Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
89%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: 13 wins & 13 nominations
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War is a cinematic masterpiece that captures the horrors of war with stunning visuals and heart-wrenching performances. Kang Je-gyu’s direction is nothing short of brilliant, as he seamlessly weaves together the personal stories of two brothers with the larger historical context of the Korean War. The battle scenes are a sight to behold, with an intensity and realism that will leave you breathless. While some may criticize the film’s emotional moments as overwrought, they are necessary to convey the devastating toll that war takes on individuals and families. Overall, Tae Guk Gi is a must-see for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling and masterful filmmaking.
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War is a movie that will make you feel like you’re in the middle of a battlefield. The battle scenes are so intense that you’ll feel like you’re dodging bullets and explosions. But don’t worry, you’ll get a break from the action to remind you that war is not just about fighting. The performances may be a bit over the top, but that’s what makes it fun. Overall, it’s a harrowing yet rewarding experience that will leave you feeling like you just survived a war.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Films, Anouchka Films, Orsay Films,
Distributor
IDP Distribution
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
A-San City, South Korea
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong graphic sequences of war violence
Year of Release
2004
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 25m
-
Language(s):Korean
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2004 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 15, 2005
Genre(s)
War/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Jang Dong-gun, Won-bin, Lee Eun-ju, Gong Hyung-jin, Choi Min-sik, Kim Su-ro, directed by Je-gyu Kang, written by Je-gyu Kang, Han Ji-hoon, Sang-don Kim, War, Drama, Korean language, R rating, box office gross $1.1M, reviewed by Jeff Strickler, Peter Howell, Stephen Cole, Marc Savlov, Bob Longino, Bruce Westbrook, Kaleem Aftab, Panos Kotzathanasis, Anton Bitel, Michelle Thomas, Rich Cline, audience score 93%, runtime 2h 25m, produced by Seong-hun Lee, sound mix Surround
Worldwide gross: $76,287,982
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $120,343,255
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 934
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 13,123,583
US/Canada gross: $1,111,061
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,752,684
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,068
US/Canada opening weekend: $260,135
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $410,359
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,447
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $12,800,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $20,191,826
Production budget ranking: 1,361
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $10,873,298
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $89,278,131
ROI to date (est.): 287%
ROI ranking: 474
Won-bin – Jin-seok Lee
Lee Eun-ju – Young-shin
Gong Hyung-jin – Yong-man
Choi Min-sik – North Korean commander
Kim Su-ro – Anti-Communist Federation member
Director(s)
Je-gyu Kang
Writer(s)
Je-gyu Kang, Han Ji-hoon, Sang-don Kim
Producer(s)
Seong-hun Lee
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
13 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (9)
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.
December 9, 2004
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
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.
November 12, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Although flawed, the film is obviously successful in bringing to life what has been called the 20th century’s ‘forgotten war.’
November 12, 2004 | Rating: 2.5/4
Stephen Cole
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
While Tae Guk Gi’s horrific imagery is peppered throughout with moments of surreal beauty, it remains one of the most realistic depictions of battlefield chaos I can think of.
October 19, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Even with its overemotional moments, it’s more honest than most.
September 30, 2004 | Rating: B+
Bob Longino
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
Brutal yet meaningful, agonizing yet touching, The Brotherhood of War is a harrowing but rewarding experience.
September 24, 2004 | Rating: 4/4
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
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.
April 24, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Kaleem Aftab
The List
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
December 16, 2018
Panos Kotzathanasis
HanCinema
June 10, 2005 | Rating: 8/10
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette
June 4, 2005 | Rating: 6/10
Michelle Thomas
Future Movies UK
It’s powerfully moving and thoroughly involving, although rather over-constructed.
April 6, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/5
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
The beauty of writer/director Je-gyu Kang’s work is his ability to gloss over the dramatic deficiencies with some of the best combat footage ever.
March 11, 2005
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star…
Plot
Two brothers are drafted into the Korean War, and the older brother makes a deal with his commander to take on the riskiest missions to protect his younger sibling, but his growing blood lust shocks his brother.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Jang Dong-gun and Won-bin in leading roles.
Je-gyu-Kang.jpg
