Little Big Soldier (2010) - Review by Saniya Moin

Summary

For the Digital Exhibition Project, I have chosen to discuss the 2010 movie “Little Big Soldier”, starring Jackie Chan and Taiwanese-American actor Leehom Wang. This movie, which was also written and produced by Chan, experienced a 20 year production delay but finally began filming in 2009, eventually being released to audiences the following year. The film is set in the Warring States Period and shows the journey of a foot soldier from the state of Liang and his captive, a general from the state of Wei, as they travel to Liang after a vicious battle between the opposing troops. On the way, the Big and Little soldier interact with nomadic tribes, traveling merchants, a mysterious songstress and the fierce Wei army. Despite the clashing personalities of the free spirited Big soldier and the militant general, both come to learn valuable lessons of honesty, bravery and patriotism from each other. While this movie had limited box office success in Asian and American markets, it is still regarded as a formidable performance by Chan, with the Empire Online claiming, “[this] passion project for Jackie Chan, sees the star on his best form in years.” (Semiyen, 2010).

Historical Analysis

As mentioned, the film is set in the Warring States Period, specifically in 225 BC before the Qin Empire’s unification of China in 221 BC. The film features an accurate description of this time given that its prelude explains how many smaller states, such as Liang and Wei, were amongst those fighting against each other and the larger Qin army. While the actual battle it references in the movie is fictional, that being one of an ambush by Liang forces on Wei troops at Phoenix Hill, the picturization of the battle is valid. The validity of this picturization comes from its use of costumes and props, namely that of the state flags which feature correct Chinese inscriptions of both states. Particularly, the flag of the state of Wei mentioned in the movie shows the characters that uniquely pertain to it and not to the other, larger State of Wei fighting in the Warring States Period. The movie later shows the flag of Qin and that again shows the correct Chinese characters pertaining to it. Apart from the flags, the Qin armour further helps the movie maintain its historical accuracy. The state of Qin is known to use a distinct Lamellar armour which has many metal plates tied together into one suit (Jane, 2007). As seen in the movie, the Qin soldiers wear armour that has many square pieces connected by some sort of stitching. While the material of the armour in the movie isn’t distinctly that of metal plates, the structure of it is similar to Lamellar armour and is different from the armour worn by Liang and Wei troops. This scene also uses props to add to its picturization, showing chariots that were developed by Qin and used during the Warring States Period. Lastly, the general of Wei is seen wearing a white bandana that is later referenced as a mourning bandana. This is consistent with the Chinese tradition of using white as a colour of death and funerals, thereby maintain the film’s historical accuracy. Aside from costumes and props, the actual sets and landscape contribute to the film’s historical accuracy as well. The movie is set in a dry, desert landscape consistent with the geography of ancient China and the particular geography of the North, with Wei being a Northeastern state that would have had land similar to what is picturized (The British Museum, 2007).

The movie also shows tall walls within towns, which were often made by desert towns to keep nomadic invaders out. Again, this is consistent with the setting of the time. Where the movie strays from historically accurate imagery is in its depiction of the nomadic tribes. The tribe in the movie is shown to be wild, speaking illegibly and acting forcefully. This portrayal is stereotypical and highly simplified to portray a certain image. While the characterization of these people is exaggerated, their appearance and traditions remain correct. If compared to the Xiongnu nomads present in the time who, “clothed themselves with their [animal] skins, which were their only dress”, and whose, “favorite tactic was rapid raids into Chinese territory…[abducting] countless women, children and young people as slaves” (Hansen, 2006), the movie accurately shows similar clothing and scenes of the nomad abductions. Overall, Little Big soldier shows a historically accurate story of the Warring States Period with depictions of Asian traditions in a way that pays homage to its history.