetic, visually extravagant historical war epic.
- What is The Great Battle like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Great Battle as breakneck, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Great Battle violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Great Battle as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Great Battle?
- Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, energetic direction, large-scale action, and performances while faulting its historical liberties and uneven characterization.
- Which films are like The Great Battle?
- Films with a similar feel include Red Cliff, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and 300.
- How long is The Great Battle?
- The Great Battle runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Great Battle?
- In United States, The Great Battle streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel.
