The Fortress

I'm completely ignorant to the history of the time frame this movie takes place in, so I'm reviewing this as simply a movie rather than a true historical piece.

My favorite thing about this movie is the dialogue. For being over two hours long and not feeling bored the entire time is truly a testament to how well acted and directed this film is. You don't need a background in Korean history to understand what is going on in the film as everything is explained very well. Every scene is engaging because you can feel the sense of urgency of their situation, and as the plot develops new problems arise, and it was interesting seeing everyone's debate on what course of action should be taken.

Overall I highly recommend this film if you are interested in period pieces, or if you are a fan of great films in general.

Inevitably, with Game of Thrones having ended, many people will be looking elsewhere for a dose of historical politics & war, but few if any will match up.

The Fortress will be an interesting one for anyone interested who falls into that area, but it's a true story, telling of The Last Stand by a King holed up in a mountain fortress in what is now Korea, in a futile bid.

There's no fantasy here, just the political realpolitik and the bloodshed, but it's more measured.

This is quite refreshening turn when it comes to large scale historical military movies, as it's about survival and not victory. The competing advisors are judging weather war or conciliation with the far greater powerful Qing dynasty is the best course of action.

The settings are beautiful as is the choreography, and it also helps that the viewpoints of the foot soldiers is taken as seriously as that of those at the top.

It's a long movie and it's fascinating to watch, not all medieval movies have to be European! The Far East has done many good films in this way too which can be recommended.

Back to this one, it's far better than you expect. It's the story & acting that will capture you, and as you watch the advisors & king mentally battle to just keep their heads afloat in a merciless environment you will have your heart wrenched.

Very good watch, give it a chance.

Surprisingly good Korean history flic. Very good performance by the actors. No overacting. No trash. No cringe. Characters are well drawn. The script well written, featuring the predicament of the main protagonists. But note! if u want battle action, please opt for Lord of the rings or Avengers Endgame. Sry no offense. This is more a political movie!

That gloomy sentiment, beyond the plot, is also perfectly represented via cinematography and sound design, granting The Fortress the uniquely dark aesthetic of showing us history from the side of the losers.

Josean (Korean) King Injo (Park Hae-il) is being attacked by the Qing, led by the Khan. He retreats to a mountain fortress in deep winter, and listens as Interior Minister Choi (Lee Byung-hun) argues with the Prime Minister (Sung Hyun-soo) about whether to negotiate or fight. Meanwhile, the fortress villagers and soldiers, including blacksmith- turned-recruit Nal-soe (Go Soo) and his brother are slowly starving and freezing to death, and it is turning out to be a long, long winter.... This film is based on Korean history in the 17th Century, when China ruled much of the peninsula and in turn was being menaced by the Qing, the forces of Genghis Khan's empire. Overall, "The Fortress" points out the futility of war and, a bit unexpectedly, also that life in the end will prevail (just not for everyone). The film is quite long at about 2 1/2 hours, but it's beautifully drawn and especially interesting to see in the middle of a very hot summer; all the scenes of snowstorms made me feel a tad chilly, even!