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Red Cliff

Directed by John Woo · 2008 ·

Short answer

Is Red Cliff worth watching?

Yes. Red Cliff (2008) earns a 78% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

78%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

90% Editorial Rating
86% Audience snapshot · excluded
70 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.9
7.3 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 28m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · MA15+ (Australia) · 15 (South Korea)
Streaming
Prime Video
Country
China
Language
Mandarin

Also known as 赤壁 Acantilado Rojo Les 3 Royaumes - 1ère Partie A Batalha dos 3 Reinos レッドクリフ Part I 적벽대전: 거대한 전쟁의 시작 赤壁（上） Kızıl Uçurum

🏆 4 award wins — Won Best Supporting Actor, Golden Horse Awards 2008

Where to watch

  • Prime Video

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Red Cliff by country

Country Streaming on
Malaysia Lionsgate Play
South Korea Netflix, Wavve, TVING
United States Prime Video

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (90/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (86%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (70/100).
  • Celluloid Score 78% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded action, history pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Red Cliff worth watching?

    Yes — Red Cliff earns a 78% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, history pick. Read our full review (4/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    John Woo's return to Chinese historical epic filmmaking delivers scale, strategy, and operatic combat.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is Red Cliff about?

    Allied warlords unite against a ruthless prime minister in a massive naval battle that decides the fate of the Han dynasty.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Red Cliff

    Red Cliff (2008) Review: John Woo's Three Kingdoms Epic

    Red Cliff is John Woo's lavish retelling of the Three Kingdoms battle, with Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro as allies facing Cao Cao's vast army and fleet.

    Yes, with reservations. It is grand, exciting historical spectacle for war-epic fans; seek out the two-part version if you can, as the single cut feels compressed.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Red Cliff stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Red Cliff production still 1
    Red Cliff production still 2
    Red Cliff production still 3
    Red Cliff production still 4
    Red Cliff production still 5
    Red Cliff production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Red Cliff: frequently asked questions

    Is Red Cliff worth watching?

    Yes. Red Cliff (2008) has a Celluloid Score of 78%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Red Cliff?

    In the United States, Red Cliff streams on Prime Video with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Lionsgate Play in Malaysia; Netflix, Wavve, TVING in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Red Cliff?

    Red Cliff runs 2 hours 28 minutes (148 minutes).

    What is Red Cliff rated?

    Red Cliff is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, MA15+ in Australia and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Red Cliff?

    Red Cliff is directed by John Woo and stars Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi.

    What is the Metascore for Red Cliff?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Red Cliff is 70 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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