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Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

Play trailer Poster for Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War R Released Feb 3, 2004 2h 25m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Jin-tae (Jang Dong-gun) has always looked out for his little brother, Jin-seok (Won-bin), even shining shoes to raise funds for his college education. When the Korean War flares up and both brothers are drafted, Jin-tae decides he has to protect his younger sibling. Jin-tae makes a bargain with his commander: He'll take the riskiest missions if it will help shield Jin-seok from battle. In time, Jin-tae becomes a war hero -- with a growing blood lust that shocks his younger brother.
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

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Critics Consensus

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War sends viewers to the front lines of the Korean War, with grim yet rewarding results.

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Critics Reviews

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Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune The battle scenes are amazing in their scope and vehemence. But in the breaks between fighting, the movie reminds us that the costs of war can exceed the loss of life and limb. Dec 9, 2004 Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star At times the performances seem more akin to the histrionics of old silent movies, when emotions had to be seen because they couldn't be heard. Rated: 2/5 Nov 12, 2004 Full Review Stephen Cole Globe and Mail Although flawed, the film is obviously successful in bringing to life what has been called the 20th century's 'forgotten war.' Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 12, 2004 Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List It's an epic tale of jealousy, misplaced love and fraternal infighting that often feels closer in tone to Once Upon a Time in America than Platoon. Rated: 4/5 Apr 24, 2019 Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis HanCinema Kang Je-gyu seems to thrive in a film that could be described as a blockbuster regarding the war between North and South Korea, and individuals' relationships within this frame Dec 16, 2018 Full Review Michelle Thomas Future Movies UK Rated: 6/10 Jun 4, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dick C It's with marvellous scripts in this film... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/02/24 Full Review Frisian W Should be a 100 rating. This is the Saving Private Ryan of East-Asia. What a story, characters, effects, scenes, soundtrack and historical portrail. Iconic. All hail Korean cinema. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Epic Awesome movie Ever Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Not a perfect movie, but hands down one of the best films about The Forgotten War ever made. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member I cried so loud. I love this movie, shoe shine!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A heart-wrenching war movie about two Korean brothers fighting on the opposite sides of the war. A real story for many people who lived during this era. Great war movie for those wanting to learn more about Korean culture or the Korean War. During on re-watching of the climax, I left on Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven by accident and had goosebumps throughout. Be warned though: the action in this movie leaves no room for imagination. It's brutal and bloody, just like the war. So if you're squeamish about blood, you'll need to close your eyes more than once. 5/5. Cannot stress how much I love this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jin-tae (Jang Dong-gun) has always looked out for his little brother, Jin-seok (Won-bin), even shining shoes to raise funds for his college education. When the Korean War flares up and both brothers are drafted, Jin-tae decides he has to protect his younger sibling. Jin-tae makes a bargain with his commander: He'll take the riskiest missions if it will help shield Jin-seok from battle. In time, Jin-tae becomes a war hero -- with a growing blood lust that shocks his younger brother.
Director
Je-gyu Kang
Producer
Seong-hun Lee
Screenwriter
Je-gyu Kang, Han Ji-hoon, Sang-don Kim
Distributor
IDP Distribution
Production Co
Kang Je-Kyu Film Co. Ltd.
Rating
R (Strong Graphic War Violence)
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 3, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
2h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround