THE MOVIE

Taegukgi, or Brotherhood of War, is one of those rare films that doesn’t come along very often. In this day and age of big budget, surface heavy pictures you don’t expect to find a film that combines both the spectacle and excitement of an epic with the emotional personal touch of small drama. Yet, here we have it.

The film follows two brothers during the Korean War. When younger brother Jin Soek is conscripted his older brother Jin Tae also signs up so as to protect his brother. Jin Tae takes on everything, believing that if he becomes a war hero they will send his younger brother home, while at the same time if he does all the fighting Jin Soek won’t have to. However, as the horrors of war begin to amount both brothers see that what they had initially believed to be true, may not be and they both become different men.

This film is on a scale that I haven’t seen in a long time and not only that it features one of the most amazing and realistic depictions of war and all its inherent horrors that I have seen. This is a film that assaults all of your senses as you become swept along on this poignant story set against the backdrop of eventful times. While by no means perfect, and the middle section isn’t up to the film’s start or end and begins to drag, it never the less remains one of the most power and moving films I have seen in several years. I was delighted to see it being released locally having had to rely on my imported region 3 copies, now more people will get to see this film and that can only be a good thing.

THE TRANSFER

Video:

The 2.35:1 transfer looks great and does a good job of dealing with everything thrown at it. The image is clear and sharp and with good definition. It also deals with the visual style of the film well and the selected color palate comes across well. There is some dirt and scratches on the print, but these are minor and do not hamper viewing.

Audio:

The audio comes in the form of a thumping Korean DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1 track. This, as most war films are, is an aural assault and does a great job or putting the viewer into the thick of the action. Explosions, sound effects and the music are well integrated and all of the speakers get put to good use. The low end especially is nice on this soundmix and compliments the film well.

THE EXTRAS

There is a great collection of extras on this 2 disc set. Kicking things off is a making of documentary. This is very interesting and gives you enough information without dragging or becoming just like all the other making ofs out there. Next we get a short documentary about the Korean War. A great inclusion as it puts the film into a historical perspective for those who know little about the conflict.

Next there is another making of documentary about the creation of the film and how the people prepared for it. Finally there is a documentary looking at the filming of the movie and how the special effects were created. There are also some trailers, galleries and storyboards.

Overall a great mix of stuff that informs and entertains without seeming like after thoughts.

SUMMARY

This is one of the best films I have seen in a long time and deserves to be seen. Powerful, moving, exciting and heartbreaking it does what all good movies should. It does have flaws but its upside is too large to ignore.

The DVD is great and would make an excellent Christmas present for any movie lover in your life or even just for yourself.