The Eight Hundred
Available on iTunes
It's October 26th, 1937, and the savage three-month Battle of Shanghai is drawing to an end. The National Revolutionary Army seems doomed to failure. Its principal force has started retreating to the west while the "Eight Hundred Heroes" led by Commander Xie Jinyuan stay to defend the Si Hang Warehouse, and also to attempt to draw worldwide attention and support for the war against Japanese aggression. By accident, a group of draft dodgers, including Duanwu, Hubei, Goat, Iron and Abacus get caught and are forced to join the defense of the Warehouse. The Japanese army starts several waves of attacks. All the besieged draft dodgers want is escape from this "tomb". Across the river, residents of the posh foreign concessions are watching the dying struggles of the Chinese army indifferently. But as the battle rages on, the fearless bravery and sacrifice shown by the Chinese army begin to exert a subtle influence on the draft dodgers and the civilians in the concessions. The draft dodgers take up weapons and join the front line. People on the concessions start trying to lend their support. A brave young girl even risks her life to deliver a national flag to the Si Hang Warehouse. A collective bond among soldiers and civilians on both sides of the river is forged through the simple yet solemn flag-raising ceremony.
Starring Yi Zhang, Chen Yao, Augusta Xu-Holland
Director Guan Hu