Previously, there was a general guideline in China for war movies: the story must be based on what really happened, or at least realistic to some extend. The primary reason was due to the political climate of China: it was simply too risky to create something out of imagination because if criticized, the political consequence would be serious. This film is the proof of the progress made in Chinese reforms that film crew need no longer to fear.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews