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Red Cliff

 Red Cliff
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TVTItem
 Red Cliff
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Red Cliff
 Red Cliff
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RedCliff
 Red Cliff
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Red Cliff (original title 赤壁, Chi Bi) is a film directed by John Woo and inspired by a famous battle in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, based on the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China. The first part was released in 2008 and its second part in 2009; in some countries, only a condensed version was released. It stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Hu Jun, Lin Chiling and Zhao Wei.In 208 CE, the centuries-old Han Dynasty is crumbling. To the South, warlords Sun Quan and Liu Bei have set up the independent kingdoms of Wu and Shu, respectively, while the scheming Prime Minister Cao Cao obtains from the young, naive Emperor leadership of a huge army to be sent to crush Sun and Liu's "rebellions". Cao Cao's Wei forces swiftly advance into the Kingdom of Shu and face Liu Bei's army at the Battle of Changban, where Liu's sworn brothers Zhang Fei and Guan Yu (who will later be deified as the Chinese God of War) successfully hold back the attackers, giving civilians enough time to evacuate. However, despite Zhao Yun's bravery, Liu's wife is killed by Wei soldiers, and only his infant son can be saved.After the battle, Liu's master strategist Zhuge Liang is sent to the Kingdom of Wu to talk Sun Quan into an alliance against the Wei threat. Zhuge, who finds in Sun's general Zhou Yu a kindred spirit, convinces Sun to fight rather than surrender. The decision is taken to face Cao's army at the strategic stronghold of Red Cliff. During a first skirmish, Sun Quan's sister Sun Shangxiang's all-women cavalry force lures Cao's vanguard into a trap, and with the clever use of the Eight Trigrams Formation, Wu and Shu's forces defeats the enemy.Cao's forces set up camp on the opposite riverbank to Red Cliff, and begins to plan for a large-scale naval attack. However, Shangxiang infiltrates the camp and provides Sun and Liu with valuable reconnaisance. An outbreak of typhoid fever weakens Wei forces, but Cao cunningly sends contaminated corpses to Red Cliff, resulting in Wu and Shu soldiers strickened with the deadly infection. Disheartened by the epidemic, Liu Bei pulls out of the alliance, although Zhuge stays behind out of personal loyalty to Zhou Yu. In order to remedy Wu's lack of arrows, Zhuge sends straw boats within range of Wei forces, and the latter unleash thousands of arrows into the boats.Shangxiang returns from Cao's camp with a map of his army's formation. In order to buy time for a southeastern wind to be used as a fire attack in Wu's preemptive, Zhou's wife Xiao Qiao personally goes to Cao, knowing he has long since been infatuated with her, with the intent to distract him while Wu attacks. As the wind turns in the middle of the night, Wu send fireships to destroy Cao's navy, while Liu Bei, who had only faked defection, strikes Cao's camp from land. With the Battle of Red Cliff finished, Cao finds himself defeated and retreats to the North.Not to be confused with Redwall.
 Red Cliff
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2023-04-19T13:14:52Z
 Red Cliff
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2023-04-19T13:14:52Z
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Dropped link to AnAesop: Not a Feature - IGNORE
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 Red Cliff
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DBTropes
 Red Cliff / int_122e956a
type
One Bullet Left
 Red Cliff / int_122e956a
comment
One Bullet Left: Invoked when Zhou Yu deliberately leaves Sun Quan with just one arrow on a hunting trip.
 Red Cliff / int_122e956a
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_122e956a
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_122e956a
 Red Cliff / int_13992073
type
Rasputinian Death
 Red Cliff / int_13992073
comment
Rasputinian Death: It takes a lot to kill those guys, especially if they're generals.
 Red Cliff / int_13992073
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_13992073
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Red Cliff / int_13992073
 Red Cliff / int_1439161f
type
Heroic BSoD
 Red Cliff / int_1439161f
comment
Heroic BSoD: Sun Shangxiang when her friend in the Wei Army is killed before her eyes. She doesn't move until after the battle is over.
 Red Cliff / int_1439161f
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Red Cliff / int_1439161f
 Red Cliff / int_147996f2
type
Love Ruins the Realm
 Red Cliff / int_147996f2
comment
Love Ruins the Realm: Cao Cao allows himself to be caught flat-footed by the alliance attack because he was engrossed by Xiao Qiao making tea.
 Red Cliff / int_147996f2
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 Red Cliff / int_147996f2
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Red Cliff / int_147996f2
 Red Cliff / int_153299b4
type
Boisterous Bruiser
 Red Cliff / int_153299b4
comment
Boisterous Bruiser: Zhang Fei, naturally. The man's known for his war cries.
 Red Cliff / int_153299b4
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Red Cliff / int_153299b4
 Red Cliff / int_17501df2
type
Cool Old Guy
 Red Cliff / int_17501df2
comment
Cool Old Guy: Huang Gai and Guan Yu
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Red Cliff / int_17501df2
 Red Cliff / int_19d06ef7
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A Father to His Men
 Red Cliff / int_19d06ef7
comment
A Father to His Men: Liu Bei makes straw footwear for his soldiers by hand. Gan Xing too, till his final moments
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Red Cliff / int_19d06ef7
 Red Cliff / int_19e9b150
type
Diegetic Soundtrack Usage
 Red Cliff / int_19e9b150
comment
Diegetic Soundtrack Usage: When Wu army drills led by Zhou Yu are interrupted by a peasant boy with a flute.
 Red Cliff / int_19e9b150
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Red Cliff / int_19e9b150
 Red Cliff / int_1c4adce1
type
The Siege
 Red Cliff / int_1c4adce1
comment
The Siege: Cao Cao's forces lay siege to Red Cliff.
 Red Cliff / int_1c4adce1
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Red Cliff / int_1c4adce1
 Red Cliff / int_1edfa2c7
type
Royals Who Actually Do Something
 Red Cliff / int_1edfa2c7
comment
Royals Who Actually Do Something: Both Liu Bei and Sun Quan lead their respective forces to battle. Then there's Shangxiang.
 Red Cliff / int_1edfa2c7
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_1edfa2c7
 Red Cliff / int_1f19f198
type
Back-to-Back Badasses
 Red Cliff / int_1f19f198
comment
Back-to-Back Badasses: Zhou Yu and Zhao Yun
 Red Cliff / int_1f19f198
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_1f19f198
 Red Cliff / int_25b5600
type
Captain Ersatz
 Red Cliff / int_25b5600
comment
Captain Ersatz: Gan Xing is based on the historical Gan Ning, right down to being a former pirate. Done because Gan Xing dies in a Heroic Sacrifice, while Gan Ning historically survived the battle. There's also Xiahou Jun, presumably a stand-in for Xiahou Yuan or Xiahou Dun.
