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The Fortress

Play trailer Poster for The Fortress Released Oct 6, 2017 2h 20m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In 1636, King Injo hides in the mountains to avoid being part of the Qing dynasty.

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The Fortress

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Justin Lowe The Hollywood Reporter Hwang competently orchestrates the film's disparate political and strategic developments, but there's little sense of stylistic inspiration or narrative innovation - it's all pretty conventional. Dec 8, 2017 Full Review Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) ... a film that will probably mean most to viewers from Korea, where it was made - though you don't need to know much about the historical background to gather roughly what the story is meant to suggest about the present. Rated: 3/5 Dec 8, 2017 Full Review Joe Leydon Variety "The Fortress" clocks in at 139 minutes, but feels much, much longer. Oct 20, 2017 Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine The Fortress, for all of its military trappings, is not an action movie. Viewers seeking a political drama mixed with a history lesson will find this much more to their taste. Rated: 7/10 Sep 6, 2021 Full Review William Schwartz HanCinema That gloomy sentiment, beyond the plot, is also perfectly represented via cinematography and sound design, granting The Fortress the uniquely dark aesthetic of showing us history from the side of the losers. Nov 3, 2019 Full Review David Noh Film Journal International The recreation of a historic moment in Korea's constantly embattled past becomes a rather enervating epic in the too diaogue-driven hands of director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Oct 20, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (14) audience reviews
Caley M It depicts the various stresses and dilemmas on all of the people facing an invasion force. Almost skipped due to low critic %. I guess some people only want to see boobs and explosions for 2 hours straight. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/24 Full Review JeeHwan L Korean audiences needs to know background of American history for watching Star Wars and world war 2 movies. Why American reviewers talk "It is bad movie" with out background. It's disgusting. This movie show amazing detail about Korean history. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/23 Full Review J K It is easy to miss most of the themes and important ideas in the movie for non-Korean viewers. Joseon, ancient Korea were friendly with the former Chinese nation before Qing came to power. Qing wanted Joseon to become its new ally or subject but Joseon did not believe it was honorable as it would betray their old relationship. Qing's Khan invades Joseon. Many civilians suffer especially the lower class people. The politicians and the king however are indifferent to their struggles. They are more concerned with their positions as ministers, their own self righteousness, being honorable etc. The director wants to show the value of the lives of then time citizens of Joseon. There is little chance Joseon's army can win against the vastly superior Qing military. But the incompetent king and his cabinet squabble over ideals and honors instead of being realistic while the people suffer and die. This is the predominant issue all throughout the Joseon dynasty that spans over 500 years. The little people suffering from wars, famine, and general corruption. The kings and government thinking only of themselves and devaluing the lives of regular peoples. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/05/23 Full Review s f Really incredible movie. Its a slow burn so it takes the right mood to enjoy and its a rewarding experience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow. A movie of epic caliber. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a touching film about dignity, integrity and self-sacrifice, contrasting in a canvas of conflict, cruelty, petty scheming and loss of innocent life. It is a true war film, spectacular in its gravitas, an absolute gem. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Fortress

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1636, King Injo hides in the mountains to avoid being part of the Qing dynasty.
Director
Hwang Dong-hyuk
Screenwriter
Hwang Dong-hyuk, Song Hae-sung
Distributor
CJ Entertainment
Production Co
Siren Pictures
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 6, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$138.5K
Runtime
2h 20m
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