Set in 1905 China at the end of the Qing Dynasty, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Father of the Nation of modern China is making a personal visit to Hong Kong to meet with his fellow revolutionaries and overthrow the corrupt Qing Dynasty. But the Imperial Court already knew ahead of his visit, and dispatches an army of killers to assassinate Dr. Sun. Only a band of elite bodyguards and defenders loyal to the doctor can prevent his assassination, even if they will have to give up their lives in the process.
I too saw "Bodyguards and Assassins". It's unrated by the MPAA, but I feel that it would be inappropriate to show to younger viewers due to the violence and gore. Although it is a fictional assassination attempt, it does pique ones interest in the subject matter of the importance of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. The underlying theme that social class was a thing of the past and that a "new" China would emerge through this revolution plays a key role in this movie. This theme is the sticking point as the only son of a wealthy merchant is chosen at random to play the decoy of Dr. Sun while the Empress' assassins attempt to kill him. In one of the scenes, the son tells his father that he must fulfill his duty and play the part of the decoy regardless of his social class. It would not be looked upon nicely if he were to back out because it went against the philosophy of change they were hoping to accomplish. Another point I recall is from an interview with Donnie Yen, I believe. He mentioned how Asian heroes and American heroes differ in the cinematic world. Donnie noted that an American hero seeks out opportunities to become the hero and is waiting his chance at becoming the savior. On the other hand, the Asian hero does not seek out the glory of becoming a hero. The duty falls upon him whether he wants it or not. I think this would apply to the two characters Li Chung-guang and Sum Chung-yang.
Bodyguards and Assassins
One of these men is Donnie Yen who helps fight off the various assassins in the finale. It is the action moments seen in the finale that help sold the film to me in the trailers I saw. Sadly watching the film is a wholly underwhelming experience following any exposure to the teasers and trailers. Bodyguards and Assassins is no Ip Man when it comes to action and the half-hearted history lessons that the story provides do little to help it either.
In 1905, Sun Wen intends to come to Hong Kong (then a British colony) to discuss his plans for revolution with fellow Tongmenghui members to overthrow the corrupt and crumbling Qing Dynasty. Empress Dowager Cixi sends a group of assassins, led by Yan Xiaoguo, to kill Sun. Revolutionary Chen Shaobai arrives in Hong Kong a few days before Sun's arrival, to meet Li Yutang, a businessman who provides financial aid for the revolutionaries. As Sun Wen's arrival day draws near, trouble begins brewing in Hong Kong as Chen Shaobai's acquaintances are murdered and Chen himself is kidnapped by the assassins during a raid. Li Yutang decides to officially declare his support for the revolutionaries after the newspaper agency is closed by the British authorities, who do not interfere in China's political situation. Li rallies a group of men, including rickshaw pullers, hawkers and a beggar, to serve as bodyguards for Sun Wen when he arrives. Li's son Li Chongguang is chosen to act as a decoy for Sun Wen to divert the assassins away while Sun attends the meeting and leaves Hong Kong safely. Edit Translation
Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen stars in this epic blockbuster set in the chaotic world of Hong Kong circa 1905. Imperial assassins are sent to assassinate an important Chinese revolutionary hero before an important meeting and the only thing preventing it are a rag-tag group of martial artists. Bodyguards and Assassins (Shi yue wei cheng) was the winner of eight Hong Kong film awards, including Best Film. The 2009 film includes one of the longest battle sequences in cinematic history. 2ff7e9595c
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