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Red Cliff / int_25b5600
 Red Cliff / int_262861e1
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Blade on a Stick
 Red Cliff / int_262861e1
comment
Blade on a Stick: Examples abound throughout the film, with the most notable being the guan dao wielded by Guan Yu (the weapon's namesake).
 Red Cliff / int_262861e1
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Red Cliff / int_262861e1
 Red Cliff / int_26bccc6e
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Ash Face
 Red Cliff / int_26bccc6e
comment
Ash Face: What causes Gan Xing to finally decide the fire bombs are big enough is when one of them leaves his face covered in soot.
 Red Cliff / int_26bccc6e
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_26bccc6e
 Red Cliff / int_26eb6287
type
Funny Background Event
 Red Cliff / int_26eb6287
comment
Funny Background Event: When Zhou Yu interrupts Zhang Fei's calligraphy practice, Zhuge Liang can be seen covering his ears just before the yelling starts.
 Red Cliff / int_26eb6287
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_26eb6287
 Red Cliff / int_2a4e8051
type
Sexual Karma
 Red Cliff / int_2a4e8051
comment
Sexual Karma: Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao get it on like it's their last time] (even though [[ForegoneConclusion it really isn't) in an Idealized Sex scene with romantic music; Meanwhile Cao Cao has a stand-in of his Lust Object Xiao Qiao and has frequent headaches.
 Red Cliff / int_2a4e8051
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Red Cliff / int_2a4e8051
 Red Cliff / int_2b1b84a6
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Angry Eyebrows
 Red Cliff / int_2b1b84a6
comment
Angry Eyebrows: Gan Xing's give him a perpetual scowl similar to Japanese woodblock prints of ancient samurai (appropriate since his actor is Japanese).
 Red Cliff / int_2b1b84a6
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Red Cliff / int_2b1b84a6
 Red Cliff / int_2b706ca
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More Dakka
 Red Cliff / int_2b706ca
comment
More Dakka: An amusing scene where the Gan Xing keeps asking to make the firebombs larger and larger. "GAN XING WANT BIG BOOM!"
 Red Cliff / int_2b706ca
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Red Cliff / int_2b706ca
 Red Cliff / int_2fdfbdaf
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Close-Call Haircut
 Red Cliff / int_2fdfbdaf
comment
Close-Call Haircut: Achieved by an arrow through the topknot.
 Red Cliff / int_2fdfbdaf
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 Red Cliff / int_2fdfbdaf
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Red Cliff / int_2fdfbdaf
 Red Cliff / int_33d5b7f2
type
Adapted Out
 Red Cliff / int_33d5b7f2
comment
Adapted Out: Sun Ce is a Posthumous Character in this version, but for some reason his wife Da Qiao is completely forgotten despite her sister Xiao Qiao having such prominent focus.
 Red Cliff / int_33d5b7f2
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Red Cliff / int_33d5b7f2
 Red Cliff / int_3441859b
type
Rank Scales with Asskicking
 Red Cliff / int_3441859b
comment
Rank Scales with Asskicking: As with any Romance of the Three Kingdoms based work, the generals get to kick far more ass than any of their soldiers.
 Red Cliff / int_3441859b
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 Red Cliff / int_3441859b
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Red Cliff / int_3441859b
 Red Cliff / int_36ae9f5d
type
Traumatic Haircut
 Red Cliff / int_36ae9f5d
comment
Traumatic Haircut: The moment when everyone on both sides knows that Cao Cao is beaten is when an arrow cuts off his queue.
 Red Cliff / int_36ae9f5d
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_36ae9f5d
 Red Cliff / int_36e63b81
type
Rule of Cool
 Red Cliff / int_36e63b81
comment
Rule of Cool: Each and every battle sequence. Gold-plated shields, people catching a spear in mid-air and throwing it at somebody else before landing, generals running around on top of shields...
 Red Cliff / int_36e63b81
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Red Cliff / int_36e63b81
 Red Cliff / int_37b5c1b0
type
Big Badass Battle Sequence
 Red Cliff / int_37b5c1b0
comment
Big Badass Battle Sequence: Three in total: The opening where Liu Bei's army is on the retreat. The climax of Part One, where the allies ambush Cao Cao's cavalry using the tortoise formation. The climax of Part Two, perhaps one of the purest examples of this trope ever, running over half an hour of unbroken screen time in which the allies launch their full-blown assault on Cao Cao's camp, complete with catapults, hails of arrows, exploding fire ships, bombs, cavalry charges, and much more.
 Red Cliff / int_37b5c1b0
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Red Cliff / int_37b5c1b0
 Red Cliff / int_392372f9
type
Actor Allusion
 Red Cliff / int_392372f9
comment
Actor Allusion: Sun Shangxiang dressing as a guy while watching a ball game... with martial arts... Zhao Wei would again dress as a man while playing the titular character Hua Mulan. There's a possible jab at Lin Chiling's career in modelling, when Zhou Yu drinks her tea and praises it to her face, like he was in a commercial. Speaking of whom, Zhou Yu interrupts Zhang Fei's calligraphy practice in order to analyse his handwriting. This was actually a plot point when Tony Leung Chiu-wai starred in Hero (2002).
 Red Cliff / int_392372f9
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_392372f9
 Red Cliff / int_3d5547b0
type
Perfect Poison
 Red Cliff / int_3d5547b0
comment
Perfect Poison: Cao Cao gives a drink to Jiang Gan, who had recently failed him, and the man is dead in under a minute.
 Red Cliff / int_3d5547b0
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_3d5547b0
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Red Cliff / int_3d5547b0
 Red Cliff / int_40cc0c7e
type
Bittersweet Ending
 Red Cliff / int_40cc0c7e
comment
Bittersweet Ending: Cao Cao is defeated, but at great cost to both sides. It's worse for those who know what happened next between the Shu and Wu alliance.
 Red Cliff / int_40cc0c7e
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_40cc0c7e
 Red Cliff / int_4276401c
type
Shoot the Messenger
 Red Cliff / int_4276401c
comment
Shoot the Messenger: Cao Cao orders the execution of a Wu emissary who brings him news that Sun Quan won't surrender.
 Red Cliff / int_4276401c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Red Cliff / int_4276401c
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Red Cliff / int_4276401c
 Red Cliff / int_43b154c9
type
Not Even Bothering with the Accent
 Red Cliff / int_43b154c9
comment
Not Even Bothering with the Accent: Chang Chen as Sun Quan; his Taiwanese accent is so thick you could cut it with a knife. (The Southlands are home the Hokkien people whose dialect is spoken by a not insignificant portion of Taiwanese, so it may not be historically inaccurate.) Nevermind that Mandarin did not exist at the time. Moreover, the South had its own spoken dialect, and would rarely use official court-dialect of the Han Dynasty. Shidō Nakamura as Gan Xing also has some noticeably Japanese touches to his Mandarin.
 Red Cliff / int_43b154c9
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1.0
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Red Cliff / int_43b154c9
 Red Cliff / int_43f2f606
type
Annoying Arrows
 Red Cliff / int_43f2f606
comment
Annoying Arrows: Most of the major characters shrug off up to half a dozen arrows. However, averted with the infantry. And Gan Xing, who knows he's pretty much dead, thus goes for the Suicide Attack.
 Red Cliff / int_43f2f606
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 Red Cliff / int_43f2f606
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Red Cliff / int_43f2f606
 Red Cliff / int_44fc28e8
type
Honor Before Reason
 Red Cliff / int_44fc28e8
comment
Honor Before Reason: Why Guan Yu didn't kill Cao Cao when he had the chance.
 Red Cliff / int_44fc28e8
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_44fc28e8
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Red Cliff / int_44fc28e8
 Red Cliff / int_474e3977
type
You Have Failed Me
 Red Cliff / int_474e3977
comment
You Have Failed Me: Cao Cao executes his admirals for falling for Zhuge Liang's aforementioned ruse. To be fair, it's also because he'd been given false information about their being on the other side's payroll. He then executes Jiang Gan, the guy who brought him said false information.
 Red Cliff / int_474e3977
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 Red Cliff / int_474e3977
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Red Cliff / int_474e3977
 Red Cliff / int_49bbfaee
type
Everything's Better with Rainbows
 Red Cliff / int_49bbfaee
comment
Everything's Better with Rainbows: A rainbow appears over the mountains as Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu part.
 Red Cliff / int_49bbfaee
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 Red Cliff / int_49bbfaee
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Red Cliff / int_49bbfaee
 Red Cliff / int_49d59be9
type
Scenery Porn
 Red Cliff / int_49d59be9
comment
Scenery Porn: The Southlands are described as "paradise on Earth", and the movie makes sure you know it. The drill scene is particularly prevalent. Geographically, the South was full of fertile, lush river valleys, while the flatlands of the North were too cold and dry to sustain agriculture.
 Red Cliff / int_49d59be9
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Red Cliff / int_49d59be9
 Red Cliff / int_4e0f7320
type
Misfit Mobilization Moment
 Red Cliff / int_4e0f7320
comment
Misfit Mobilization Moment: And how!
 Red Cliff / int_4e0f7320
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 Red Cliff / int_4e0f7320
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Red Cliff / int_4e0f7320
 Red Cliff / int_5029c444
type
Audible Sharpness
 Red Cliff / int_5029c444
comment
Audible Sharpness: Zhou Yu's sword.
 Red Cliff / int_5029c444
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 Red Cliff / int_5029c444
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Red Cliff / int_5029c444
 Red Cliff / int_57918465
type
Seven Minute Lull
 Red Cliff / int_57918465
comment
Seven Minute Lull: In the spectator stands at a ball game, which leads to everyone hearing the carrier pigeon hidden on Sun Shangxiang's person.
 Red Cliff / int_57918465
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 Red Cliff / int_57918465
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Red Cliff / int_57918465
 Red Cliff / int_5869bd44
type
Arrows on Fire
 Red Cliff / int_5869bd44
comment
Arrows on Fire: Used during the climatic battle to set off explosives, or just take down unfortunate mooks.
 Red Cliff / int_5869bd44
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 Red Cliff / int_5869bd44
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Red Cliff / int_5869bd44
 Red Cliff / int_5a100b90
type
Puppet King
 Red Cliff / int_5a100b90
comment
Puppet King: The Emperor gets precisely one scene, in which he is verbally bullied by Cao Cao to "order" him to launch his war against the southern kingdoms in front of the entire court. Part of Liu Bei's argument as to why he and Sun Quan must unite to stop Cao Cao is that if he consolidates his hold on the south, he'll stop bothering with the pretense that he's just an Imperial Minister and claim the throne for himself.note Something the historic Cao Cao never did, though Cao Cao's son Cao Pi did do that shortly after his father's death
 Red Cliff / int_5a100b90
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Red Cliff / int_5a100b90
 Red Cliff / int_5a40d6a
type
Adaptation Distillation
 Red Cliff / int_5a40d6a
comment
Adaptation Distillation: The film combines some of the elements from Records of the Three Kingdoms and the historical fiction Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
 Red Cliff / int_5a40d6a
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Red Cliff / int_5a40d6a
 Red Cliff / int_5e7163c9
type
Alternative Character Interpretation
 Red Cliff / int_5e7163c9
comment
Alternative Character Interpretation: Cao Cao is just showing how charismatic he is to manipulate his soldiers into fighting for him. It's actually more likely an accurate interpretation considering it's Cao Cao.
 Red Cliff / int_5e7163c9
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Red Cliff / int_5e7163c9
 Red Cliff / int_5f49ac76
type
Single-Target Sexuality
 Red Cliff / int_5f49ac76
comment
It is also debatable whether he is an ephebophile or he suffers from Single-Target Sexuality. Insofar as the movie is concerned, he is only interested in women that at least resemble of Xiao Qiao. He certainly does not lose interest in her when she becomes an adult. This is a plot point.
 Red Cliff / int_5f49ac76
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Red Cliff / int_5f49ac76
 Red Cliff / int_605cf3f
type
Something Only They Would Say
 Red Cliff / int_605cf3f
comment
Something Only They Would Say: Invoked. Zhou Yu's fake letters even mimic the Wei generals' writing errors.
 Red Cliff / int_605cf3f
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Red Cliff / int_605cf3f
 Red Cliff / int_60b166be
type
Reformed Criminal
 Red Cliff / int_60b166be
comment
Reformed Criminal: Gan Xing and his men are former pirates.
 Red Cliff / int_60b166be
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Red Cliff / int_60b166be
 Red Cliff / int_627f7c90
type
Genghis Gambit
 Red Cliff / int_627f7c90
comment
Genghis Gambit: The alliance between the Shu and Wu is very much the result of them facing a common threat.
 Red Cliff / int_627f7c90
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Red Cliff / int_627f7c90
 Red Cliff / int_6377d6e6
type
Grievous Harm with a Body
 Red Cliff / int_6377d6e6
comment
Grievous Harm with a Body: Zhang Fei throws an enemy into a group of others.
 Red Cliff / int_6377d6e6
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 Red Cliff / int_6377d6e6
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Red Cliff / int_6377d6e6
 Red Cliff / int_638b65bc
type
Armor Is Useless
 Red Cliff / int_638b65bc
comment
Armor Is Useless: Arrows almost always punch straight through any armor they hit.
 Red Cliff / int_638b65bc
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 Red Cliff / int_638b65bc
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Red Cliff / int_638b65bc
 Red Cliff / int_6439de78
type
Heroic Sacrifice
 Red Cliff / int_6439de78
comment
Gan Xing is based on the historical Gan Ning, right down to being a former pirate. Done because Gan Xing dies in a Heroic Sacrifice, while Gan Ning historically survived the battle.
 Red Cliff / int_6439de78
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 Red Cliff / int_6439de78
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Red Cliff / int_6439de78
 Red Cliff / int_653bb6cf
type
Last-Minute Reprieve
 Red Cliff / int_653bb6cf
comment
Last-Minute Reprieve: Zhao Yu and Zhuge Liang both literally bet their heads that their schemes (To eliminate Cao Cao's admirals and to steal 100,000 arrows from Cao Cao, respectively) will succeed. Both of them get notification of their success moments before they are about to be executed for their failure.
 Red Cliff / int_653bb6cf
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 Red Cliff / int_653bb6cf
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Red Cliff / int_653bb6cf
 Red Cliff / int_653c5c73
type
Cannot Spit It Out
 Red Cliff / int_653c5c73
comment
Cannot Spit It Out: Xiao Qiao can't bring herself to tell Zhou Yu that she's pregnant until she pretends to defect to Cao Cao, however she all but spells it out for him before that. Actually, she spells it out much earlier, when he asks her why she keeps writing the same Chinese characters for "good" (好) over and over again, and she puts his head to her stomach, asking if he can hear anything. Zhou Yu was apparently holding the Idiot Ball at the time. He seems like less of an idiot in the full version. They had been trying to name a foal that Zhuge Liang helped birth recently.
 Red Cliff / int_653c5c73
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 Red Cliff / int_653c5c73
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Red Cliff / int_653c5c73
 Red Cliff / int_66408f6
type
Tea Is Classy
 Red Cliff / int_66408f6
comment
Tea Is Classy: Xiao Qiao is renowned for her tea-making skills, and on the eve of the final battle distracts Cao Cao from his planned attack until the wind changes and her husband can launch his with a discussion of tea.
 Red Cliff / int_66408f6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Red Cliff / int_66408f6
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Red Cliff / int_66408f6
 Red Cliff / int_6a3bedce
type
Modesty Bedsheet
 Red Cliff / int_6a3bedce
comment
Modesty Bedsheet: After they make love, Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao are seen cuddling naked save for a bed sheet strategically covering their waists, and Xiao Qiao keeps her breasts hidden via a Toplessness from the Back shot since she's laying on her stomach.
 Red Cliff / int_6a3bedce
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 Red Cliff / int_6a3bedce
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Red Cliff / int_6a3bedce
 Red Cliff / int_6d2afccf
type
Audible Gleam
 Red Cliff / int_6d2afccf
comment
Audible Gleam: The golden shields reflecting sunlight to blind the soldiers and confuse their horses.
 Red Cliff / int_6d2afccf
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_6d2afccf
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Red Cliff / int_6d2afccf
 Red Cliff / int_7012424f
type
Stealth Hi/Bye
 Red Cliff / int_7012424f
comment
Stealth Hi/Bye: Zhou Yu does this at one point to head into battle.
 Red Cliff / int_7012424f
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_7012424f
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Red Cliff / int_7012424f
 Red Cliff / int_7040b6bc
type
Understatement
 Red Cliff / int_7040b6bc
comment
Understatement: When Zhou Yu asks Zhuge Liang whether he knows strategy, the latter replies "A little".
 Red Cliff / int_7040b6bc
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_7040b6bc
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Red Cliff / int_7040b6bc
 Red Cliff / int_7286e96d
type
Idiot Ball
 Red Cliff / int_7286e96d
comment
Actually, she spells it out much earlier, when he asks her why she keeps writing the same Chinese characters for "good" (好) over and over again, and she puts his head to her stomach, asking if he can hear anything. Zhou Yu was apparently holding the Idiot Ball at the time. He seems like less of an idiot in the full version. They had been trying to name a foal that Zhuge Liang helped birth recently.
 Red Cliff / int_7286e96d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Red Cliff / int_7286e96d
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Red Cliff / int_7286e96d
 Red Cliff / int_73641290
type
The Strategist
 Red Cliff / int_73641290
comment
The Strategist: Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang.
 Red Cliff / int_73641290
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_73641290
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Red Cliff / int_73641290
 Red Cliff / int_736d791f
type
Adaptational Badass
 Red Cliff / int_736d791f
comment
Adaptational Badass: Xiao Qiao. No, really. From a side character most people with passing knowlege of Three Kingdoms have never heard of, to someone who walks right into enemy territory and calmly has tea with the Magnificent Bastard, it's safe to say John Woo has done for Xiao Qiao what Michael Bay did for Bumblebee. It's not hard to see how rumors that she would get a fight scene as well would come about.
 Red Cliff / int_736d791f
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 Red Cliff / int_736d791f
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Red Cliff / int_736d791f
 Red Cliff / int_73733868
type
Awesomeness by Analysis
 Red Cliff / int_73733868
comment
Similarly, in the first part, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang play zithers together instead of discussing the potential alliance. They apparently gain an understanding of each other by how the other plays, and thus secure the alliance without actually talking about it at all.
 Red Cliff / int_73733868
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 Red Cliff / int_73733868
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Red Cliff / int_73733868
 Red Cliff / int_7efd2e30
type
Expository Hairstyle Change
 Red Cliff / int_7efd2e30
comment
Expository Hairstyle Change: At the end of the big battle, an arrow undoes Cao Cao's topknot, and his hair comes undone. It symbolizes his defeat (while paradoxically making him look more badass) Long, unfastened hair on men would only be considered badass to Western audiences. To the Chinese, only the mad, the homeless, and/or the poorest of the poor would wear their hair that way — emphasizing Cao Cao's defeat.
 Red Cliff / int_7efd2e30
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_7efd2e30
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Red Cliff / int_7efd2e30
 Red Cliff / int_827e747
type
Finger Poke of Doom
 Red Cliff / int_827e747
comment
Finger Poke of Doom: Shangxiang brings down Lu Su's horse with just her thumb. And then she does the same thing to Liu Bei. The Oh, Crap! looks on Zhuge Liang and Lu Su's faces when they realize what she's up to are priceless.
 Red Cliff / int_827e747
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_827e747
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Red Cliff / int_827e747
 Red Cliff / int_831164fe
type
Signature Style
 Red Cliff / int_831164fe
comment
Signature Style: If there's one director in the whole world who could somehow insert a Mexican Standoff in a period movie, it's John Woo. You've got Cao Cao and Zhou Yu with swords at each other's throats, Cao Hong with a sword to Zhou's back, then Sun Quan with a bow and arrow aimed at Cao, and just to add flavor, Xiahou Jun holds Xiao Qiao hostage. John Woo's favourite avians make an appearance yet again, and this time, they're even plot-important!
 Red Cliff / int_831164fe
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 Red Cliff / int_831164fe
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Red Cliff / int_831164fe
 Red Cliff / int_83ede4e3
type
Automatic Crossbows
 Red Cliff / int_83ede4e3
comment
Automatic Crossbows: Historically Zhuge Liang invented them. China used them in battle up until the mid 1800's.
