We are the 8th Route Army Battalion

During the most difficult years of the Anti-Japanese War in 1941, the Japanese invaders and the Kuomintang's forces colluded with each other harassing the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border area. Because of this, people faced many difficulties. A charcoal burning team of Eighth Route Army in Yan'an responded to the call of the Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao to "do it yourself, get enough food and clothing". Under the leadership of the captain Zhao Changlong, they rush to the deep mountains and old forests to cut through thorns, camp, and dig kilns to burn charcoal.

Directed by Wang Ping, We are the 8th Route Army Battalion leans on a strong ensemble — Gao Baocheng, Zheng Qianlong, Changyu Ma — 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 screen titles of 1978.