Watch The Opium War

The Opium War is a historical drama film that follows the events leading up to the First Opium War between China and Great Britain in the mid-19th century. The film tells the story of the intersecting lives of several key figures, including British Superintendent of Trade Charles Elliot (played by Winston Chao), Chinese Commissioner Lin Zexu (played by Zhang Hanyu), and British opium trader Jardine (played by Francis Ng).

The movie begins with the illegal opium trade that was conducted by British merchants in China during the early 1800s. The Chinese government tried to stop the trade by negotiating with the British government, but these efforts proved fruitless. Commissioner Lin Zexu, who was appointed by the Emperor of China to eradicate the opium trade, is sent to Canton, the trading hub of the southern coast of China, to implement the government's policy. Lin Zexu, who is depicted as a patriotic Chinese official, applies a series of measures to reduce the opium consumption in the Chinese population, such as arresting dealers, confiscating opium and destroying it by throwing it in the river.

However, these measures draw the ire of British merchants, who demand compensation for their confiscated goods. Among these merchants is Jardine, a ruthless businessman who is only concerned with profits. He approaches Charles Elliot, the newly appointed Superintendent of Trade, for help. Elliot, who is caught between a desire to maintain good relations with China and his loyalty to the British government and traders, decides to compromise with the merchants and allow them to continue trading opium.

As the opium trade flourishes once again, tensions between China and Britain escalate. The Chinese authorities are outraged by the British's continued smuggling of opium, which causes widespread addiction and social problems among the Chinese population. The British, on the other hand, see the Chinese actions as a violation of their trade rights and demand that they be compensated for their losses.

The movie then focuses on the naval battles that took place between China and Britain, which were dominated by the British navy's superior firepower and tactics. The Chinese ships, which were outdated and ill-equipped, were easily defeated by the British forces led by Admiral Sir Charles Elliot (played by Ian Richardson). The Chinese forces eventually suffered a humiliating defeat, which led to the Treaty of Nanking, which ended the First Opium War.

The Opium War portrays a complex and multi-faceted historical event in a cinematic way that is both informative and engaging. The film highlights the various perspectives and motivations of the key players involved in the conflict, from the patriotic Chinese officials to the selfish British traders. It also sheds light on the impacts of the opium trade on the Chinese population, which was ravaged by addiction, homelessness, and poverty.

Overall, The Opium War is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that offers a nuanced perspective on a significant historical event that continues to shape the relationship between China and the West. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in Chinese history, international relations, and the human costs of imperialistic pursuits.

The Opium War is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes.