The Admiral: Roaring Currents 2014

As the cinematic canvas unfolds, the spotlight shines brightly on a pivotal moment in Korean history - the Battle of Myeongnyang, circa 1597. This legendary conflict serves as the backdrop for a tale of bravery and strategy, as Admiral Yi Sun-sin (character) takes center stage with his modest fleet of 12 ships. The stakes are high as he confronts an imposing Japanese armada, comprising a staggering 333 vessels, in a David-and-Goliath-esque showdown.

The Japanese invaders, led by the cunning Tōdō Takatora, arrive at their stronghold in Haenam with a sense of overconfidence, believing their expedition to capture King Seonjo in Hansong will be nothing short of a cakewalk. However, their hubris is tempered by the knowledge that Joseon’s most revered admiral, Yi Sun-sin, has been reinstated following his previous defeat at Chilcheollyang, leaving the Korean navy with barely enough ships to mount a defense.

Seeking to guarantee the success of their operation, Hideyoshi dispatches one of his most skilled naval commanders, Kurushima Michifusa (character), an expert in naval combat, but also notorious for his pirate-like reputation among his peers. As Kurushima and his lieutenant, Kimura, arrive on the scene, they are met by Wakizaka, a battle-hardened admiral of the Japanese Left Army. Their initial encounter is marked by tension and mistrust, particularly after Kurushima goads Wakizaka over his defeat at Hansan Island.

As the days pass, Kurushima finds solace in sake-fueled revelry with his sharpshooter, Haru, during which he reveals a personal vendetta against Yi Sun-sin. His brother Michiyuki had fallen victim to the admiral’s wrath earlier in the war, fueling Kurushima’s determination to exact revenge. With the battle lines drawn and passions running high, the stage is set for an epic confrontation that will forever change the course of history.

As Yi Sun-sin navigates the treacherous waters of despondency, his officers and troops are consumed by an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The daunting prospect of facing an enemy force that vastly outnumbers them, coupled with the loss of their last turtle ship, has taken a devastating toll on morale. Despite his stoic exterior, Yi is struggling to maintain the confidence of his men, and the pressure to find a solution to their dire predicament is mounting. But just as all hope seems lost, General Bae Seol’s treachery serves as a catalyst for chaos. The deserter’s burning of the turtle ship and attempted assassination of Yi pushes the admiral to the brink, but he narrowly escapes harm and exacts revenge on his would-be killer.

Undeterred by his losses, Yi turns to the Myeongnyang Strait, a notorious testing ground known for its treacherous currents. This strategic location holds the key to crushing the enemy’s morale, as the Japanese intend to cross it en route to Hansong. In a moment of introspection with his son Hoe, Yi reveals that only by converting the fear that grips his men into courage can they hope to emerge victorious.

With the departure of the Japanese attack fleet imminent, Yi abandons his base and relocates to Usuyeong, where he sets fire to the naval facilities before departing. The next morning, Yi’s fleet arrives at the strait, only to be met by the Japanese vanguard led by Kurushima. A fierce battle ensues, with Yi’s flagship finding itself encircled and under attack from boarding parties. In a desperate bid to turn the tide, Yi orders a concentrated volley of cannons to be fired from the rower deck’s port hatches, utilizing their recoil to blast his ship free from its precarious position.

This daring display of bravery serves as a beacon of inspiration for the rest of Yi’s countrymen, galvanizing them into action against the enemy. As the tide begins to turn in their favor, Yi’s unyielding resolve and strategic thinking have set the stage for a heroic comeback that will be remembered for generations to come.

As the ocean’s tides conspire against Kurushima’s fleet, Yi’s defensive stronghold solidifies like a fortified citadel. With his ships arrayed in a formidable phalanx, Kurushima orders an all-out assault, pouring all available resources into the fray. Haru and her trusty vessel, laden with explosive black powder charges, throw everything they’ve got at the Koreans’ unyielding walls. Despite the valiant efforts of both sides, the Korean forces, emboldened by their unwavering resolve, prove too strong to breach. The desperate Kurushima finds himself isolated, his options dwindling like the ebbing tide.

As he gazes upon Yi’s flagship with a mixture of disdain and desperation, Todo watches from afar, his expression a mask of detachment as Katō implores him to reinforce their beleaguered ally. Undeterred by the odds, Kurushima takes drastic action, boarding Yi’s vessel and clashing swords with the Korean commander in a fierce, if futile, duel. As the Japanese leader falls, struck down by Yi’s unyielding determination, his lifeless head is suspended from the mast of Yi’s ship like a macabre trophy.

As Yi’s own flagship becomes entangled in the whirlpool’s grasp, a band of courageous civilian navy servants and local fishermen spring into action, toiling tirelessly to free their vessel from the ocean’s merciless grip. With their fleet reunited, Yi orchestrates a counterattack that crushes the Japanese forces beneath its unrelenting fury, sending them fleeing in disarray. As the dust settles, the Koreans stand victorious, their triumph marked by the poignant reminder of the first fateful encounter between the Japanese and the turtle ship, a harbinger of the blood-soaked battles to come in 1592.