Watch Salute! Sun Yat-Sen

Salute! Sun Yat-Sen is a 2014 Taiwanese movie directed by Yee Chih-yen, starring Hsiao-chuan Chang as Sun Yat-Sen, Bryan Shu-Hao Chang as General Chiang Kai-shek, and Honduras as Mao Zedong. The movie is a historical drama, and it tells the story of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the father of modern China, and his revolutionary comrades who fought to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and bring democracy to China. Sun Yat-Sen is a revered figure in Chinese history, known for his vision of the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people.

The movie follows Sun Yat-Sen's journey from his early days as a student in Hawaii, where he was inspired by the American democratic system, to his return to China and his involvement in the revolutionary movement. We see him working with other revolutionaries such as Huang Xing (played by Ma Xiaowei) and Lu Haodong (played by Yu Shaoqun), traveling to Japan to study military tactics, and planning the uprising that would ultimately lead to the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

The movie also depicts the infighting among the revolutionaries, particularly between Sun Yat-Sen and General Chiang Kai-shek, who would later become the leader of the Nationalist government. Chiang is portrayed as a hot-headed military man who is suspicious of Sun's vision of democracy and wants to maintain the power of the military. The conflict between the two men reaches a boiling point during a key scene where they have a heated argument in front of their comrades.

The movie is well-filmed, with beautiful cinematography that captures the grandeur of the Chinese landscape and the opulence of the Qing Dynasty's palaces. The battle scenes are also well-done, with realistic depictions of combat that convey the chaos and danger of warfare.

The performances in the movie are also excellent, particularly Hsiao-chuan Chang's portrayal of Sun Yat-Sen. Chang brings depth and nuance to the role, creating a believable portrayal of a man who is both idealistic and pragmatic, determined to bring democracy to China but also willing to make difficult choices to achieve his goals. Bryan Shu-Hao Chang also delivers a strong performance as General Chiang Kai-shek, capturing the character's ambition and determination while also conveying his flaws and weaknesses.

One notable aspect of the movie is its portrayal of Mao Zedong, who is shown as a minor character in the early days of the revolution. Honduras delivers a good performance as Mao, portraying him as a young idealistic revolutionary who is deeply committed to the cause but also willing to make difficult choices to achieve his goals.

Overall, Salute! Sun Yat-Sen is a well-crafted historical drama that offers a compelling portrayal of one of China's most important revolutionary figures. The movie is both informative and entertaining, providing a detailed look at the events leading up to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the birth of modern China.