The Third Squad

Last updated
The Third Squad
Directed byDai Mo
Written byZhang Ji
Based onPlease Tell the Director: The Mission of Brigade Three Has Been Completed
by Shen Lan
Produced by Chen Sicheng
Starring
CinematographyDong Jinsong
Edited by
  • Yang Hongyu
  • Tang Hongjia
Music byPeng Fei
Production
companies
  • Wanda Pictures (Hainan) Co., Ltd.
  • Beijing Yitong Legend Film & TV Culture Co., Ltd.
  • Beijing Anrui Film & TV Culture Media Co., Ltd.
  • China Film Group Corporation
  • Shanghai Tao Piaopiao Film & TV Culture Co., Ltd.
Running time
132 minutes
Countrychina
LanguageMandarin Chinese

The Third Squad is a 2023 Chinese crime drama film produced by Chen Sicheng and directed by Dai Mo. The film stars Zhang Yi, Li Chen, Wei Chen, Cao Bingkun, Wang Xiao, and Zhang Zixian. It is adapted from the nonfiction short story "Please Tell the Director, the Mission of the Third Squad Is Complete" by Shen Lan. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot Summary

In 2002, a brutal case of home invasion, rape, and murder shocks Taiping, Guangdong Province. The Third Criminal Investigation Squad, led by Captain Cheng Bing, vows to crack the case within five days. The investigation quickly targets brothers Wang Dayong and Wang Eryong, who disguise themselves as air conditioner repairmen. During the pursuit, Cheng’s mentor Zhang collapses from a cerebral hemorrhage. [3]

After Wang Dayong is arrested and blames his brother for the crime, he mocks Cheng by smirking at a photo of Cheng’s daughter. Enraged, the squad beats him, resulting in Wang’s death. The squad is later convicted of torture and imprisoned, losing their police status.

In 2009, Cheng is released from prison. The former squad members have gone their separate ways. Cheng persuades them to reunite and continue pursuing Wang Eryong as civilians. They take on various jobs—security guard, internet café staff, AC repair—to broaden their reach. Over time, each member departs due to personal reasons, leaving only Cheng. [4]

In 2013, now working as a water deliveryman, Cheng tracks Wang Eryong to Tongren, Guizhou. A fight ensues and both are taken to the police. A DNA alert confirms Wang’s identity, and he is arrested. A police officer assures Cheng that a solid evidence chain is enough for conviction, even without a confession. As Cheng leaves, he reports: the mission of the Third Squad is complete. [5]

Cast

ActorRoleDescription
Zhang YiCheng BingCaptain of the Third Criminal Investigation Squad in Taiping City. Sentenced to 8 years in prison after Wang Dayong’s death. After release, he travels across China in various jobs to track Wang Eryong, eventually locating him in Guizhou.
Li Chen Yang JiantaoCaptain of the Second Squad. Collaborates with Cheng on the 9.21 case and later becomes the police chief of Taiping.
Wei ChenXu YizhouYoungest member of the Third Squad and a police academy graduate. Sentenced to 6 years. After release, works with dogs and joins Cheng’s search. Falls in love in Deyang, Sichuan, and eventually leaves the mission to start a family in Maoming, Guangdong.
Cao Bingkun Cai BinThird Squad member. Sentenced to 5 years. Opens a street-side antique shop post-release. Leaves the team after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan—the last to leave besides Cheng.
Wang XiaoMa ZhenkunThird Squad member. Sentenced to 5 years. Runs a food stall with his wife. Leaves the mission due to family reasons in Changsha, Hunan.
Zhang ZixianLiao JianThird Squad member. Sentenced to 5 years and disowned by his family. Sells insurance with his son after release. Leaves the mission due to homesickness in Shenyang, Liaoning.
Yang XinmingZhang QingliangVeteran Third Squad member and Cheng’s mentor. Dies from a cerebral hemorrhage during the initial investigation.
Zhang BenyuWang EryongOne of the perpetrators of the 9.21 case. Takes a new identity and starts a family. Captured in Tongren, Guizhou. Sentenced to death for rape and intentional injury.

Production

At the end of 2018, Wanda Pictures acquired the adaptation rights for Shen Lan’s short story. The project was later recommended to Chen Sicheng’s production company, Yiteng Studio. [6] [3]

On January 30, 2022, the China Film Administration announced the film’s official approval. [7] Filming began on October 25, 2022, and wrapped in Shenyang on December 22. [8]

Box Office

The film grossed 706 million RMB in mainland China. [9]

Awards and Honors

YearAward CeremonyCategoryNominee(s)ResultReference
2024China Film Directors Guild Commendations 2020-2023Film of the Year (2023)The Third SquadNominated
19th Changchun Film Festival Golden Deer AwardsBest FilmNominated [10]
Best ScreenplayZhang JiNominated [11]
202520th Huabiao AwardsOutstanding Feature FilmThe Third SquadWon
Outstanding ActorZhang YiWon
Outstanding Film MusicPeng FeiWon

References

  1. ↑ Huang, Jialing (2023-12-15). "《三大队》故事本就感人，不用炫技了丨导演说 — 新京报" [en.The story of “The Third Squad” is already touching, no need to show off your skills | Director says — Beijing News]. www.bjnews.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  2. ↑ "张译实力封王！凭借《三大队》获第二十届华表奖优秀男演员奖_观众们_获奖_电影" [en.Zhang Yi wins big! He got the Best Actor Award at the 20th Huabiao Awards for his role in “The Third Squad.”]. www.sohu.com. 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  3. 1 2 "《三大队》：一个"孤勇者"的追凶之旅_澎湃号·媒体_澎湃新闻-The Paper" [en.“The Third Squad”: A Lone Hero's Quest for Justice_The Paper Media_The Paper]. www.thepaper.cn. 2024-01-14. Archived from the original on 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  4. ↑ "电影《三大队》背后的故事：真实自有千钧之力_文化课_澎湃新闻-The Paper" [en.The Story Behind the Film “The Third Brigade”: The Power of Truth_Culture_The Paper]. www.thepaper.cn. 2023-12-18. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  5. ↑ "电影《三大队》今日公映 四大看点解锁2023大银幕最后的感动-新华网" [en.The movie “The Third Brigade” premieres today. Four highlights unlock the last emotional moment of 2023 on the big screen - Xinhua News Agency]. www.news.cn. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  6. ↑ "如何将万余字纪实文学搬上银幕原著作者深蓝讲述《三大队》幕后故事_法治周末官网" [en.How to adapt a 10,000-word non-fiction work for the big screen: Original author Shen Lan recounts the behind-the-scenes story of “The Third Brigade” _ Legal Weekly Official Website]. www.legalweekly.cn. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  7. ↑ "Notice from the China Film Administration on Film Script (Outline) Filings and Project Approvals for December 2021". China Film Administration.
  8. ↑ "国家电影局关于2021年12月全国电影剧本（梗概） 备案、立项公示的通知-电影备案立项公示-国家电影局" [en.Notice from the National Film Bureau on the Filing and Approval of Film Scripts (Synopses) Nationwide in December 2021 - Film Filing and Approval Announcement - National Film Bureau]. www.chinafilm.gov.cn (in Chinese). 2022-01-29. Archived from the original on 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  9. ↑ "猫眼电影PC端" [en. Maoyan Movie PC version]. www.maoyan.com. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  10. ↑ "第十九届中国长春电影节闭幕" [en.The 19th Changchun Film Festival closes]. cul.china.com.cn. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  11. ↑ "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"揭晓" [en.The 19th Changchun Film Festival “Golden Deer Award” announced]. jl.people.com.cn. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
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