DIRECTOR John Woo heads back east to helm the most expensive Chinese-language film in history, set during the rule of the Han Dynasty in 208 AD.

The scale of his historical epic is jaw-dropping, with battle sequences featuring a cast of thousands, although certain breathtaking sequences, like a naval stockade of 2,000 ships sailing up the Yangtze River, can only be accomplished with digital trickery.

The computer-generated visual effects don’t always pass muster, but when Woo’s camera is in the midst of the meticulously choreographed hand-to-hand combat, Red Cliff is truly a feast for the eyes.

A growling voiceover distils key historical facts over opulent opening scenes at the court of weak Emperor Han, who quakes in fear at the approach of Prime Minister, Cao Cao.

The scheming politician proposes that the Emperor’s vast army invades the land to the south and west, thereby unifying China.

Red Cliff is surprisingly easy to follow despite the constant distraction of subtitles amid all of the beautifully-orchestrated carnage, which includes a tortoise formation set-piece that gives each of the generals a chance to shine in blood-soaked slow motion.

You can almost feel the singeing heat of the fiery climax that takes the battle to the water.

RED CLIFF (Cert. 15, 147 mins)
Stars: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei, Hu Jun, Shidou Nakamura, Chiling Lin, You Yong, Ba Sen Zha Bu, Zang Jingsheng, Wang Ning
Directed by John Woo.