 Red Cliff / int_83ede4e3
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_83ede4e3
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Red Cliff / int_83ede4e3
 Red Cliff / int_83f0971b
type
Mexican Standoff
 Red Cliff / int_83f0971b
comment
If there's one director in the whole world who could somehow insert a Mexican Standoff in a period movie, it's John Woo. You've got Cao Cao and Zhou Yu with swords at each other's throats, Cao Hong with a sword to Zhou's back, then Sun Quan with a bow and arrow aimed at Cao, and just to add flavor, Xiahou Jun holds Xiao Qiao hostage.
 Red Cliff / int_83f0971b
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 Red Cliff / int_83f0971b
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Red Cliff / int_83f0971b
 Red Cliff / int_84fa1d7d
type
Disposable Woman
 Red Cliff / int_84fa1d7d
comment
Disposable Woman: Liu Bei's wives in the beginning.
 Red Cliff / int_84fa1d7d
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 Red Cliff / int_84fa1d7d
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Red Cliff / int_84fa1d7d
 Red Cliff / int_86bb7d97
type
Cultured Badass
 Red Cliff / int_86bb7d97
comment
Cultured Badass: Guan Yu combines this with Friend to All Children as he spends his offtime as a schoolteacher. Whereas Zhang Fei has yet to master calligraphy. Zhou Yu, too. The northerners know him more for being a great musician, and their southern allies have to warn him that he has been their deadliest foe for years.
 Red Cliff / int_86bb7d97
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 Red Cliff / int_86bb7d97
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Red Cliff / int_86bb7d97
 Red Cliff / int_87c62ade
type
Deadly Dodging
 Red Cliff / int_87c62ade
comment
Deadly Dodging: In the second part, Zhao Yun does this against Wei pikemen coming at him from all sides, with predictable results.
 Red Cliff / int_87c62ade
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 Red Cliff / int_87c62ade
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Red Cliff / int_87c62ade
 Red Cliff / int_8b68d9a7
type
Stalker with a Crush
 Red Cliff / int_8b68d9a7
comment
Stalker with a Crush: Cao Cao for Xiao Qiao, to an eerie degree.
 Red Cliff / int_8b68d9a7
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 Red Cliff / int_8b68d9a7
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Red Cliff / int_8b68d9a7
 Red Cliff / int_9c1f758a
type
Kill It with Fire
 Red Cliff / int_9c1f758a
comment
Kill It with Fire: The famous strategy Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu use to wipe out a navy eight times the size of their own.
 Red Cliff / int_9c1f758a
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 Red Cliff / int_9c1f758a
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Red Cliff / int_9c1f758a
 Red Cliff / int_9d12bbc1
type
Foreshadowing
 Red Cliff / int_9d12bbc1
comment
Foreshadowing: In the second part, Zhou Yu reminisces about his school days with his old friend Jiang Gan, bringing up how he faked his handwriting and got him in trouble. This is exactly how he manages to con Cao Cao and screw over Jiang Gan in what turns out to be the very last time... Xiao Qiao asks Zhou Yu whether the bloodshed could have been avoided if they simply sat down with Cao Cao and discussed it over tea. Towards the end of the movie, that's pretty much what she does. When the allies first lay eyes on Cao Cao's armada, Zhang Fei claims that, if they were to use the ships as firewood, it would take over a hundred years to burn them all. No points for guessing how they defeat the invasion force, and it took considerably less than a hundred years. Not a foreshadowing of anything in the film, but the exchange between Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang about the possibility of them ending up on opposite sides of a battle in the future is precisely what happens a little while later.
 Red Cliff / int_9d12bbc1
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Red Cliff / int_9d12bbc1
 Red Cliff / int_9d17b859
type
Made of Iron
 Red Cliff / int_9d17b859
comment
Made of Iron: Zhao Yun suffers injuries that would kill mooks several times over, yet it doesn't seem to hamper his combat ability at all. Ditto for his horse.
 Red Cliff / int_9d17b859
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_9d17b859
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Red Cliff / int_9d17b859
 Red Cliff / int_a00fb5fd
type
First Love
 Red Cliff / int_a00fb5fd
comment
First Love: Sun Shangxiang, the princess of Wu, forcibly rejects any proposal ideas her brother makes including knocking out Liu Bei with a punch, and falls in love with a soldier from Wei who also happens to be the star athlete. The first time she saw him, he single-handedly dominated a soccer-esque game. The athlete also happens to be dumb—and strong—as an ox. And she was masquerading as a man at the time. So whether this constitutes love or friendship is open to interpretation.
 Red Cliff / int_a00fb5fd
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 Red Cliff / int_a00fb5fd
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Red Cliff / int_a00fb5fd
 Red Cliff / int_a19cce82
type
Merchandise-Driven
 Red Cliff / int_a19cce82
comment
Merchandise-Driven: Inverted: Namco Bandai's BB Senshi Sangokuden SD Gundam model kits, also featuring characters from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, were released with no connection to the film intended, until the rising popularity of the movie in Japan led them to re-release its own versions of Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu (Koumei Re-GZ and Shuuyu Hyakushiki) in a recolored boxset, including dioramas with screenshots from the movie The popularity of Red Cliff is probably one reason why BB Senshi Sangokuden got an Animated Adaptation. Regardless, Sangokuden is awesome in its own right Many tropers are probably a little more familiar with Koei's Dynasty Warriors series, where Red Cliff is The Battle of Chi-Bi, although the series share little in common with this movie, aside from characters and small tidbits of reference to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
 Red Cliff / int_a19cce82
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Red Cliff / int_a19cce82
 Red Cliff / int_a3c0d670
type
Evil Chancellor
 Red Cliff / int_a3c0d670
comment
Evil Chancellor: Cao Cao's transparent ambition is to usurp the imperial throne once he's done with the southern rebellions.
 Red Cliff / int_a3c0d670
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_a3c0d670
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Red Cliff / int_a3c0d670
 Red Cliff / int_a6049c20
type
Disturbed Doves
 Red Cliff / int_a6049c20
comment
John Woo's favourite avians make an appearance yet again, and this time, they're even plot-important!
 Red Cliff / int_a6049c20
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_a6049c20
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Red Cliff / int_a6049c20
 Red Cliff / int_a679184b
type
Due to the Dead
 Red Cliff / int_a679184b
comment
Due to the Dead: Zhou Yu decides to give the bodies of soldiers Cao Cao sent across the river a proper funeral, despite them being enemies. The fact that they're all infected with Typhoid and need to be cremated before they infect any more of his men is also a factor.
