Goguryeo-Tang Wars Reimagined in the movie The Great Battle

After Jo In-sung's role in A Frozen Flower, he comes back in a historical movie as the famous Yang Manchun, commander of Goguryeo's Ansi Fortress, in The Great Battle.

The Great Battle in Ansi Fortress was one of the decisive battles that shaped the Goguryeo-Tang Wars. Goguryeo was in its waning years and was suffering from domestic problems and the constant threats from Silla and Baekje. The Ducal Family of Li had overthrown the Sui Dynasty and has unified China. The 2nd emperor, Taizong, set his eyes on Goguryeo, with plans of absorbing the Liaodong Peninsula.

Yang Manchun was the commander of Ansi Fortress during the 1st Goguryeo-Tang Wars. Yang was in a direct, personal conflict with the generalissimo Yeon Gaesomun, who snatched State powers away by killing King Yeongnyu and installing King Bojang on the throne. Yang was one of the dissatisfied leaders and did not support Yeon on his coup. Due to this, Yeon Gaesomun was not keen on saving Ansi Fortress from Tang's Emperor Taizong's army but retreated to defend Pyongyang, the capital, instead. 

This was the heroic story of how Ansi Fortress was defended (reminds me of the movie Red Cliff) by the people. However, I had serious doubts whether Commander Yang was really able to hold and use the Holy Bow of Jumong and shot Emperor Taizong (only the 18th century The Jehol Diary narrates this part).

But, all in all, the movie was a nice prize away from stress - a gift for a historical geek!

Photo credits to the owner.