Synopsis of DONGJI RESCUE, Raising the Heroic Story of Fishermen in World War II

Kapanlagi.com - The epic Chinese film, DONGJI RESCUE, offers a dramatic story rarely revealed from World War II. This historical war action film is based on the sinking of the Lisbon Maru incident that occurred in 1942.

The story centers on the extraordinary bravery of Chinese fishermen amidst the brutality of the Japanese occupation. Directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, this film promises a viewing experience full of tension and emotion.

Curious about what the synopsis is? Just check out the following review to get a glimpse of the storyline.

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1. Synopsis of the Film DONGJI RESCUE

Film DONGJI RESCUE (credit: mydramalist)

The story of the film DONGJI RESCUE begins in October 1942 when a Japanese cargo ship named Lisbon Maru carries about 1,800 British prisoners of war (POW) from Hong Kong. The ship is torpedoed by an American submarine off the coast of Dongji Island, China, without the US knowing that there were prisoners on board.

As the ship begins to sink, Japanese soldiers brutally block the POWs in the cabin. However, local fishermen on Dongji Island, who have long been under the oppression of the Japanese garrison, decide to take action.

This fictional tale focuses on two heroic fisherman brothers, Ah Bi and Ah Dang, who discover a British soldier and embark on a dangerous rescue mission. The fishermen of Dongji ultimately succeed in rescuing more than 300 British soldiers from the deadly incident.

2. List of Players DONGJI RESCUE

The film DONGJI RESCUE (credit: mydramalist)

Here is the list of main players and their roles in the film DONGJI RESCUE:

• Zhu Yilong as Ah Bi (One of the brother fishermen)

• Wu Lei (Leo Wu) as Ah Dang (One of the brother fishermen)

• Ni Ni as Ah Hua

• Ni Dahong as Mr. Wu (Elder/village leader)

• Yang Haoyu as Li Yuanxing

• Chen Minghao as Mr. Chen (A teacher)

• William Franklyn-Miller (British soldier)

• Wang Yiquan as Ah Kui

• Kevin Lee as Lieutenant Colonel Stewart

3. Production Notes DONGJI RESCUE

Film DONGJI RESCUE (credit: mydramalist)

The film DONGJI RESCUE is an ambitious project that was worked on for six years, starting from the preparation stage in 2019. The film has a large production budget, reaching around 500 million Yuan or equivalent to $80 million USD. The production process involved creating large sets, including a full-size replica of a giant POW ship in Wuxi.

In addition, filming also took place at the historical site of the shipwreck, around Dongji Island and the Zhoushan Islands. The film also uses IMAX format, with half of the film shot underwater during 70 days of shooting in a 9,000 square meter water studio.

The production team even revived the nearly extinct traditional boat-making techniques of Zhoushan to reconstruct 24 authentic fishing boats from the 1940s.

4. Film Detail DONGJI RESCUE

Film DONGJI RESCUE (credit: mydramalist)

• Genre: Historical, War, Action, Thriller.

• Director: Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang.

• Screenplay Writers: Zhang Ji, Chen Shu, Dong Runnian.

• Duration (Running Time): 133 minutes or 2 hours 13 minutes.

• Audience Rating: In several film reviews, the mentioned rating is "15" or "MA" (Mature Audiences), indicating that this film contains content more suitable for adult viewers.

• Release Date: August 22, 2025 (Release in the US) and October 8, 2025 in Indonesia.

• Country of Origin & Language: China, in Mandarin.

5. FAQ Synopsis of Film DONGJI RESCUE

What is the basis of the story of the film DONGJI RESCUE?
This film is based on the true incident of the Lisbon Maru sinking in 1942, where Chinese fishermen rescued British prisoners of war.

Who is the director of the film DONGJI RESCUE?
This film is co-directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang.

What is the production budget of this film?
The budget for DONGJI RESCUE is estimated to be around $80 million USD.

Who are the main actors playing the brother fishermen?
The main actors are Zhu Yilong (as Ah Bi) and Wu Lei (as Ah Dang).

What is the duration of the film DONGJI RESCUE?
The duration of this film is 133 minutes or 2 hours 13 minutes.

Don't miss the touching heroic story in the film DONGJI RESCUE. Witness how courage and humanity transcend the conflicts of war, bringing you an intense cinematic experience on the open sea!

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(kpl/psp)