The Great Wall (2016) Movie Explained: A Visual Epic of Fantasy, Culture, and War”

Added On: 11 Jul 2025

"The Great Wall" (2016) is a visually stunning action-fantasy film directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou and stars Matt Damon in the lead role. This China-Hollywood collaboration explores a fictional story surrounding the iconic Great Wall of China — not just as a historic defense structure, but as the last line of defense against terrifying alien creatures.

With impressive visuals, a unique East-meets-West production model, and an ensemble cast, this film aimed to bridge cultural gaps while delivering epic action. In this detailed review and analysis, we will explore everything about "The Great Wall" — from its plot, characters, symbolism, controversies, and behind-the-scenes facts, to its impact on global cinema.

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1. Plot Summary of The Great Wall (Spoiler Alert)

The movie opens with two European mercenaries, William Garin (Matt Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), who are on a journey to China in search of the mysterious and powerful black powder (gunpowder). During their expedition, they are attacked by a monstrous creature and lose most of their companions.

Soon after, they are captured by the Nameless Order — a secret military organization that protects the Great Wall of China. The order is preparing for an attack by a horde of monstrous creatures called Tao Tei, which attack every 60 years. These creatures are fast, intelligent, and deadly.

William proves his skill in archery by helping the Nameless Order fight off an early wave of Tao Tei. As he gets to know the Chinese warriors, especially Commander Lin Mae (Jing Tian), he begins to understand their discipline, courage, and purpose.

The Tao Tei are not just monsters — they’re symbols of greed, and they adapt quickly. William, originally just a mercenary seeking wealth, starts questioning his motives and eventually fights alongside the Chinese warriors to protect humanity.

The final battle is a dramatic sequence involving fireworks, sacrifice, courage, and teamwork — as the Nameless Order, William, and Lin Mae attempt to destroy the queen Tao Tei and stop the invasion for good.

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2. The Cast and Characters

Let’s take a look at the key characters in “The Great Wall”:

• Matt Damon as William Garin
  A skilled European mercenary who transforms from a selfish warrior to a selfless hero. His archery skills and strategic mind help the Nameless Order.

• Pedro Pascal as Pero Tovar
  William’s friend and companion. More skeptical and greedy than William, but shows courage when it matters.

• Jing Tian as Commander Lin Mae
  A high-ranking warrior in the Nameless Order who believes in honor, duty, and sacrifice. She becomes a symbol of trust and strength.

• Willem Dafoe as Ballard
  An outsider who has been imprisoned by the Chinese for years. He sees an opportunity to escape and steal gunpowder.

• Andy Lau as Strategist Wang
  The brain behind the Nameless Order. He offers deep wisdom and scientific strategies to defeat the Tao Tei.

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3. The Visuals and Cinematography

Director Zhang Yimou, known for visually rich films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers, brings his signature style to “The Great Wall.” The movie is a feast for the eyes with:

• Vibrant battle formations: The Nameless Order is divided into color-coded divisions like the Crane Corps (blue), Tiger Corps (yellow), and Eagle Corps (red), each with its unique fighting style.

• Aerial combat: Especially the scenes where female warriors dive from the wall using harnesses and spears.

• CGI monsters: The Tao Tei were digitally created to look threatening and fast-moving. Their hive-mind behavior adds another layer of danger.

• Set Design: The Great Wall itself is both a battlefield and a character in the movie. The use of height, gates, traps, and catapults is visually spectacular.

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4. The Tao Tei – Symbolic Creatures

The Tao Tei are not just monsters; they are metaphors. According to the movie’s mythology, the Tao Tei were sent by the gods to punish humanity for its greed.

They reflect a societal warning — a representation of uncontrolled hunger for power and wealth. Their queen controls them telepathically, and their

hive-mind nature makes them more dangerous than any wild beast.

The idea of greed vs. sacrifice is central to the film. While William begins the movie searching for gunpowder (wealth), he ends it defending humanity, showing how courage can overcome selfish desires.

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5. East Meets West: A Cinematic Collaboration

One of the most talked-about aspects of "The Great Wall" is its attempt to unite Eastern and Western cinematic styles:

• Hollywood Action + Chinese Culture: The story is told through the lens of a Western character (William), but the soul of the film remains deeply Chinese — focusing on discipline, unity, and honor.

• Language: Although the main dialogue is in English, the film features many Chinese actors and cultural elements.

• Behind the Scenes: The film was a co-production between Legendary Pictures (USA) and China Film Group, one of the biggest attempts to tap into the Chinese film market.

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6. Controversies and Criticism

Despite its ambition, the movie faced significant criticism:

• White Savior Debate: Many critics accused the film of promoting the “white savior” trope — suggesting that a Western man had to save the Chinese from destruction.

• Cultural Authenticity: Some viewers felt that the film did not accurately represent Chinese history or culture.

• Weak Script: While visually stunning, critics said the story lacked depth and the characters were underdeveloped.

However, supporters argued that the movie was never meant to be historical or political — it was a fantasy action film, a "popcorn movie" with global appeal.

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7. Themes and Messages

“The Great Wall” is more than just action and monsters. It explores:

• Unity in Diversity: Different divisions of the Nameless Order come together to fight a common enemy.

• Redemption: William finds a higher purpose beyond greed.

• Sacrifice and Duty: The soldiers willingly give their lives to protect humanity.

• Science and Strategy: The use of magnetism, sound, and formation tactics shows the role of intellect in battle.

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8. Music and Sound Design

The film's score, composed by Ramin Djawadi (known for Game of Thrones), beautifully blends Western orchestral music with traditional Chinese instruments.

The music intensifies during the battle scenes and softens during emotional moments, enhancing the cinematic experience.

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9. Box Office and Reception

• Budget: Around $150 million

• Box Office: Over $334 million globally

While it underperformed in the U.S., the movie was a major success in China, proving the power of international collaboration.

Critics gave mixed reviews. Some praised the visuals and scale, while others criticized the plot and acting. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 35% critic score but a higher audience score, indicating that fans enjoyed it more than critics.

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10. Behind-the-Scenes Facts

• The movie took 100 days to shoot, with hundreds of crew members from both China and Hollywood.

• Zhang Yimou was very involved in costume design, making sure each color division looked distinct.

• The Tao Tei were inspired by ancient Chinese mythological creatures.

• Matt Damon underwent intense training for archery and stunt coordination.

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11. Cultural Impact

Despite criticism, “The Great Wall” helped:

• Promote cross-cultural dialogue in cinema.

• Open new doors for collaboration between Chinese and Hollywood studios.

• Introduce more global audiences to Chinese actors like Jing Tian and Andy Lau.

It also inspired debates on diversity, representation, and storytelling in the modern film industry.

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12. Final Thoughts and Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

"The Great Wall" is not a perfect movie, but it's an entertaining and visually rich fantasy epic. It offers:

✅ Stunning visuals
✅ Imaginative world-building
✅ Action-packed sequences
✅ Cultural collaboration

But also suffers from:

❌ A predictable story
❌ Weak character development
❌ Overuse of CGI at times

Still, for fans of action, fantasy, and unique cinematic experiments, “The Great Wall” is worth watching.

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Conclusion

In a world of superhero franchises and historical war films, “The Great Wall” stands out as a unique blend of East and West. It reminds us that collaboration across borders can create something bold and original — even if it sparks controversy.

Whether you watch it for Matt Damon’s performance, Zhang Yimou’s directing, or just for the action-packed fantasy battles, “The Great Wall” is a cinematic experience that deserves attention.

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