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| China Sets 2026 Release for “Crossing (Si Du)” as Long March Epic Returns to Big Screen. (Credits: Weibo) |
China’s film slate for 2026 is already lining up a heavyweight, and “Crossing (Si Du)” is front and centre with a confirmed nationwide release on 26 June. Timed neatly with the 90th anniversary of the Long March, the film doesn’t waste time revisiting one of modern China’s most talked-about military manoeuvres — the four crossings of the Chishui River — only this time, it’s getting the full cinematic treatment, complete with scale, stars, and a bit of modern storytelling polish.
Backed by major industry players including Bona Film Group, Emei Film Group, and August First Film Studio, the project signals a clear intent: this isn’t a quiet historical footnote, it’s a full-on retelling of a moment widely regarded as a tactical masterclass.
The film zeroes in on the Red Army’s repeated river crossings in 1935, a move that turned what looked like a losing situation into a strategic escape from encirclement by Nationalist forces. Not bad for an army operating at a serious numerical disadvantage.
Direction comes from Xu Zhanxiong, with a script by Liu Yi, and the casting leans heavily into familiar, reliable names. Liu Ye steps into the role of Mao Zedong, while Wang Lei takes on Zhou Enlai and Wang Zhifei portrays Zhu De.
Supporting names like Yu Shi and Wang Yaoqing round out a cast that clearly isn’t here to play small.
It’s a line-up that suggests the film is aiming for both gravitas and box office pull — a combination Chinese historical cinema tends to favour when it goes big.
Narratively, the story picks up after the Zunyi Conference, a turning point where leadership dynamics shifted and pressure from opposing forces intensified.
What follows is a series of calculated, almost audacious moves — four separate crossings of the Chishui River, each with shifting tactics.
Defensive retreats morph into sudden counter-attacks, leaving opponents scrambling to keep up. It’s the kind of strategy that, in hindsight, looks brilliant — at the time, probably felt like organised chaos.
Authenticity is clearly part of the brief. Filming took place across historically significant areas in Guizhou and Sichuan, including Gulin County, a location still closely tied to the original campaign.
These aren’t just scenic backdrops; they’re places where the actual events unfolded, which adds a layer of weight that no studio set can quite replicate.
Producers have also said the film will lean on modern technology and updated narrative techniques, suggesting this won’t be a dusty retelling but something designed to resonate with current audiences.
Online reaction, unsurprisingly, is split. Some viewers are already praising the casting, particularly Liu Ye’s return to a high-profile historical role, with comments suggesting he “fits the era like a glove”.
Others are cautiously optimistic about the promise of “modern storytelling”, which, depending on execution, could either refresh the genre or overcomplicate it.
There’s also the usual scepticism about whether large-scale historical films prioritise spectacle over substance — a debate that never really goes away.
Still, with its timing, subject matter, and production scale, “Crossing” is shaping up as one of the more closely watched releases of 2026.
Whether it lands as a gripping war epic or just another polished history lesson is something audiences will decide soon enough. Curious where you land on it — is this your kind of cinema, or are you waiting to see if the hype actually delivers?