It was inevitable that Korean cinema would try to attempt every known genre that exists. Korean movie goers have had a staple diet of comedies, cop movies, horrors, and melodramas. There has been no real War epic that came close to matching those $100 million blockbusters from the big studios of America. That was, until now; now South Korea has Taegukgi.

Taegukgi interweaves the horror and beauty of War, around the story of two brothers Jin-Tae (the elder) and Jin-Seouk (the youngster) against the backdrop of the Korean war of the 1950s. The two brothers are forcibly drafted in to the South Korean army when Jin-Tae tries to save Jin-Seouk from being forced to join. His intervention leads to both being forced to fight for their country, and leaving behind his wife, her siblings and a mother who has lost the ability to talk.

War is a gruesome. People die, blood is spilled, and the innocent inevitably get caught up in the feud between the sides. The innocent are also drafted, some join voluntarily. Taegukgi focuses on the journey the two brothers take through the years of war, both of whom change through the experiences they face, and the tragedies that befall them. The love of family is tested many times, as both try to keep their sanity, and the focus on their goals, which gradually separate over time.

The feeling of War; the desperation and carnage; it is felt throughout the film. Limbs are blown off, hundreds die as thousands of bullets scatter across the ground, through the dug outs, and into the unarmoured bodies of soldiers who were once farmers, students or shop owners.

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It’s grizzly, it’s horrific, but captured and directed beautifully to accentuate the misery caused by war. This film is openly an anti-war film, and it’s a lesson to other directors that have attempted this, that you do not need monsters, ghosts or horror themes for War; War itself is a horror, and if you can capture the essence of that horror, then that alone would cause more distress and fear.

Kang Je-gyu directed, the rather excellent, Shiri back in 1999, and does an epic job of putting this brilliant taste of Korean cinema together for a measly $13 million. It is an absolute astonishment that a movie of such scale, such drama, and sheer quality was created with such a budget.

When I found out the cost of the film, before I had seen it, I expected a cast of a solid few dozen and some moderate use of special effects; perhaps even some cardboard cutouts. The result of that $13 million has been squeezed until the ink has drained – it seems not a penny has been wasted to ensure the film looks as though it cost $100 million. It makes me wonder, with deep thought, as to whether the hell the rest of the money goes in America – then I remembered that Korea doesn’t lavishly spend $30 million of their budget on a sole actor.

The untangling of what they went in to fight for, and what they become is as fascinating to watch as are the epic and bloody battles between the South Korean army and the Communist North Koreans. There is no mercy, and if mercy be given, then your life is taken. Prisoners of War are treated like dogs, or simply executed.

There are no trials, and the only laws the soldiers can follow is: kill or be killed. As the war rages, the thirst for blood grows ever larger, particularly with the eldest brother; in complete contrast, the youngest is vehemently opposed to the executions, and risking his own or his brother’s life, as he focuses on trying to get back to his sister-in-law and mother.

It is a number of unfortunate tragedies that cause some wonderful tension between the two, as well as their colleagues. Jin-Seouk becomes the sole voice of reason, as his brother begins to wage a war of his own. Glory and greed begin to attract him, as his brother attempts to cull this feeling of bloodlust. When Jin-Seouk’s life is in danger, and the family is threatened, things take a darker turn; one which will change both their lives forever.

The two main characters are thoroughly engaging, and even through the whole sentimental nonsense which reference flashbacks and “buddy” music, it never takes away from the emotional bond you feel for the two brothers. You hate them, you like them, you want them to die, and then you want them to live.

With a supporting cast no less entertaining, and who exhibit all the emotions of paranoia, delusions, insanity and fear that takes hold of those who are near the brink of the death is convincing. The film’s portrayal of death is nothing but brutal, and those faint of heart or the squeamish may prefer to turn their heads away as they watch two men repeatedly smash the skull in of an enemy. This film is not light on death. Yes it can also get overly sentimental and melodramatic, but honestly, these scenes are few and far between.

Taegukgi’s ending is perhaps rather predictable given the opening. Even with this fact acknowledged, I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards the two brothers, and the conflicts that have brought them at loggerheads with each other, all the time wanting to protect each other. In the end they wanted the same thing, but their own pride and personal opinion of each other divided them. It is a tragic, violent, and miserable film told in a manner with which it can proudly stand by America’s very best.

I should state, however, this film is not Shaving Ryan’s Privates. That film, for me at least, was good, but incredibly overrated. The book was far superior, as books are; the film alone has a rather contrived, “We love America – America rules” ethos. The battle scenes are incredibly well detailed, and jaw dropping scale, but the plot is anything but interesting.

The characters also felt lackluster and wanting more depth. Whereas Ryan Shaves Privates glorified the sacrifices of its soldiers; Taegukgi takes a different stance and instead makes no bones about making war the ugliest, most gruesome thing it is. Soldiers are not glorified, but empathy is felt, as the characters change due to circumstance, with characters that express fear, nerves and bravery and even treachery as soldiers of circumstance, in a war outside of their control.

Whether a fan of war films or not, Taegukgi is a brilliantly constructed film, with some perfectly weighted cinematography, direction and set pieces. The music only adds to an already polished product, and is very much worthy of your attention. The film is not without its flaws (there are some implausibilities) but these are not enough to scupper the gripping realism that Taegukgi entrances the viewers with.

Verdict: As ugly as it is beautiful, with a solid cast, epic battles and a great story. Worthy of your money, and your time