The Warring States (Zhan Guo) (2011)

40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(89 ratings)

Rival Chinese military strategists Sun Bin (Sun Hong-lei) and Pang Juan (Francis Ng) clash in this historic war adventure set during the Era of Warring States. From 475 B.C. to 221 B.C., China was in turmoil. Sun Bin and Pang Juan were two of the brightest military strategists of their time.… More Rival Chinese military strategists Sun Bin (Sun Hong-lei) and Pang Juan (Francis Ng) clash in this historic war adventure set during the Era of Warring States. From 475 B.C. to 221 B.C., China was in turmoil. Sun Bin and Pang Juan were two of the brightest military strategists of their time. Eventually, Pang found great success as the commanding general of the Wei state. However, his jealousy over Sun's close relationship with their mentor drove Pang to frame his rival for treason. Later, after intervening to rescue Sun from execution, attempting to trick him into recording all of his vast military knowledge, and plotting to kill him once he secured that priceless information, Pang found out just how cunning his adversary could be when Sun feigned insanity and fled to the Qi state. There, Sun quickly ascended through the ranks to become the state's chief military strategist. But the battle was just heating up. Shortly thereafter, Sun and Pang would find out who was truly the superior military leader when their respective armies clashed on the battlefield. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Jin Chen
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Apr 12, 2011 Wide
On DVD: Nov 15, 2011
Studio: New Video Group

Critic Reviews

Nick Schager, Village Voice
A morass of melodramatic romance, torture, and suicide.
Mike Hale, New York Times
The writer, Shen Jian, and the director, Jing Chen, have made no concessions to the non-Chinese viewer in their compressed, chaotic narrative.
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
This busy attempt at merging large-scale CGI action filmmaking with outsized historical drama is unremarkable.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Thrilling and exhilarating. Prepare to be at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Brent Simon, Screen International
Director Jin Chen's grand historical epic evinces some impressive costume design and much natural scenic beauty, but never locates a particularly persuasive or enrapturing tone.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Honglei Sun as Sun Bin

            Jing Tian as Tian Xi

            Francis Ng as Pang Juan

            Kim Hee-Sun as Pang Fei

            Kiichi Nakai as King of Qi

            Jiang Wu as Tian Ji

            Ma Jingwu
            
            Jun Wu
            
            Fang Zige
            
            Lei Gesheng
            
            Xin Xin Xiong
            
            Zhang Xiaojun
            
            Degang Guo
            
            Xu Jiao
            
            Yu Ailei
            
            Jin Xishan
            
            Zhong Jingguiyi
            
            Enhe Feng
            
            Hao Hao
            
            Sun Hao
            
            Huang Haibing
            
            Li Zixiong
            
            Liao Jingsheng
            
            He Yunwei
            
            Mao Hai
            
            Liu Yajing
            
            Xue Cun
            
            Sun Honglei
            
            Hee-seon Kim
            
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started