IMDb 4.8 2012 HD

The Guillotines

The Guillotines

2012
Action Adventure Drama History
113 min R China
5.509 / 10
4.8 IMDB

In the time of the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Yongzheng created a secret army known as the Guillotines. It was the job of the Guillotines to protect the…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Andrew Lau Wai-Keung / Lee Tat-Chiu / Wong Fei-Fei
Starring
Huang Xiaoming / Ethan Juan / Shawn Yue / Chris Lee Yuchun / Jing Boran / Wen Zhang / Zhou Yiwei / Jimmy Wang Yu

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gripping brutal historical action-packed dramatic intriguing violent well-acted stylish intense predictable engaging

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 26, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This historical action drama, 'The Guillotines,' offers a thrilling glimpse into the shadowy operations of Emperor Yongzheng's secret enforcers. The film is elevated by its talented cast, including Ethan Juan and Jing Boran, who deliver performances that are…

A
Arthur Pendelton
Apr 26, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'The Guillotines' presents a fascinating concept: an emperor's personal, deadly strike force. The film brings this idea to life with a strong cast, notably Huang Xiaoming and Chris Lee Yuchun, who bring a gravitas to their roles as…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Apr 26, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'The Guillotines,' we are introduced to a formidable secret army tasked with safeguarding the Emperor's power during a turbulent Qing era. The film attempts to weave a tale of elite assassins with a narrative of political machinations,…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 26, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A visceral journey into imperial espionage, 'The Guillotines' delivers on its promise of high-octane action and historical intrigue. The performances from Huang Xiaoming and his co-stars are commendable, capturing the stoic resolve and underlying humanity of these royal…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 26, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This Qing Dynasty thriller plunges viewers into the shadowy world of Emperor Yongzheng's elite assassins, the Guillotines. The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, led by Huang Xiaoming and Ethan Juan, who imbue their deadly roles with a…

FAQs

The film's premise suggests a tone that blends historical drama with intense action. The creation of a secret army implies an atmosphere of intrigue and danger, while their mission to eliminate threats points towards a serious and potentially grim narrative. Expect a serious exploration of loyalty and consequence within a martial arts framework.