Bacasmas, Francis Royce V.
09/02/2019
A MOVIE REVIEW: The Art of War by Sun Tzu
1. King Helu of Wu was the first royalty to recognize the skills of Sun Tzu as a war leader and
strategist. Narrate the challenge that King Helu gave Sun Tzu and describe how Sun Tzu successfully
delivered what he desired. Identify the strategy/principle learned.
The King of Wu tested his abilities before employing Sun Tzu by ordering him to train
a harem of spoiled, soft concubines into soldiers. He simply showed them the important
maneuvers, chose the two most senior of the concubines to serve as platoon leaders and
charged them into making sure discipline is observed in their units. When Sun Tzu orders the
exercise to begin, the women simply laughed. In response, Sun Tzu said that the general, in
this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given
to them. Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled. Sun Tzu then
ordered the execution of the king's appointed officers. He explained that if the general's
soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. Sun
Tzu also said that, once a general was appointed, it was his duty to carry out his mission.
There is only one way that Sun Tzu can force the concubines that he is deadly serious, he
then chopped of the heads of the appointed officers. To Sun Tzu, war is a matter of life and
death. This is the key principle of his teachings. Once understood, everyone from the leader
down to the individual soldier will be motivated to win. Sun Tzu appoints two new officers;
the women now follow his orders without hesitation.
2. Sun Tzu, from Kingdom of Wu, successfully won the war with the State of Chu. How did he do
this? Narrate 3 events / strategies that he did. Be specific with events, people and place.
a. Outnumbered, 10-1, Sun Tzu could wait and prepare his defenses, but being Sun Tzu, he
does the unexpected and invades Chu. Sun Tzu doesn’t attack Chu’s army head-on but
chooses soft targets like remote posts and border crossings. Sun Tzu attacks with blistering
speed and brutal efficiency.
b. Namwa, the head warrior of Chu, immediately launches counter-offensives, but when the
reinforcements arrived, Sun Tzu’s soldiers are gone and attacking the next location. By
keeping Chu constantly shifting its forces back and forth on the frontier, he frustrates their
leaders, and gains at the same time a much better picture of what the Chu armies will likely
fight. After every battle, Sun Tzu gains a better understanding of his enemies. He downplays
the value of direct attack and puts the emphasis on maneuver, surprise and deception.
c. All warfare should be based on intellect. In fact, the greatest battle is won by the brain
and not brute force.
3. Describe the game of Chess as discussed in the movie.
Chess is very much attrition-based, you start the board with many pieces and over
the game they are eliminated and at the end you only have a few pieces left. The object is to
force the enemy to surrender by eliminating pieces, each piece has its own role and can
move in specific way. The goal is to kill the king.
4. Describe the Game of Go (Chinese version of Chess) as discussed in the movie.
In contrast to chess, the Game of Go starts the board empty and uses few pieces as
possible to acquire as much territory as you can which is a resource-effiecient strategy. Its
goal is not the destruction of the enemy but the conquest of space – to capture more
territory using least number of stones. Using a Go like strategy, Sun Tzu decides when and
where he fights, he avoids the strongest parts of the Chu army and attack on the weakest.
9. Identify 5 strategies you learned from Sun Tzu that is applicable in business.
a. If you see what the enemy is planning, you can prepare to pull the rug from their strategic
feet. If you cannot see their plans, then you may be able to outmaneuver them before battle
is joined.
b. Conceal a dagger in a smile. Befriend your business opponents to get their guards down,
then attack their weakest point.
c. Watch the fire burning from across the river. Allow your other enemy to fight while you
rest and watch. Destroy the exhausted survivor later.
d. Create something out of nothing. Turn something that is not substantial into reality.
e. Loot a burning house. When your business opponents are down, strike them.
