Amazingly triumphant film.

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2004)

This review is based on Korean premiere on 5th Feb 2004, and I dare to say this flick will rock sometime out of Korea. I do not know when its premier will be in North America and Europe but could not argue more that this will be a gemstone in the world of war films. Director Jacky Kang is well-maneuvering between spectacles and dramas, and most certainly preserving historical accuracy. It is hard to say this film is totally free from the fragments of old legendary war films such as 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Thin Red Line', and 'Dear Hunter'. However, Director Kang shows his craftsmanship to overcome the limits of previous war flicks and creates another dimension of his own style and paragon of action-packed, humanity-based combat scenes. This film is the most luxurious production in Korean film industry so far and the first war movie that scoped on the life and death of normal Korean people during the Korean War, which will be very good source for understanding contemporary Korean society and war history. Probably a must-see for serious viewers but possibly a goof for narrow-eyed couch potatoes.