The Front Line
Seen it?2011 | 133 min | Drama, Action, War
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for action fans and history buffs. If you loved Hamburger Hill or Casualties of War, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 13 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Korean, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
In 1951 ceasefire is declared, but two remaining armies fought their final battle on the front line Towards the end of the Korean War, a South Korean battalion is fiercely battling over a hill on the front line border against the North in order to capture a strategic point that would determine the new border between two nations. The ownership of this small patch of land would swap multiple times each day. Kang is dispatched to the front line in order to investigate the tacit case that’s been happening there.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
15 wins and 15 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$21 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 29K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Hamburger Hill
Saturday SpecialAnother war drama.
Casualties of War Saturday SpecialAnother war drama, and a Saturday Special.
Escape from Sobibor
Sunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Blind Fury Weeknight WatchAnother action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
In Hell Weeknight WatchAnother action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Jang Hoon
- Shin Ha-kyunKang Eun-pyo
- Go SooKim Soo-hyeok
- Lee Je-hoonShin Il-young
- Ryu Seung-sooOh Gi-yeong
- Ko Chang-seokYang Hyo-sam
- David LeeNam Seong-sik
- Ryu Seung-ryongHyeon Jeong-yoon
- Kim Ok-vinCha Tae-kyeong
- Cho Jin-woongYoo Jae-ho
- Jung In-giLee Sang-eok