 Red Cliff / int_a679184b
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 Red Cliff / int_a679184b
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Red Cliff / int_a679184b
 Red Cliff / int_a68421bb
type
Animated Adaptation
 Red Cliff / int_a68421bb
comment
The popularity of Red Cliff is probably one reason why BB Senshi Sangokuden got an Animated Adaptation. Regardless, Sangokuden is awesome in its own right
 Red Cliff / int_a68421bb
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_a68421bb
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Red Cliff / int_a68421bb
 Red Cliff / int_a8217606
type
Sweet Polly Oliver
 Red Cliff / int_a8217606
comment
Sweet Polly Oliver: Shangxiang disguises herself as a soldier in order to infiltrate Cao Cao's camp.
 Red Cliff / int_a8217606
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 Red Cliff / int_a8217606
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Red Cliff / int_a8217606
 Red Cliff / int_a91f07ee
type
"No Peeking!" Request
 Red Cliff / int_a91f07ee
comment
"No Peeking!" Request: When Shangxiang is stripping in front of the council in order to show them the map she had concealed under her clothing, she clearly isn't concerned about her modesty, but her sister Xiao Qiao is and sends a glare to the men, causing them all to comically turn around and wait for her to unfurl the map.
 Red Cliff / int_a91f07ee
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Red Cliff / int_a91f07ee
 Red Cliff / int_a9f86a47
type
What a Senseless Waste of Human Life
 Red Cliff / int_a9f86a47
comment
What a Senseless Waste of Human Life: A statement echoed when the alliance finally defeats the Wei forces.
 Red Cliff / int_a9f86a47
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 Red Cliff / int_a9f86a47
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Red Cliff / int_a9f86a47
 Red Cliff / int_ac928039
type
Four-Star Badass
 Red Cliff / int_ac928039
comment
Four-Star Badass: The three Shu generals (Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun) are so immensely badass that they turn battles BY THEMSELVES. Cao Cao even lampshades this at one point by essentially asking why none of his officers are as badass as the ones serving Liu Bei. Zhou Yu and Gan Xing less so, but they're not too shabby themselves.
 Red Cliff / int_ac928039
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 Red Cliff / int_ac928039
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Red Cliff / int_ac928039
 Red Cliff / int_ad1db87c
type
Oh, Crap!
 Red Cliff / int_ad1db87c
comment
Oh, Crap!: Cao Cao's tricked into believing his two surrendered fleet admirals are traitors, and realizes he's being duped at the last possible second. "My Lord, if you kill them, who will lead the navy?" "...HALT!" *slice* He stands there paralyzed with anger. As Lady Sun prepares to give her prospective fiancee Liu Bei a Tap on the Head, Lu Su (who'd suffered from the same technique earlier, albeit via his horse) realizes just beforehand and is this personified. Also when Cao Cao looks on with shocked disbelief as the wind changes direction and Huang Gai commences the fire attack. When Zhou Yu announces that a farmer's water buffalo was stolen by his soldiers, the perpetrators are already looking nervous. Then it's pointed out that the perps would be the only ones with muddy feet. Cut to the perps looking very nervous.
 Red Cliff / int_ad1db87c
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Red Cliff / int_ad1db87c
 Red Cliff / int_b032e4ed
type
Ms. Fanservice
 Red Cliff / int_b032e4ed
comment
Ms. Fanservice: Xiao Qiao stars in a Gratuitious Sex Scene with Zhou Yu to make the audience care about her more, since she goes to Cao Cao's camp before the actual battle later after in an attempt to get him to throw the fight. Also, she is usually the focus of the scenes she's in and the camera also loves to focus whatever part of her skin she has exposed at that time.
 Red Cliff / int_b032e4ed
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 Red Cliff / int_b032e4ed
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Red Cliff / int_b032e4ed
 Red Cliff / int_b1a7cd14
type
Tap on the Head
 Red Cliff / int_b1a7cd14
comment
Tap on the Head: Shangxiang has a talent for these. First, she uses it on Lu Su's horse in response to his Stay in the Kitchen attitude. Then gets spun into a Brick Joke when she uses it on Liu Bei, and Lu Su is the first to see it coming...
 Red Cliff / int_b1a7cd14
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Red Cliff / int_b1a7cd14
 Red Cliff / int_b5b4b077
type
The Ace
 Red Cliff / int_b5b4b077
comment
The Ace: Zhou Yu is portrayed as a superb fighter on par with the likes of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun and a master strategist on par with Zhuge Liang. Both his combat and tactical prowess allows him to form a Bash Brothers bond with both Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun.
 Red Cliff / int_b5b4b077
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 Red Cliff / int_b5b4b077
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Red Cliff / int_b5b4b077
 Red Cliff / int_b72ae7
type
Omnidisciplinary Scientist
 Red Cliff / int_b72ae7
comment
Omnidisciplinary Scientist: Zhuge Liang, on top of being a brilliant strategist, is also something of an expert in music, medicine, meteorology, midwifery and rearing pigeons. The movie itself hangs a lampshade on this.
 Red Cliff / int_b72ae7
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Red Cliff / int_b72ae7
 Red Cliff / int_b79a7274
type
Color-Coded Armies
 Red Cliff / int_b79a7274
comment
Color-Coded Armies: White for Shu, red for Wu, and black for Wei. Their uniforms are otherwise virtually identical.
 Red Cliff / int_b79a7274
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 Red Cliff / int_b79a7274
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Red Cliff / int_b79a7274
 Red Cliff / int_b7c45771
type
Single Malt Vision
 Red Cliff / int_b7c45771
comment
Single Malt Vision: After drinking with Zhou Yu, Jiang Gan sees double when he overhears him speaking about borrowing arrows from friends across the river.
 Red Cliff / int_b7c45771
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 Red Cliff / int_b7c45771
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Red Cliff / int_b7c45771
 Red Cliff / int_b8e3f20a
type
Demoted to Extra
 Red Cliff / int_b8e3f20a
comment
Demoted to Extra: To a certain extent, Huang Gai. Historically, one of the reasons the Wu fleet was able to pull off the fire attack was because Cao Cao was expecting Huang Gai's ships from a false surrender ruse. This was expanded in the novel with an elaborate plan known as the "Bitter Meat Scheme" involving a beating and some Feed the Mole. Hand Waved in the film when Huang suggests the plan to Zhou Yu, but Zhou dismisses it, saying it's unnecessary, also stating that such a beating would leave Huang Gai unable to fight. He still appears in many scenes, often as Those Two Guys with Lu Su, and still leads the initial fire attack.
 Red Cliff / int_b8e3f20a
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 Red Cliff / int_b8e3f20a
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Red Cliff / int_b8e3f20a
 Red Cliff / int_b9fc31d3
type
Victoria's Secret Compartment
 Red Cliff / int_b9fc31d3
comment
Victoria's Secret Compartment: Shangxiang hides the map of Cao Cao's camp wrapped around her torso, and casually undresses to remove it.
 Red Cliff / int_b9fc31d3
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 Red Cliff / int_b9fc31d3
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Red Cliff / int_b9fc31d3
 Red Cliff / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Red Cliff / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Do NOT interrupt Zhang Fei's calligraphy practice! It's supposed to cultivate DISCIPLINE!!
