Review of Blades of Blood (2010) by Jim M — 26 Sep 2011

Korea. 1592: A newly unified Japan is preparing to invade Korea. In Seoul the weak leadership of King Seonjo of the Chosun Dynasty leeaves the country valunerable well the East and West Chambers of the Royal Court squabble for power. Labeled a traitor and weary of political ingfighting Lee Mong-Hak (Seung-won Cha) begins a revolt looking to seize the throne for himself before facing down the Japanese. But as Mong-Hak and his Grand Alliance drift further from their founfding principals he leaves enemies in his wake notably Blind Swordsman Hwang Jeong-Hak (Jeong-min Hwang) and the bastard son of a nobleman Gyeon-Ja (Seong-hyeon Baek), and leading hiscountry on the road to ruin.

Ok martial arts film from Korea let down by the fact that I know sweet fuck all about Korean history prior to the 20th Centuary. Has some deceint sword fights not overburdened with CGI. There's the usual martial arts philoosphizing one expects from an Asian film. Actors do a decient job but the emotional high points failed to resonate. Check it out if your into Asian or Martial Arts films if not don't waist your time.

Historical Note. The Seven Years War or Imjin War (1592-1598) was fought between Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi attemping to create an empire that spand Asia begin a war of conquest with Korea the first target to be followed by China and the Spanish possesions in the Pacific. Despite intial success in Korea the war bogged down thanks to Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and guerrilla actions by the Koreans. Chinese intervened on Korea's side and the war stalemated and eventually ended in 1598 with Toyotomi's death having bankrupted the nation. The war convinced both Korea and Japan to adopt harsh isolasonist policies and ended Japans dreams of Empire until the late 19th early 20th centuary. In terms of damage the war was on of the worst in Korean history surpassing even the Korean War (1950-1953).