---
title: "The Great Wall"
year: 2016
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-great-wall-2016"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 311324
imdb_id: "tt2034800"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 103
community_rating: 6.0
vote_count: 5595
content_rating: "PG-13"
---

# The Great Wall (2016) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-great-wall-2016

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Great Wall is a 2016 action‑adventure‑fantasy film that was released in the United States on February 17 2017 with a PG‑13 rating and a running time of one hour and forty‑three minutes. The story follows a group of European mercenaries who travel to China in search of black powder. While on this mission, they become caught up in the defense of the Great Wall of China, which is under attack by a horde of monstrous creatures. The film presents the wall as a massive structure built over many centuries, emphasizing its length and the scale of the threat it faces. By combining historical settings with fantasy elements, the narrative places the mercenaries in a conflict that pits them against the supernatural forces threatening the wall’s defenders. The movie is categorized under the action, adventure, and fantasy genres, reflecting its blend of combat sequences, exploratory travel, and imaginative monster battles.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "European mercenaries join China’s wall defenders against monstrous invaders."

### Why Watch
- Epic battle sequences
- Impressive visual depiction of the Great Wall

### Caveats & Content Note
- PG-13 rating limits graphic intensity
- Tone & Suitability: Suitable for teens and adults; contains fantasy violence and mild language.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: action, adventure, fantasy, epic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | YouTube TV | YouTube Free, Tubi TV | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | BINGE, Foxtel Now | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Zhang Yimou
- **Networks / Studios**: Universal Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, Le Vision Pictures

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Matt Damon** as *William*
- **Jing Tian** as *Commander Lin Mae*
- **Willem Dafoe** as *Ballard*
- **Andy Lau** as *Strategist Wang*
- **Pedro Pascal** as *Tovar*
- **Zhang Hanyu** as *General Shao*
- **Lu Han** as *Peng Yong*
- **Lin Gengxin** as *Commander Chen*
- **Eddie Peng Yu-Yan** as *Commander Wu*
- **Huang Xuan** as *Commander Deng*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the main conflict?
European mercenaries help defend the Great Wall against a horde of monstrous creatures.

### Q: What genre does the film belong to?
It is classified as action, adventure, and fantasy.

### Q: How long is the movie?
The runtime is about 1 hour 43 minutes.

### Q: When was the film released in the United States?
It was released on February 17, 2017.

### Q: What is the film’s rating?
The movie carries a PG-13 rating.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Great Wall — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/311324)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*