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Bodyguards and Assassins
十月圍城
2009 139 min China, Hong Kong PG-13 16+
★6.6
Drama, Action, History
Director: Teddy Chan
Trailers
Description
In 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-Sen visits Hong Kong to discuss plans with Tongmenghui members to overthrow the Qing dynasty. But when they find out that assassins have been sent to kill him, they assemble a group of protectors to prevent any attacks.
Budget:
$23M
Worldwide:
$6.6M
Starring
Xueqi Wang
Actor
Tony Ka Fai Leung
Actor
Jun Hu
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Actor
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Supporting Actor
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Picture
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Debut
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Production Design
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Bodyguards and Assassins is a stylized historical drama that balances intimate human sacrifice with large-scale martial arts action. While praised for its ambitious narrative and emotional weight, viewers remain divided on whether its revolutionary political themes are profound or merely formulaic propaganda.
| Theme | The film excels as a 'Seven Samurai'-style ensemble piece where individual characters are given distinct, emotionally resonant backstories that make their eventual sacrifices impactful. | |
| Acting | Tony Leung Ka Fai delivers a compelling and powerful performance, though other prominent stars like Donnie Yen and Li Bingbing feel underutilized due to the expansive cast. | |
| Pacing | The film blends a slow-burning, character-focused first half with a high-intensity, 40-minute action climax that serves as an effective, if lengthy, payoff. | |
| Theme | The revolutionary narrative is viewed by some as a moving exploration of collective sacrifice, while others dismiss it as predictable, Soviet-style patriotic sloganeering. | |
| Direction | The martial arts choreography triggers significant disagreement; fans appreciate the realistic, high-stakes combat, while critics find the action sequences poorly designed or secondary to the melodrama. |