The Story of The Founding of an Army
The Founding of an Army follows the pivotal early years of the People's Liberation Army during the 1920s, capturing the volatile period when the Chinese Communist Party was consolidating its military power. The film traces the formation and growth of what would become one of the world's largest standing armies—from its fragile beginnings to its emergence as a formidable force. Rather than a linear biography, the narrative weaves together the personal struggles, ideological conflicts, and strategic decisions of key figures who shaped this institution. The 1920s setting provides a window into a China torn between warlordism, foreign intervention, and revolutionary fervor, and the film doesn't shy away from showing how these forces collided to forge something entirely new.
Behind the Making of The Founding of an Army
The Founding of an Army arrived as an official state commission, produced by the China Film Group Corporation alongside a formidable roster of studios including August 1st Film Studio (the production arm of the People's Liberation Army itself), Media Asia Films, Bona Film Group, and Shanghai Film Group. Director Andrew Lau, known for his work on the Infernal Affairs trilogy, was tasked with bringing this monumental story to screen on a scale befitting its subject matter. The production assembled one of China's most recognizable ensemble casts—though the film's 4.5 IMDb rating from over 1,100 votes suggests audiences and critics weren't universally convinced by the execution. The film's 133-minute runtime reflects the ambition of the undertaking; there's a lot of ground to cover. Released on July 28, 2017, to coincide with the actual anniversary, the picture earned six awards and eleven nominations across Chinese film festivals and ceremonies, acknowledging its technical craftsmanship even if broader critical consensus proved elusive. What's striking is that despite the prestige of its production partners and the resources clearly lavished on the project, the film became something of a lightning rod for debates about state-sponsored cinema—does official backing enhance or constrain artistic vision?
What Makes The Founding of an Army Stand Out
Here's the thing about a film this politically significant: it's operating on multiple registers at once. The Founding of an Army functions as historical drama, propaganda tool, and artistic statement—and those roles don't always sit comfortably together. What you'll find is a film genuinely committed to depicting the chaos and moral ambiguity of the 1920s, with performances that ground the ideological stakes in human terms. The ensemble cast brings weight to scenes of debate and decision-making, even when the dialogue tilts toward the expository. There's a particular strength in how the film handles the tension between military pragmatism and revolutionary idealism—characters don't simply agree; they argue, compromise, and sometimes fail. That said, the reception suggests the film struggled to find a middle ground between intimate character drama and sweeping historical pageantry. Some critics found it didn't commit fully to either mode, leaving viewers caught between the personal and the propagandistic. Movie OTT tracks where historical epics like this one are currently streaming, making it easier to decide if you want to experience this particular vision of Chinese history.
Where to Stream The Founding of an Army Online
The Founding of an Army is available on major OTT services, though availability varies by region and subscription tier. Since streaming rights shift regularly, the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page will show you exactly which platforms currently carry the film in your area. If you're researching where Chinese historical dramas land in the streaming ecosystem, Movie OTT keeps a running catalog of such titles across Netflix, Prime Video, and other major platforms. The film's 133-minute length means you'll want to carve out dedicated viewing time—this isn't something to half-watch while scrolling. Check the widget to confirm availability before you settle in.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is The Founding of an Army based on a true story?
Yes. The film dramatizes the actual founding and early development of the People's Liberation Army during the 1920s, drawing on historical events and figures. While the narrative compresses and reimagines certain scenes for dramatic effect, the broad historical framework is grounded in real events.
Q: Who directed The Founding of an Army?
Andrew Lau directed the film. He's best known for co-directing the Infernal Affairs trilogy and bringing a stylish, character-driven approach to ensemble narratives—though this state-commissioned project operates under different constraints than his earlier work.
Q: Is The Founding of an Army part of a series?
Yes, it's the third installment of the Founding of New China trilogy, following The Founding of a Republic (2009) and The Founding of a Party (2011). You don't need to watch the earlier films to understand this one, but they form a larger historical narrative about modern China's formation.
Q: What's the runtime and what language is it in?
The film runs 133 minutes and is in Mandarin Chinese. Plan accordingly if you're watching with subtitles or dubbing options.
Q: Why is the IMDb rating so low?
The 4.5/10 rating reflects mixed critical and audience reception. Many viewers felt the film struggled to balance state propaganda with genuine dramatic storytelling, and some found the pacing uneven across its two-hour-plus length. It's a divisive film—historical significance doesn't always equal entertainment value.
Final Thoughts on The Founding of an Army
The Founding of an Army is worth watching if you're interested in how modern nations mythologize their origins through cinema. It won't satisfy everyone—the rating tells you that much—but it's a genuinely ambitious attempt to dramatize a pivotal moment in Chinese history with substantial resources and a committed ensemble. Whether you find it compelling or propagandistic likely depends on how you approach state-sponsored historical drama. It's a film that rewards patience and context, even if it doesn't always reward uncritical admiration.