 Red Cliff / int_bc74ef27
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1.0
 Red Cliff / int_bc74ef27
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Red Cliff / int_bc74ef27
 Red Cliff / int_bdc0a18e
type
Idiosyncratic Wipes
 Red Cliff / int_bdc0a18e
comment
Idiosyncratic Wipes: The second part begins with a Clip Show of the first, punctuated by sword slashes. They're maintained for the rest of the movie
 Red Cliff / int_bdc0a18e
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 Red Cliff / int_bdc0a18e
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Red Cliff / int_bdc0a18e
 Red Cliff / int_c82e751f
type
Unspoken Plan Guarantee
 Red Cliff / int_c82e751f
comment
Unspoken Plan Guarantee: Zhuge Liang's straw boat plan. And done on an even bigger scale with Liu Bei pulling out his forces.
 Red Cliff / int_c82e751f
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 Red Cliff / int_c82e751f
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Red Cliff / int_c82e751f
 Red Cliff / int_c93a6560
type
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice
 Red Cliff / int_c93a6560
comment
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Guan Yu does this to Wei pikemen with their own pikes. Also see Deadly Dodging above.
 Red Cliff / int_c93a6560
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 Red Cliff / int_c93a6560
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Red Cliff / int_c93a6560
 Red Cliff / int_cab5085a
type
Rain of Arrows
 Red Cliff / int_cab5085a
comment
Rain of Arrows: Played With by Zhuge Liang, who uses his famous straw boat ruse to steal Wei's arrows. It works so well, the ships start listing before he turns them around.
 Red Cliff / int_cab5085a
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 Red Cliff / int_cab5085a
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Red Cliff / int_cab5085a
 Red Cliff / int_cfb3edb2
type
Weather Saves the Day
 Red Cliff / int_cfb3edb2
comment
Weather Saves the Day: The "straw boat" plan depends on a fog bank preventing the Han navy from seeing that the boats crossing the river are nearly empty. A major plot point in the final battle is waiting for the wind to blow the right way, allowing the fleet of fire ships to do their work. The DVD case even includes a Stealth Pun reference to the importance of weather in the campaign: "Destiny lies in the wind".
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Red Cliff / int_cfb3edb2
 Red Cliff / int_d148b019
type
Mundane Made Awesome
 Red Cliff / int_d148b019
comment
Mundane Made Awesome: In the second part. Watch as Zhou Yu practices with his sword while Xiao Qiao quotes The Art of War (see below) and brews the CRAP out of her tea. Similarly, in the first part, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang play zithers together instead of discussing the potential alliance. They apparently gain an understanding of each other by how the other plays, and thus secure the alliance without actually talking about it at all.
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Red Cliff / int_d148b019
 Red Cliff / int_d323d090
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Incendiary Exponent
 Red Cliff / int_d323d090
comment
Incendiary Exponent: The fireship attack.
 Red Cliff / int_d323d090
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Red Cliff / int_d323d090
 Red Cliff / int_d3427b48
type
Yamato Nadeshiko
 Red Cliff / int_d3427b48
comment
Yamato Nadeshiko: Xiao Qiao. (Technically, more like a Zhōnghuá Yěhuā.) Lampshaded in the following dialogue:
 Red Cliff / int_d3427b48
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Red Cliff / int_d3427b48
 Red Cliff / int_d45c0b86
type
Refuge in Audacity
 Red Cliff / int_d45c0b86
comment
Refuge in Audacity: Zhou Yu's scheme to get Jiang Gan to believe that Cao Cao's Admirals are planning to defect opens with Zhou Yu reminding his old friend that he can forge other people's handwriting shortly before "accidentally" revealing the forged letter of defection. Later that evening, Zhou Yu openly states that the letter is another one of his legendary tricks. Jiang Gan still falls for it.
 Red Cliff / int_d45c0b86
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Red Cliff / int_d45c0b86
 Red Cliff / int_d50f985a
type
Bromantic Foil
 Red Cliff / int_d50f985a
comment
Bromantic Foil: Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, natch.
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Red Cliff / int_d50f985a
 Red Cliff / int_d9d2c40b
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Amazon Brigade
 Red Cliff / int_d9d2c40b
comment
Amazon Brigade: Sun Shangxiang's all-women cavalry archers.
 Red Cliff / int_d9d2c40b
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Red Cliff / int_d9d2c40b
 Red Cliff / int_da2b1604
type
Foe-Tossing Charge
 Red Cliff / int_da2b1604
comment
Foe-Tossing Charge: A few, but a particularly epic one courtesy of Zhang Fei. Even before that, Guan Yu breaks out of Cao Cao's forces by tackling a Wei general off his horse in order to steal said horse.
 Red Cliff / int_da2b1604
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Red Cliff / int_da2b1604
 Red Cliff / int_dae5c997
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Action Girl
 Red Cliff / int_dae5c997
comment
Action Girl: Sun Shangxiang; also technically a Lady of War, since she's a princess, if a rather tomboyish one.
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Red Cliff / int_dae5c997
 Red Cliff / int_df41acb
type
Casual Danger Dialogue
 Red Cliff / int_df41acb
comment
Casual Danger Dialogue: During the straw boat scheme, along with a cup of tea. Turns out they merely collect the arrows and don't provide much defense against them...
 Red Cliff / int_df41acb
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Red Cliff / int_df41acb
 Red Cliff / int_e0d0fb13
type
Please Put Some Clothes On
 Red Cliff / int_e0d0fb13
comment
Please Put Some Clothes On: When Shangxiang strips to her undergarments to unroll the map of Cao Cao's camp she had smuggled out under her clothes and repeatedly tries to get her to put her robe back on.
 Red Cliff / int_e0d0fb13
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Red Cliff / int_e0d0fb13
 Red Cliff / int_e16217f8
type
Historical Villain Upgrade
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comment
Historical Villain Upgrade: Cao Cao, as is common with adaptations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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 Red Cliff / int_e2ccee25
type
Animal Motifs
 Red Cliff / int_e2ccee25
comment
Animal Motifs: Zhuge Liang and Sun Quan compare Cao Cao to a tiger they hunt in the woods. The hunt is really a Secret Test of Character for Sun Quan to decide on whether or not to go to war with Cao Cao.
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Red Cliff / int_e2ccee25
 Red Cliff / int_e4ad6a07
type
ThemeSongPowerUp
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comment
Theme Song Power Up: Pay attention during Zhang Fei's Foe-Tossing Charge.
