In East Asia the 2 countries of 1 land have been politically maneuvered since the truce was signed at the end of the Korean War. The Americans most certainly don't want to see a united Korea; as they would lose a strategically important advantage of having a Military presence in Asia.
In the mid-1990s, a loyal South Korean secret agent is caught in a political vortex plotted by the ruling classes of North and South Korea.
That is the plot for this spy adventure thriller and it is one heck of a thriller I can tell you! If you have ever seen the 1935 film 'The 39 Steps' or the 1979 -from the John Le Carre book of 1974- film, 'Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy' you will know just how good this is. Its over 2 hours in length and unfurls at a very slow pace but, the slow path is an important part of the weaving and manipulation of the party's involved in what has been described in the past as, "The Greatest Game". And the risks are high...your life!
Its a gritty tense film so intricately woven and presented from the true story that it is based upon. The actors give a superb performance and they are so believable in their, will he, has he, what is, has it, can it, did it etc, etc cat and mouse game. There are a couple of time goofs which should really have been digitally corrected (should have been only one dictators statue in North Korea as Kim Jong Il's statue was not erected until after his father died). But camera work and lighting and detail was spot on. An excellent film that will keep people willing to give a foreign film with subtitles a viewing because, you/they will not be displeased!
The sad thing about the real spy that the film is based upon (its okay this is not a spoiler as it tells you in the credits.) is that he was imprisoned for 6 years -used as a scapegoat by the higher echelon scumbags- when, he should have been given a medal and extended the highest thanks from those miserable corrupt politicians of the era.
In the mid-1990s, a loyal South Korean secret agent is caught in a political vortex plotted by the ruling classes of North and South Korea.
That is the plot for this spy adventure thriller and it is one heck of a thriller I can tell you! If you have ever seen the 1935 film 'The 39 Steps' or the 1979 -from the John Le Carre book of 1974- film, 'Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy' you will know just how good this is. Its over 2 hours in length and unfurls at a very slow pace but, the slow path is an important part of the weaving and manipulation of the party's involved in what has been described in the past as, "The Greatest Game". And the risks are high...your life!
Its a gritty tense film so intricately woven and presented from the true story that it is based upon. The actors give a superb performance and they are so believable in their, will he, has he, what is, has it, can it, did it etc, etc cat and mouse game. There are a couple of time goofs which should really have been digitally corrected (should have been only one dictators statue in North Korea as Kim Jong Il's statue was not erected until after his father died). But camera work and lighting and detail was spot on. An excellent film that will keep people willing to give a foreign film with subtitles a viewing because, you/they will not be displeased!
The sad thing about the real spy that the film is based upon (its okay this is not a spoiler as it tells you in the credits.) is that he was imprisoned for 6 years -used as a scapegoat by the higher echelon scumbags- when, he should have been given a medal and extended the highest thanks from those miserable corrupt politicians of the era.