Qing Dynasty official Lin Zexu believes opium is a national scourge and efforts must be made to eradicate it.

The British Empire makes a great deal of money shipping it to China and selling it to Chinese drug addicts.

When Lin Zexu arrives in Guangdong in 1838, he immediately bans its use and seizes large quantities from the British drug traffickers.

The British demand monetary compensation for the seized opium, five free trade ports in China, and the island of Hong Kong as their sovereign territory.

In the climax of the film, Guan Tianpei leads his troops in defense of Humen Fort while the British Army launch a fierce fusillade of cannon fire from their warships.

By showing the historical background and process of the Opium War, the film makes the audience more deeply realize the importance of peace and stability for the country.

[5] The Guardian recognised that the film, despite its official backing, "was relatively nuanced," and praised the performance of Bob Peck as the corrupt opium trader Denton.