The Assembly DVD by Feng Xiagang

Great film… Great Story… Great Man.

Their orders were to fight until the bugle sounded the assembly call to retreat. But this bugle call was never heard…

Captain Guzidi’s greatest curse seems to have been to survive. He witnesses his whole battalion killed and then risks almost certain death to save the life off his commander. And yet, despite incredible odds he survives. It is only after the war is over that he realises his purpose. He must honour his fallen comrades by letting the world know of their sacrifice, and he will fight to have them declared war heroes even if it takes a lifetime to do it.

Assembly is at times very reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan. Assembly’s battle scenes are gritty and chaotic and, like Saving Private Ryan, they are utterly compelling. However, unlike Spielberg’s war movie, at no time does Assembly descend into clichéd sentimentality. Even after the battles have finished this film still keeps up the pace by telling the intriguing story of Guzidi’s moral victory. This film is a treat for those who appreciate war films with wonderfully layered characterization and thrilling back stories.

I have to admit, I couldn’t find much accurate historical information on the people portrayed in this film, or on the book that the movie is based on - Guan Si. However, even if only a few of the events shown on screen are fact, this is a story about heroes and the sacrifices they make for what they believe in.

In short, this movie shows its audience a realistic and compelling depiction of the 139th Battalion’s heroic sacrifice and the story of one man’s determination to get this sacrifice acknowledged. Assembly is a truly poignant war film and should be glorious addition to anyone’s DVD collection.