AI Video Summary: [1080P Full Movie] "The War of Loong" here
Channel: CCTV6 CHINA MOVIE OFFICIAL CHANNEL
TL;DR
The video depicts the historical Battle of Zhennan Pass in 1885, where retired Qing general Feng Zicai leads a ragtag army of local volunteers and the Huai Army against a superior French force. Through strategic fortifications, unity of command, and a desperate final stand involving a fiery trap, the Chinese forces achieve a decisive victory that halts French expansion and collapses the French government.
Key Points
- — The film opens in 1884 with the French invasion of Guangxi following Qing defeats in Vietnam, prompting the court to recall retired general Feng Zicai.
- — Feng Zicai is appointed commander despite opposition from officials who cite his age and lack of resources as reasons he cannot fight.
- — Feng rallies local villagers and Zhuang hunters, including orphans and women, to form the Cui Army, promising to protect their homes.
- — A small victory against French mercenaries in Longlin Town boosts morale and proves the enemy is not invincible.
- — Internal conflict arises as the Huai Army receives better supplies than the Cui Army, leading to a fight that Feng resolves by executing a corrupt official.
- — Feng constructs a massive defensive wall at the First Gate (Guanqian Ai) and positions the Huai Army at the Second Gate to ensure unified defense.
- — The French attempt to exchange prisoners but kill them instead, confirming their treachery and hardening Feng's resolve to fight to the death.
- — Feng devises a plan to ambush French supply lines and rescue captured soldiers using a team of female swimmers and local knowledge of the terrain.
- — The French launch a massive assault on the defensive lines, utilizing superior artillery to batter the Chinese positions.
- — Desperate fighting ensues; Feng executes his own son for desertion to maintain discipline, though he later allows him to redeem himself in a suicide squad.
- — The Black Flag Army arrives to support the defense, but the French continue to push, destroying the Daqing Mountain battery.
- — As the First Gate falls, Feng orders the ignition of a massive wine cellar, creating a 'Fiery Dragon' that incinerates the advancing French troops.
- — The French, decimated by the fire and counter-attacks, are forced to retreat, marking a historic victory for the Qing forces.
- — The victory leads to the collapse of the French Prime Minister Ferry's cabinet and ends French aggression in the region.
- — The film concludes with a tribute to the soldiers who died defending their homeland, emphasizing the theme of national unity and sacrifice.
Detailed Summary
The film begins in the autumn of 1884, during the Sino-French War, as the French army invades Guangxi following their defeat of Qing forces in Vietnam. The Qing court, facing a dire threat to its sovereignty, convenes to discuss a response. Despite objections from officials who claim that the retired general Feng Zicai is too old, lacks resources, and has a volatile temperament, Feng is recalled to lead the defense. He returns to his hometown in Guangxi, where he is initially reluctant but is persuaded by the plight of his people and the honor of his past service. Feng begins the arduous task of rebuilding his army, recruiting local villagers, Zhuang hunters, and orphans who have been displaced by the war. He also integrates the more professional but politically isolated Huai Army under his command, though tensions immediately arise due to disparities in pay and supplies. Early in the campaign, Feng's forces achieve a small but significant victory against French mercenaries in Longlin Town. This success is crucial for morale, proving to the local populace that the French are not invincible gods. However, the victory is marred by internal strife within the Chinese ranks. The Huai Army, better equipped and fed, clashes with the under-resourced Cui Army (Feng's local militia) over food rations. Feng resolves the conflict decisively by investigating the supply chain, discovering corruption, and executing the official responsible for embezzling funds. This act establishes his absolute authority and unifies the disparate groups under a single command structure, ensuring that all soldiers are treated equally regardless of their origin. Strategically, Feng constructs a formidable defensive line at the Zhennan Pass, specifically at a location known as the First Gate (Guanqian Ai). He orders the construction of a massive wall and fortifies the surrounding hills, including Daqing Mountain. He cleverly positions the Huai Army at the Second Gate, a secondary defensive line, to ensure they do not retreat prematurely and to share the burden of the fight. The French, led by General Negrier, underestimate Feng's resolve and the strength of the local terrain. They attempt to negotiate a prisoner exchange, but when the Chinese bring the prisoners, the French kill them instead, revealing their treachery and eliminating any hope for a peaceful resolution. This betrayal galvanizes the Chinese troops, who now fight with the determination of men with no retreat. The main battle commences with a relentless French artillery bombardment that shatters the Chinese front lines. The French infantry, supported by heavy guns, pushes forward, inflicting heavy casualties. Feng's forces, including the 'Wolf Soldiers' of Guangxi, hold their ground with bayonets and swords, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat. The situation becomes critical as the French breach the outer defenses and threaten the main wall. In a moment of supreme discipline, Feng orders the execution of his own son, Xiangxian, who attempts to flee the battlefield. Although he later allows Xiangxian to lead a suicide squad to redeem his honor, the act underscores the severity of the situation and the necessity of absolute discipline. As the French forces close in on the First Gate, Feng initiates his final, desperate plan. He orders the ignition of a massive wine cellar located behind the defensive wall. The resulting explosion creates a 'Fiery Dragon' of fire and smoke that engulfs the advancing French troops, decimating their ranks and breaking their momentum. Simultaneously, the Black Flag Army, a guerrilla force, launches a surprise attack on the French supply lines and rear, further complicating the French position. The combined effect of the fire trap and the counter-attack forces the French to retreat in disarray. The battle concludes with a decisive Chinese victory. The French, suffering heavy losses and unable to breach the pass, are forced to withdraw. The film notes the historical significance of this event: the defeat at Zhennan Pass led to the collapse of the French Prime Minister Jules Ferry's cabinet in Paris, effectively ending the war on favorable terms for China. The final scenes pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, emphasizing the themes of patriotism, unity, and the willingness of ordinary people to sacrifice themselves for their homeland. The narrative closes with a reflection on the enduring spirit of the Chinese people and their commitment to defending their territory against foreign aggression.
Tags: historical war, qing dynasty, french invasion, battle of zhennan pass, feng zicai, military strategy, patriotism, chinese cinema