Fantasia '18 Film Review - The Fortress

The history of outside forces trying to influence their will on Korea is long and winding. Today both West and East jostle to impose their influence. The 1950's saw the Korean War that split the country in two while in the 1600's the focus of this film the Japan were followed by China into the country to make their claim. In 1636 the Korean court had looked to the Chinese Ming dynasty for support. However, the Quing were on the rise sending an army equipped with modern warfare tools including cannons into the country to assert their power over the Royal court. King Injo (Park Hae-il) and his ministers are held up in isolated Namhan Fortress in the dead of a particularly harsh winter cut off from their larger army with the local villagers caught in the crossfire.

Interior Minister Choi Myung-gil (Lee Byung-Hun) leads one camp seeking peace and survival amongst the kings advisors while Minister of Rights Kim Sang-heon (Kim Yoon-seok) is the hawk wanting to fight never bowing down to the invading barbarians. The inner struggle between the two camps plus the Prime Minster somewhere in the middle battling for the King's favour at other is one of the fascinating elements of the piece. The other being the plight of the ordinary soldiers and conscripted townspeople lead by the local blacksmith Seo Nal-soi (Go Soo) who struggle to avoid frostbite and starvation as they guard the outside walls of the fortress with inadequate clothing and weaponry. 

Hwang Dong-hyuk presents a story of historical significance that was very well received at home. A close-up view of the inner workings of a court, backstabbing amongst officials is a tried and true occurrence from Ancient Greece all the way up to today's government officials. Where the story shines and could have used some more expansion is in the battle scenes. The skilled outnumbered Korean sword and marksmen battle Chinese cavalry and cannons leading towards and inventible result. 

Top-billed Lee Byung-Hun and  Kim Yoon-seok are unwavering in their positions. With the fortress surrounded, the Emperor outside their gates and their troops starving they each dig in to their positions. Kim's Minister of Rights is the better fleshed out character as he opens the piece killing an old man that lead the court across the frozen lake to the fortress when he refused to not do so the same for the approaching Chinese. The upshot of his actions left the old man's granddaughter with no surviving relatives forcing Kim to take care of her when she wanders makes up to the Fortress in search of her missing grandfather. 

The Fortress is a historical political piece that will likely have limited appeal. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk takes advantage of the time period of the events to display a winter swept harsh environment on screen. The film has a long runtime that could have benefited from a culling of the preamble before the first battle. However, those with an interest in the behind door maneuvering of high stakes politics in any era find it worth the watch. 

*** Out of 4. 

The Fortress | Hwang Dong-hyuk | South Korea | 2017 | 140 Minutes. 

Tags: Korea, 17th Century, Joseon Dynasty, Manchu Quing, Blacksmith, Courier, Siege, Fortress, Royal Letters,  Pigs Fat, Suicide, Prostration.