Dead to Rights

This film, the second big-screen work by young genius director Shen Ao, yet it showcases rare talent. Its restraint in depicting brutal history, masterful use of cinematic language, skillful orchestration of audience emotions, and its unwavering focus on the perspective of ordinary citizens-victims of the war-all lead me to believe it can rival, or even surpass, classics like Schindler's List, solidifying its place as another landmark in WWII cinema.

This film, under the influence of militarism and fascism, shows how anyone-whether Japanese soldiers from poor backgrounds or young people from noble families-can be reduced to beasts. They no longer regard other humans as their own kind, thus massacring and insulting others without any qualms. I hope everyone will have the chance to watch this film in theaters, not merely because of the historical grievances between the Japanese and Chinese peoples. But because each of us, after seeing it, should reflect on a question: On the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Anti-Fascist War, has the world truly ended its war against fascism and militarism? In today's world of 2025, have such massacres and acts of extermination finally vanished?

Sadly, even to this day, those who committed the massacre are still enshrined in the "Shrine", and there are countless people who are forgetting or even denying this history that truly took place.

This is the significance of this film, to remind the world not to forget this heartrending history. Some people say that such films have been made too many times. But I would say, as long as war criminals are still enshrined in Japanese shrines, there will never be many such films.

As someone who has volunteered in oral history projects documenting this period, I was impressed by the film's meticulous attention to historical detail. The production did its homework-many archival elements mirrored materials I've encountered in my research. The inclusion of subtle but telling details demonstrates a rare commitment to authenticity that will resonate with history-conscious viewers.

From a filmmaking standpoint, this movie occasionally prioritizes structural precision over emotional release. Certain third-act transitions feel abrupt or awkward. This approach risks making pivotal moments feel more academic.

That said, these are minor quibbles against the film's achievements. The ensemble cast breathes life into the painstakingly recreated era, and the central metaphor of photography as both weapon and witness remains haunting. A worthy addition to the canon of historical cinema-one that treats its subject with both scholarly respect and cinematic craft.

First of all, never heard of these events before. The movie blasted that ignorance with incredible cinematography, powerful imagery and realism, and natural acting by the cast. Yes, its in Mandarin language and have to read subtitles, yet the movie draws you in, and is extremely immersive. Its also brutal to reflect the harsh realities, so be prepared. Its definitely a must watch in theatre - the color grading, lighting and sets are just beautiful. This movie exposes human harshness like Schindler's list did. The English title of this film is odd.

The movie based on a genuine story told us how ordinary people's lives were short and miserable amid Nanjing occupied in force and brutally raped by the Japanese military force in ww2.

I gave 8/10 is because the movie for some reason does not fully cover some the most brutal scenes in the hisotry. The direct way of facing those scenes is giving those miserable souls lost in the war a peace!