About This Film
War films, particularly in the way the western audience has gotten used to them due to Hollywood productions for the most part, tend to focus on entertainment instead of reality, with few exceptions. “Beat Back“ however, is not one of those films, particularly since it becomes obvious that the cast, three years after the Korean War, probably had experiences from actual war. The story is based on the true story of Captain Kim Man-sol’s participation in the said events.
Synopsis
The movie begins with a war council of The Republic of Korea Army (ROK) where the operation staff officer suggests downsizing the existing force from company to platoon, since the extensive bombing of the Chinese Army to the area aims to deplete their power and wear them down. The suggestion is approved, leaving two military units behind, headed by Majors Kim Man-sol and Kim Moo-cheol, to defend Betty Hill. The men comprising the small force do their best, but many die, as the opposite force is much stronger. Meanwhile Lee Kang-no (Yoon Il-bong), a communications officer, reads a letter from his wife – missing her and his daughter. Encouraged by it, Lee risks his life to make successful communication between his military unit and the headquarters, asking for bombings of the area.
