Red Cliff

Red Cliff

The future will be decided.

Directed by John Woo

Produced by Lion Rock Productions, Showbox

2008145 min7.1 / 10

An epic historical war drama centered on strategy, alliance, and survival during China's tumultuous final Han Dynasty, balancing large-scale military spectacle with the human cost of conflict.

In 208 A.D., in the final days of the Han Dynasty, shrewd Prime Minster Cao convinced the fickle Emperor Han the only way to unite all of China was to declare war on the kingdoms of Xu in the west and East Wu in the south. Thus began a military campaign of unprecedented scale. Left with no other hope for survival, the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu formed an unlikely alliance.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Red Cliff violent? Yes, very. More violent than 95% of films.

  • Is Red Cliff scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 72% of films.

  • Is Red Cliff sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Is Red Cliff easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.

  • Does Red Cliff end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

52/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity64

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise25

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love72

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Red Cliff, and what each one shares →

Like Red Cliff

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Red Cliff

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Red Cliff, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Red Cliff, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Red Cliff, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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