Red Cliff, the film by John Woo based on the epic battle of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is divided into two parts. While the first was engaging in its depictiRed Cliff, the film by John Woo based on the epic battle of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is divided into two parts. While the first was engaging in its depiction of such historical characters in Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, the second is all about the war itself. Summaries on next page.on of such historical characters in Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, the second is all about the war itself. Summaries on next page.

Part I – In the early third century, the land of Wu is invaded by the warlord Cao Cao and his million soldiers. The ruler of Wu, Sun Quan, calls on the rival warlord Liu Bei for help, but their two armies are still badly outnumbered. However, the Wu strategist Zhou Yu sees that Cao Cao’s army is unused to battling on the sea, which may just give them a chance if they can exploit this weakness properly.

Part II – Power-hungry Prime Minister Cao Cao was set to attack the Shu-Wu Coalition camped out at the port of Red Cliff. Cao Cao is confident and rightly so; his numbers are superior, and his initial move – sending diseased corpses to Red Cliff – reduces morale and thins his enemy’s ranks. Fearing the end for his people, Shu General Liu Bei retreats, taking with him trusted lieutenants. That leaves Wu leader Sun Quan and his people manning Red Cliff, with the only Shu holdover being strategist Zhuge Liang, who refuses to leave things undone.