Explosion Before Dawn

In autumn 1948, during the Huaihai Campaign, Xie Yanfei, a reconnaissance chief, infiltrated Hekou City with driver Xiao Wang, using Lou A’mei as cover. Discovering the local Party organization was compromised, he sought his childhood sweetheart, Xia Cailian, who had joined the enemy’s service corps. They met secretly at Lou A’mei’s, but the enemy grew suspicious. After a firefight, Xie was wounded, and Xiao sacrificed himself. Xie escaped into a lake and was rescued by Xia Cailian, who recognized him as her former lover. Despite their past, Xie maintained secrecy and left without revealing their identities.

Directed by Zhu Wenshun, Ruiqi Zhao, Explosion Before Dawn leans on a strong ensemble — Xu Yuanqi, Ren Yi, Xiaofei Sun — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about war titles of 1984.