Best Taiwanese war movies
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch war films from Taiwan, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The Puppetmaster 1993
Master puppeteer Li Tien-lu recalls his life in Japanese-occupied Taiwan during the first half of the 20th century.
68Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale 2012
[INTERNATIONAL VERSION] Mouna Rudo was born and raised among the Seediq people, an indigenous tribe in Taiwan, and as he grew to be a man he became a member of the Seediq Bale, a courageous band of native warriors. However, Rudo's way of life is threatened under the yoke of occupying forces from Japan, who took over the nation in 1895. As Rudo sees the traditions and honor of his people stripped away, he realizes the time has come to fight back, and in 1930 he brings together a group of former Seediq Bale soldiers, many of whom have been reduced to infighting, and molds them into a revolutionary army. Rudo and his comrades make their stand when they confront Japanese occupation troops at a youth athletic event, leading to a violent confrontation between the Seediq forces and their oppressors.
87Iron Sister 1997
Manchuria 1941: Caught sleeping with his Japanese major's mistress, Manchurian collaborator Tung Fei (Jackson Liu Hsiu-hsien) fatally shoots the man and flees for his life. Overcome by fatigue after hours of travel on horseback, Tung eventually awakens to find himself under the care of hunter Suen (Dick Wei) and his daughter, Ironic (Hsu).
76Eight Hundred Heroes 1975
As battle rages in Shanghai, a single battalion of soldiers led by Xie Jinyuan is ordered to hold back the Japanese forces at the Sihang warehouse. Girl scouts risk their lives to deliver food and medicine to the defenders.
65Strawman 1987
In 1940s Taiwan, during the last days of Japanese rule, an impoverished farming village is less concerned with colonial politics than with feeding their families. One day, an American bomb falls onto a field, where it lies unexploded.
63Return of the 18 Bronzemen 1976
Despite the national resistance, the Manchurians have taken over China, but the Ching Emperor fears that the Shaolin Temple disciples would overthrow the dynasty. So he disguises himself as a disciple, in order to become a kung fu master and control the Shaolin monks. But according to custom, he must pass the test of the legendary 18 Bronzemen before he can leave the Temple.
58A Home Too Far 1990
In 1950s, Chinese Civil War ends with the defeat of Republic of China and the establishment of Communist China. The 93rd Division's soldiers take their families with them, exit southwestern China and enter northern Burma (Myanmar). The hike through forest is full of disasters and short of supplies, but the survivors reach and settle within border of Burma. They build a village, and ally with local armed gang to resist Burmese government's attacks. Later, the relocated government of Republic of China offers to take the soldiers and dependents to Taiwan, but some are disappointed with the government and decide to stay.
60March of Happiness 1999
1945-1947, Taiwan. A teenage couple were deeply in love despite objections from the girl’s family. Their tragic story is played out in travelling troupes, tea-houses and western-style cafes, with the backdrop of Japanese occupation and the 28 February Incident.
46Beauty of Beauties 1965
Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties was one of the most ambitious films made in the Taiwan film industry in the 1960s. After leaving The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong and moving to Taiwan, filmmaker Li Han-hsiang mounted this historical epic. Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands.
42Forever Friends 1995
A couple of friends join the Taiwanese army to fight the Mainland Chinese. But life in the army isn't all that they dreamed off....
30Lady Piranha 1982
Six female POWs lead an escape from a North Vietnamese prison camp, then join the local rebel forces to plan an attack to wipe out the camp and free the rest of the prisoners.
20报告班长5:女兵报到 1997
20Storm Over the Yangtse River 1969
Storm over the Yangtze River tells the true story of undercover intelligence agent "Yangtze Number One" and his colleagues in Jianli County of Hubei Province, who risk their lives to carry out the "Dead Bridge Plan" to secure the "Yangtze 180 Blockade". Li Lihua gives an iconic performance as a strong and charming agent of an intelligence unit, engaging in a risky mission to save her unit chief-cum-lover, who is regarded as a traitor but actually is a double-dealing agent against the Japanese occupation. The film garnered four awards at the 1969 Golden Horse Awards, including Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress.
10Operation Inchon 1981
Recounts the so-called 'Battle of Inchon', an episode at the end of World War II during the amphibious invasion of Korea, resulting in a decisive victory and a strategic reversal in favor of the Allied forces.
10The Kinmen Bombs 1986
After a devastating artillery attack on the island of Kinmen, commander Chi Liang-chen and his battery prepare a counter-attack.
10The Battle of Ku-Ning-Tou 1980
10No Sir 1994
Hilarious sequel to the movies 'Yes Sir' and 'Yes Sir 2,' about the Nationalist soldiers of the Taiwan Army. This is equivalent in the US as M*A*S*H 3.
10Can't Stop the War 1982
In 1945, Japan had surrendered but the news did not reach a small village in China. The local guerrilla force still put up a hilarious fight with the Japanese command.
10The Longest Night 1983
Taiwanese war film based on a small-scale battle between the invading People's Liberation Army and the resisting Republic of China Armed Forces on a few small islands (including Dadan Island) in the Taiwan Strait in late July 1950.
10A Man of Immortality 1981
After the cession of Taiwan to Japan in 1895 by the Manchu government, people on the island staged a series of anti-Japanese revolts to oppose the tyrannical rule of the Japanese militarists.
10Fire Bulls 1966
The Warring States Period was a time of regional conflict as warlords sought to annex their neighbors and consolidate power across China. Set amidst this backdrop, "Fire Bulls" is an epic tale of the survival of a people and the heroism of one man. As the Yen army gathers on the outskirts of Chi seeking to gobble up its neighbor, the people of Chi are faced with the fall of the capital.
10The Women Warriors of Kingmen 1983
Action-war from Taiwan.
10Secret Mission 1974
Intrigue involving corrupt warlords and rebel spies in the Chinese provinces. Rebels take on the warlord power with brains and fearlessness.
10Black and White 1983
Taiwanese war film.
10Secret Agent Chungking 001 1970
Taiwanese spy thriller. Agent No 1, a super sleuth from Chungking, is sent to Nanjing to investigate the murder of a Japanese general, which leads to even more intrigue and skullduggery.
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