Movie description
Synoposis:The warring states of Ancient China serve as a backdrop for this pan-asian war epic, starring the charismatic Andy Lau. Going by the literal translation of the Chinese title, it's "Ink War", alluding to the fact that much of the battles in this movie relies a lot more on superior strategy in order to overcome a mammoth battle against a Goliath, with a 4,000 population up against the might of a 100,000 strong well-trained army. Based on a Japanese novel/manga Bokkou, Battle of Wits fictionalizes one of the episodes during 370BC, where China was still divided, and each nation seizing opportunities to usurp the other. Those familiar with history will know that eventually, the kingdom of Qin will ultimately unite the Middle Kingdom for the first time. However, the story sets its sights on the Kingdom of Zhao leading an attack on the smaller state of Liang. In its defence lies a mysterious man from the Mozhi tribe known as Ge Li (Andy Lau of course), who galvanizes Liang's population to stage a stand against what seemingly looks like impossible odds.A Battle of Wits tells the complex story of a lone warrior whose mission is to save a besieged walled city from the savage attack of a 25,000 strong army.Late in the 3rd century, when China comprised seven rival kingdoms, Ge-Li ? an remarkable savior in rags ? stands alone in an endangered city waiting to fulfill his destiny.It is an impossible battle however you look at it. But here is a lone man willing to climb every mountain and cross every river just to get to the city of Liang with only one aim: to deliver Liang from the overwhelming threat of the Kingdom of Zhao in her battle against the Kingdom of Yan.Ge Li is the last Mohist in the Warring States period of China. Facing him in the field are thousands of swift chariots ad many thousands more mail-clad soldiers. His battle will be the loneliest battle in the history of war. No battle has ever been this unmatched in strength.Would this one man alone be able to change the destiny of Liang? On the surface, this is a battle for which bloodshed would be inevitable. But in reality it is also a battle of wits. A struggle between power and desire: between a ruler and those being ruled. A message of anti-war through war itself. In Jacob Cheung??s A Battle of Wits , one of the most anticipated and lavish Asian films this year, Lau plays Ge Li, a Mozi warrior sent to save the small city of Liang from being besieged by the invading Zhao army during the Warring States Period in China.Based on the Japanese manga series Bokko by Hideki Mori and Kenichi Sakemi, its story outline recalls the biblical epic of David taking on Goliath (here a 25,000-strong army on foot, horses and in chariots), down to the jealous King Saul-prototype ruler of Liang (Wang Zhiwen), and the Jonathan-esque royal prince (Choi Si-Won), who is won over by the new hero in town.