i first saw this dvd about three week ago nestle in the bargain bin in morrison supermarket . it be cheap t £2 . 99. though the packaging look anything but represent and the striking image on the front of the box interested me . two korean soldier . with different uniform and stood in front of the massive turbo prop of an american fighter . i do not buy it at the time but it register within my weary and troubled mind . the word dongmakgol stay with me and i remember to check it out on the internet movie database a brilliant resource for film fan . i take the plunge a fortnight later and add it to my collection . . i have now watch this movie twice in the space of four day . what can i say . well and it have a most marvellous musical score . which i think i would hear before . a time go by i realise it the same music use in spielberg save private ryan . which i think be shoot before dong but i be and not sure . we might have a chicken and egg situation here because the film be and in my opinion of equal merit . and i love ryan and it message with a similar evangelical zeal . if youre the type of person who do not mind subtitling and be prepare to invest a couple of hour and more into the cinematic experience then i would urge you to buy this little masterpiece . i say little but it isn not really . everything about this production say big time to me . i do not know how vibrant or productive the korean film industry be but if this example be anything to go by i need to find out more . set during the korean war it tell the tale of some disaffected troop from either side . the communist north and and the puppet army ( accord to the commie ) from the south who be be aid and abet by western force . it september 1950. by chance the straggler find themselves ensconce in a small village and both isolated and remote . it people be hitherto untouched by war and or indeed much of the outside world . some of the english use in the caption be quite comical and and there be several smile out loud moment if that make any sense . there be also violence and and graphic death by gunfire . all of which be essential to the telling of the story . the contrasting nature of the world in collision here . from peaceful serenity and unconditional humanity and to brute force and ignorance . the innocence and naivety of the villager be capture by the film female lead . a delightful teenager who waft in and out of scene with flower in her hair and wide eye with a simple outlook on life . she not quite the full shilling yet somehow have a soothing and calm effect on almost everyone she meet . her sweet and innocent face be a picture of all you would want to celebrate in this often worrying world . also take refuge in the village be the downed pilot of a un recconaisance aircraft . brilliant crash scene incidentally . gut wrenchingly terrify . the hostility between the group be tangible for a while and and an incident with a hand grenade result in the total destruction of the villager food store . the film constantly surprise the unwary . they all pledge to help the local replenish stock . a winter be fast approach . the six who form the warring faction form an uneasy alliance a the story move on . the simple life of the villager and and the life they lead soon start to lull the protagonist into believe they have be there for year . they be welcome to dongmakgol . smile abound and friendship be forge and the incomers weave their way into the tapestry of village life . especially after help overcome a quite terrifying wild boar . this sequence be stun and yet simplistic and i realise i be watch a master film maker open mouth in near wonderment . how i enjoy watch my wife view the same scene a day or two later . she too be captivate . the good time can not last of course and soon paratroops be invade the area ahead of a bombing raid which threaten to annihilate the village and everyone in it . sacrifice be call for and and the recent arrival be not find want in what amount to a fitting and poignant climax to a memorable movie . what now emerge be a band of brother newly unite in a common cause . this be the first korean film i have see and it perhaps will not be the last . i love almost every moment of it and have elevate it toward the near top of my league . yes . it really be that good .