This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II and the 88th anniversary of the Battle of Shanghai. To commemorate these significant events, the RAS History, Book, and Film clubs will host two events featuring "Eight Hundred Heroes" in October.

The Battle of Shanghai began in August 1937 following the clashes between the Chinese troops and the Imperial Japanese Army at the Marco Polo Bridge on July 7, 1937. Generalissimo Jiang Kai-Shek deployed some of his best-equipped units including the German-trained 88th division to open a new front in Shanghai against Japanese aggression. In October 1937, a battalion of approximately 420 Chinese soldiers, led by 32-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Xie Jinyuan, defended Sihang Warehouse against an overwhelming Japanese force. The men repulsed waves of Japanese attacks as thousands of spectators looked on from the relative safety of Shanghai's International Settlement. Western journalists observed the battles on the rooftops across Suzhou Creek and spread the story across the globe. Many historians consider the Battle of Shanghai to be the beginning of World War II.

The film "Eight Hundred Heroes" made in Taiwan in 1976 is a vivid portrayal of the later stages of the Battle of Shanghai. It is also the film that inspired author Stephen Robinson to write the book of the same title. In addition to recounting the combat, it accurately captures the frantic yet fervent citywide rescue operations. While centring on main characters such as Lieutenant-Colonel Xie Jinyuan and Girl Scout Yang Huiming, it also features historical figures such as the British High Command's Major-General Alexander Telfer-Smollett, Shanghai's Green Gang leader Du Yuesheng, and scenes of German officers siding with the Chinese.

Directed by Ting Shan-hsi and featuring two Taiwanese superstars, Ko Chun-Hsiung and Brigitte Lin, the film was selected as Taiwan's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film​ at the 49th Academy Awards. It has ever since become a classic in China's war cinema.

Film

Eight Hundred Heroes (Taiwan)

Written and Directed by

Ting Shan-hsi​ 丁善玺

Language

Chinese with English subtitles

Starring

Ko Chun-Hsiung​ 柯俊雄

Brigitte Lin Ching-Hsia ​林青霞

Xu Feng 徐枫

Qin Han 秦汉

Please note RAS Film Club no longer accommodates payment at door by Alipay and wechat. All tickets need to be purchased online via the registration link in the event announcement.