History is handled with care in Harbin

The period drama directed by Woo Min-ho is a handsome but reverent account of a Korean hero

- John Lui

HARBIN (NC16) 113 minutes, opens on Dec 25 ★★★★☆

The story: It is 1909 and the Korean Empire is under Japanese control. In this thriller based on a real assassination plot, Lieutenant General Ahn Jung-geun (Hyun Bin) and his band of Korean independence fighters plan to intercept Japanese statesman Ito Hirobumi (Japanese actor Lily Franky) in Harbin. After a battle where Ahn shows mercy to the enemy, his compatriots mistake his kindness for treason, making him a target of suspicion. Still, Ahn and his fighters vow to kill the Japanese official, despite opposition from fellow fighter Lee Chang-sup (Lee Dong-wook) and pursuit by the vengeful Japanese Major Mori Tatsuo (Park Hoon). A traitor in their midst helps the major lure the fighters into a trap.

For a film about one of history's most audacious attempts to fell an oppressor, Harbin plays it remarkably safe.