🎬 The Premise
Released in 1998, The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on
In the later stage of the Liberation War, with the victory of the three major battles over, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman Mao Zedong made strategic decisions, ordering Liu Bocheng (played by Fu Xuecheng) and Deng Xiaoping (played by Lu Qi) to lead a group of the Second Field and Fourth Field to advance towards Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, and Sichuan, and annihilate the remaining enemies in the southwest.
Under the direction of Yang Guangyuan, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
🎭 Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Gu Yue, Zhao Hengduo, Liu Huaizheng.
While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
🎥 Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest offers a
competent presentation. The cinematography
uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone.
While the 4K mastering highlights the production value, the pacing during its 148-minute runtime can feel deliberate.
🌍 Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest resonates with current
cultural themes in the Drama space.
It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
📺 Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of January 2026, The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest is available in theaters worldwide.
For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
📖 Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest centers on a unique premise within the Drama landscape.
In the later stage of the Liberation War, with the victory of the three major battles over, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman Mao Zedong made strategic decisions, ordering Liu Bocheng (played by Fu Xuecheng) and Deng Xiaoping (played by Lu Qi) to lead a group of the Second Field and Fourth Field to advance towards Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, and Sichuan, and annihilate the remaining enemies in the southwest. On his way south, Deng Xiaoping asked railway experts he met about the construction of the Chengdu Chongqing Railway and gave political education classes to the troops heading south in a timely manner, implementing Chairman Mao's great teachings of "carrying out the revolution to the end"...
The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1998 cinema will find fairly predictable.
💡 Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the
ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread.
Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
📝 Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for The Great Military March Forward: Engulf the Southwest (1998): with an audience rating of 5/10, the reception has been divisive.
It is a recommended for fans of Drama, War cinema who appreciate attention to detail.