Before watching Dongji Rescue,I re-watched the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru-a movie I highly recommend. It deepened my appreciation for the film's historical weight and emotional stakes.
Walking out of the theater, I was left with a quiet, overwhelming feeling. This is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen. It's not a fleeting spectacle but a visceral, textured experience. The visual effects are stunning, immersing you in moments so intense they make your heart race and your fists clench. The pacing is relentless, with conflicts erupting one after another, each hitting like a gut punch. There were scenes where I found myself holding my breath, tears pricking at my eyes.
What truly anchored the film for me were its characters. The director's portrayal of the "pirate brothers"-Adang (played by Wu Lei) and Abi (Zhu Yilong)-is masterful. Their dynamic serves as a thread that weaves the harrowing true story of the Lisbon Maru sinking into the narrative. Both actors deliver raw, nuanced performances, embodying the fear, resolve, and quiet heroism of countless Dongji Island fishermen from that era.
But the film's strength lies in its ensemble. Every character feels alive-flawed, human, and unforgettable. You see their terror and hesitation, yet also their courage and defiance. The director captures the grit and glory of ordinary people pushed to extraordinary acts, refusing to reduce them to mere background figures.
Some have compared this to Nanjing! Nanjing!, but I see no need for such rivalry. Both films are powerful, worthy of theaters, and offer distinct lenses into history. To pit one against the other feels unnecessary.
Ultimately, Dongji Rescue succeeds in its simplest, most profound goal: ensuring this chapter of history is seen, felt, and remembered. For that alone, it's a triumph.
