Introduction

Eight Hundred Heroes (traditional Chinese: 八百壯士; simplified Chinese: 八百壮士; pinyin: Bābǎi zhuàngshì) is a 1976 Taiwanese historical war drama film directed by Ting Shan-hsi about the Defence of Sihang Warehouse in 1937 Shanghai, China.

Also known as Banza Attack of the Warlords (Australia, video title), The Longest Bridge (Canada and worldwide), and 800 Heroes (Philippines).

Refer to The Eight Hundred (2020) and 800 Heroes (1938).

Outline

A battalion of Chinese soldiers defend the Sihang (4 Bank) warehouse from the invading Japanese army in 1937 at the end of the Battle of Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War. There are only 452 defenders, but to mislead the Japanese they tell the outside world that they are 800 in number. Their heroism leads to them becoming known as the 800 Heroes.

Cast

• Ko Chun-hsiung as Lieutenant Colonel Xie Jinyuan
• Brigitte Lin as Yang Huimin
• Hsu Feng as Ling Weicheng, Xie’s wife
• Sylvia Chang as Li Cini, a girl guide
• Chin Han as Major Shangguan Zhibiao
• Carter Wong
• Chin Han
• Chan Hung-lit
• Peter Yang
• Sihung Lung

Release

The film was selected as the Taiwanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 49th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Shan-Hsi Ting
• Producer(s):
  • Alois Brummer … distribution producer (german dubbed version) (uncredited)
  • George F.H. Chang … executive producer / producer
  • Chang Ling Chei … executive producer
  • Chen-Fu Ku … supervising producer (as Chen-Fu Koo)
  • Chi Ming … associate producer
• Writer(s):
  • Shan-Hsi Ting
• Music:
  • Mou-Shan Huang
• Cinematography:
  • Wen-Chin Lin
• Editing:
  • Chin-Chen Wang
• Production:
  • Central Motion Pictures
  • Mei Chang Ling
• Distributor(s):
  • AB Filmverleih (West Germany, 1977)(theatrical)
  • Tuschinski Film Distribution (Netherlands, 1977)(theatrical)
  • Filmes Ocidente (Portugal, 1978)(theatrical)
  • Infinity Film and Video (Greece, 1985)(VHS)
  • Infinity Video (Greece, 1985)(VHS)
  • Central Motion Picture Corporation (Taiwan, 2005)(DVD)
  • Hoker Records (Taiwan, 2005)(DVD)
  • 21st Century Entertainment (United Kingdom)(VHS)
  • Delta Video (Australia, 1988)(video)
• Release Date: 10 July 1976 (Taiwan).
• Running time: 140 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Taiwan.
• Language: Mandarin, Japanese, and English.

Video Link(s)