The Opium War was a conflict between Great Britain and the Qing Dynasty of China. This Chinese film about the Opium War was released in 1997. The film is about Commissioner Lin Zexu and his battle against the East India Trading Company during the conflict that would become known as the Opium War, which led to the takeover of Hong Kong by the British Empire. The ceding of the Hong Kong to Great Britain was one of the most humiliating events in Chinese history. One scene in the film states, “Hong Kong is only a small and primitive island to the great Qing Dynasty”. However, that was not the case it was important to the Chinese. In 1839, Lin Zexu attempts to end the opium epidemic in Guangzhou. He confiscates twenty thousand crates of opium and destroys them in a public showing. Those actions led the British to declare war on the Qing Dynasty. Which marked the beginning of the century of humiliation in China. The film accurately depicts the historical relationship between the two countries and should be watched by all. …show more content…
The Chinese simple could not overcome Great Britain’s superior firepower. During one movie scene, where they are discussing a plan of action against the British. One Chinese noble states, “the foreigner’s ships are strong and they run fast like the wind.” Britain had far superior ship, cannons, and weapons than the Qing Dynasty. Obstacles the Chinese could not overcome that resulted in their defeat. However, the Chinese are depicted in the film as fighting brave and honorable even in