For international audiences seeking gripping wartime storytelling with authentic Chinese cultural DNA, Wu Gong Dui Chuan Qi (Legend of the Special Task Force, 2013) stands as a landmark television achievement. Starring acclaimed actor Gu Zhixin and directed by Zhao Junkai, this 40-episode series masterfully balances explosive action with profound explorations of resistance and humanity during Japan’s WWII occupation.
- A Fresh Perspective on WWII Resistance
Set in 1942 Hebei Province, the drama follows Wang Liang (Gu Zhixin), leader of an elite Communist-led guerrilla unit tasked with sabotaging Japanese supply lines and rescuing POWs. Unlike Western WWII narratives focused on grand battles, this series spotlights China’s “mosquito warfare” tactics – small, agile strikes that psychologically dismantled occupying forces.
Key historical details enhance authenticity:
- Accurate depictions of Japanese chemical warfare experiments in North China
- Use of period-specific weapons like the Type 38 rifle and Mauser C96 pistol
- Guerrilla survival strategies, including tunnel networks and civilian disguise tactics
The series avoids simplistic heroism, showing how Wang’s team negotiates moral dilemmas, such as sacrificing informants to protect larger missions – a narrative depth comparable to Band of Brothers but rooted in Chinese collectivist philosophy.
- Gu Zhixin’s Career-Defining Performance
Best known for military roles like I Am a Special Soldier (2011), Gu delivers his most nuanced work here. His portrayal of Wang Liang evolves across three dimensions:
Physicality: Trained in martial arts, Gu performed 80% of his stunts, including a climactic bridge explosion scene filmed in -15°C weather .
Psychological Depth: Wang’s struggle with survivor guilt after losing his family is conveyed through subtle gestures – a trembling hand when handling his daughter’s hairpin, or prolonged silences before critical missions.
Leadership Complexity: Unlike stereotypical “tough commander” roles, Gu shows Wang’s vulnerability in balancing military objectives with compassion, particularly in Episode 19 when he disobeys orders to rescue a child hostage.
- Cultural Signifiers & Symbolism
The series serves as a visual archive of North Chinese rural life during the war:
- Folk Wisdom: Farmers use crop rotation patterns to send coded messages (Episode 7)
- Daoist Philosophy: The team’s “scatter like sand, gather like steel” tactic mirrors Tao Te Ching principles
- Operatic Motifs: Fight scenes choreographed to Peking opera percussion rhythms
A recurring symbol – the persimmon tree – represents resilience. In Episode 28, Wang plants saplings over fallen comrades’ graves, mirroring a real-world tradition in Hebei’s Zaoyang County.
- Technical Innovations in War Drama
Director Zhao Junkai revolutionized Chinese TV production with:
- Practical Effects: Over 120 controlled explosions using micro-pyrotechnics for close-up combat realism
- Mobile Cinematography: Handheld cameras mounted on motorcycles for chase sequences
- Color Grading: Sepia tones for flashbacks vs. desaturated hues for present-day scenes
The 8-minute ambush scene in Episode 33 required 14 days of shooting and later won the 2014 Huading Award for Best Action Choreography.
- Global Relevance & Viewing Guide
While rooted in Chinese history, the series explores universal themes:
- Ethics of Asymmetric Warfare: Parallels with the French Resistance and Vietnam’s Cu Chi guerrillas
- Civilian-Military Dynamics: Comparable to The Pianist’s portrayal of occupied Warsaw
- Post-Traumatic Growth: Wang’s arc mirrors Saving Private Ryan’s Captain Miller
Where to Watch: Available with English subtitles on WeTV International and Viki Rakuten . For optimal viewing:
- Watch Episodes 1-5 consecutively to grasp character relationships
- Note the evolving map animations showing territorial changes
- Follow the “Persimmon Count” – 47 fruits appear across episodes, each marking a key plot turn
Why International Audiences Should Care
-Wu Gong Dui Chuan Qi* dismantles stereotypes about Chinese WWII narratives being propagandistic. Through Gu Zhixin’s layered performance and Zhao Junkai’s meticulous direction, it offers:
- A tactical masterclass in guerrilla warfare
- Rare insights into rural Chinese communities’ wartime resilience
- Philosophical debates about sacrifice vs. survival
As streaming platforms globalize Chinese content, this 2013 drama remains essential viewing – not just as historical fiction, but as a bridge to understanding China’s complex relationship with its wartime past. Its blend of heart-pounding action and quiet humanity makes it a perfect entry point for fans of Peaky Blinders or Das Boot seeking fresh perspectives.