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 Red Cliff / int_e5421161
type
Expy
 Red Cliff / int_e5421161
comment
Expy: Gan Xing is based on Gan Ning (courtesy name Xingba). "based" because the historical/novel Gan Ning didn't die— much less did a Heroic Sacrifice, in the Red Cliffs campaign. Also, he dies at the Battle of Xiaoting in the hands of Shamoke in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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Red Cliff / int_e5421161
 Red Cliff / int_e544916b
type
Kiai
 Red Cliff / int_e544916b
comment
Kiai: "HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" *Zhang Fei tackles a fucking horse*
 Red Cliff / int_e544916b
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Red Cliff / int_e544916b
 Red Cliff / int_e913fe74
type
Epic Flail
 Red Cliff / int_e913fe74
comment
Epic Flail: In the first part, a huge chain of spiked rods is used to break a seemingly-impassable shield barrier. In the second part, Zhao Yun rips the ropes off a burning barricade with his spear and uses it (still burning too) like this.
 Red Cliff / int_e913fe74
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 Red Cliff / int_e9784ee6
type
Epic Movie
 Red Cliff / int_e9784ee6
comment
Epic Movie: This is big for China, a big place we're talking about, and one of the most famous Chinese historical dramas.
 Red Cliff / int_e9784ee6
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Red Cliff / int_e9784ee6
 Red Cliff / int_eb2195d9
type
Rousseau Was Right
 Red Cliff / int_eb2195d9
comment
Rousseau Was Right, Humans Are Bastards: Every faction simply wants to unite China under their respective rule and bring about an era of peace. The fact every faction is willing to kill lots of people to do so...
 Red Cliff / int_eb2195d9
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Red Cliff / int_eb2195d9
 Red Cliff / int_f10d3363
type
Distracted by the Sexy
 Red Cliff / int_f10d3363
comment
Distracted by the Sexy: Most of the male characters become visibly flustered when Shangxiang takes her enemy uniform off in front of them, before Xiao Qiao makes them turn away. Xiao Qiao uses this tactic to buy time for the Sun army.
 Red Cliff / int_f10d3363
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Red Cliff / int_f10d3363
 Red Cliff / int_f13a0451
type
Suicide Attack
 Red Cliff / int_f13a0451
comment
Suicide Attack: Gan Xing, already wounded by a dozen or so arrows, brings down Cao Cao's main gate by charging at it and throwing explosive charges at suicidally close range. He gets killed in the resulting blast.
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 Red Cliff / int_f1d6144a
type
War Is Hell
 Red Cliff / int_f1d6144a
comment
War Is Hell: Yes, the fight sequences are awesome, but they're also horrifyingly brutal and several scenes in the film are used to illustrate the tragedy caused. While the B plot with Shangxiang overly reeks of Romantic Plot Tumor, seeing the man who befriended her die before her eyes pretty much destroys her initial wide-eyed belief that being in battle is cool. This is lampshaded earlier in Part 1:
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Red Cliff / int_f1d6144a
 Red Cliff / int_f2b365c1
type
Libation for the Dead
 Red Cliff / int_f2b365c1
comment
Libation for the Dead: In part 1, the generals of Wu and Shu pour out some wine in memory of the messenger slain by Cao Cao.
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Red Cliff / int_f2b365c1
 Red Cliff / int_f4b1129f
type
Anger Born of Worry
 Red Cliff / int_f4b1129f
comment
Anger Born of Worry: Not surprisingly, this is Sun Quan's first reaction to Shangxiang returning from her more-or-less successful spying mission. It's highly justified when you remember there was a typhoid outbreak in that camp... and their father and brother are gone, and they're all that's left of the family.
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 Red Cliff / int_f68ac685
type
Battle Chant
 Red Cliff / int_f68ac685
comment
Battle Chant: Cao Cao's troops are dying of typhoid. Then, in a rare, villainous example of this trope, he gives a rallying speech to his men, who gather around him and together with the rest of his troops begin chanting 'Victory!' over and over again.
 Red Cliff / int_f68ac685
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Red Cliff / int_f68ac685
 Red Cliff / int_f740a274
type
Historical Beauty Update
 Red Cliff / int_f740a274
comment
Historical Beauty Update: The biggest examples are probably heart-throbs Takeshi Kaneshiro and Chang Chen as Zhuge Liang and Sun Quan, respectively. Tony Leung as Zhou Yu may be an exception, as Zhou Yu was actually considered very handsome by his contemporaries.
 Red Cliff / int_f740a274
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 Red Cliff / int_fdf22cfd
type
Evil Is Hammy
 Red Cliff / int_fdf22cfd
comment
Evil Is Hammy: Cao Cao
 Red Cliff / int_fdf22cfd
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Red Cliff / int_fdf22cfd
 Red Cliff / int_feac0f90
type
Ephebophile
 Red Cliff / int_feac0f90
comment
Ephebophile: Cao Cao admits that he was first taken to Xiao Qiao when he visited her father and caught sight of her quite a while back. "So very young, yet already a lady." It is also debatable whether he is an ephebophile or he suffers from Single-Target Sexuality. Insofar as the movie is concerned, he is only interested in women that at least resemble of Xiao Qiao. He certainly does not lose interest in her when she becomes an adult. This is a plot point.
 Red Cliff / int_feac0f90
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 Red Cliff / int_ff7f34c5
type
Pet the Dog
 Red Cliff / int_ff7f34c5
comment
Pet the Dog: Cao Cao's speech to his sick troops, which galvanizes his entire army behind him. Alternative Character Interpretation: Cao Cao is just showing how charismatic he is to manipulate his soldiers into fighting for him. It's actually more likely an accurate interpretation considering it's Cao Cao.
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ItemName
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Red Cliff

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

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Angry Eyebrows / int_2d9d9149
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Armor Is Useless / int_2d9d9149
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Arrow Catch / int_2d9d9149
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Arrows on Fire / int_2d9d9149
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Attack Pattern Alpha / int_2d9d9149
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Automatic Crossbows / int_2d9d9149
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Battle Epic / int_2d9d9149
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Big Badass Battle Sequence / int_2d9d9149
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Cargo Ship / int_2d9d9149
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Close-Call Haircut / int_2d9d9149
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Epic Movie / int_2d9d9149
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Fake Nationality / int_2d9d9149
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Historical Hero Upgrade / int_2d9d9149
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Imperial China / int_2d9d9149
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Libation for the Dead / int_2d9d9149
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Misfit Mobilization Moment / int_2d9d9149
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Rain of Arrows / int_2d9d9149
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Reformed Criminal / int_2d9d9149
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Renaissance Man / int_2d9d9149
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Single Malt Vision / int_2d9d9149
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Sinister Scimitar / int_2d9d9149
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Sweet Polly Oliver / int_2d9d9149
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Talking through Technique / int_2d9d9149
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Tap on the Head / int_2d9d9149
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Tea Is Classy / int_2d9d9149
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The Siege / int_2d9d9149
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The Sons and the Spears / int_2d9d9149
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Understatement / int_2d9d9149
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Weather Saves the Day / int_2d9d9149
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Yamato Nadeshiko / int_2d9d9149