‘Best war film ever’ like Saving Private Ryan but many don’t know it | Films | Entertainment

War films are one of the most popular movie genres, with titles like Saving Private Ryan and Full Metal Jacket often topping the list of all-time favourites. But not every great war movie gets the attention it deserves.

One film in particular has been called “the best war movie ever” by viewers, and yet, most people outside South Korea have never heard of it. Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War is a 2004 South Korean film set during the Korean War. It tells the story of two brothers, Jin-tae and Jin-seok, who are forced into the army when war breaks out in 1950. Determined to protect his younger brother, Jin-tae volunteers for the most dangerous missions in the hope of securing Jin-seok’s release from duty.

Those who have seen it said that the film is full of raw emotion and powerful performances. It also delivers an unflinching look at the horrors of war.

“This movie blew my mind,” said one Google reviewer, Caleb An. “Fast forward a decade later and still it remains number one on my list relative to the genre. Hacksaw Ridge would be number two if you need a better idea as to how good this film was.”

Another viewer, Mike Taba, compared it directly to Saving Private Ryan, writing: “If you like Saving Private Ryan, you’ll like this too.

“Brotherhood and sacrificing are the main themes, and the most important thing it tries to tell us is how war changes humans into something else.”

Ben Scale added: “Battle scenes are more vivid, gritty and harrowing than Hollywood war movies. I was genuinely hurting during the tragic climax. An epic and harrowing war movie.”

Directed by Kang Je-gyu and starring Jang Dong-gun and Won Bin, Taegukgi became one of the biggest films in South Korea’s history.

According to Box Office Mojo, it earned over $68 million (£50mn) worldwide, including £38 million in South Korea alone.

The film won Best Film at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 93% audience score.

IMDb also included it in its list of “Great Unknown War Movies,” calling it a must-watch for fans of the genre.