Corto Maltese: The Secret Court of the Arcane

Corto Maltese: The Secret Court of the Arcane

2002 · 92 min · FR · 6.3 (40 votes)
Dir. Pascal Morelli · Starring Richard Berry, Patrick Bouchitey, Barbara Schulz, Marie Trintignant, Marc Chapiteau, Maxime Leroux · Music Franco Piersanti · Corto Maltese Collection
DramaAnimationHistoryAdventure

At the end of 1918 while civil war is raging on in Russia, antagonism is slowly spreading to the East, between the Oral mountains and Shanghai. Stuck between a desire to save what's left of the great Imperial Russia, and starting from a clean slate, old generals, secret organizations, and mercenaries attracted by gold, struggle to take advantage of the events. As Corto Maltese returns to Shanghai, he barely gets time to cross paths with his old friend/nemesis Rasputin, and escape a murder attempt before being contacted by members of a Chinese secret organization called "The Red Lanterns". In the heart of violent Manchurian horizons, Corto and Rasputin launch themselves into a fabulous treasure hunt, following the tracks of the mysterious armor-plated train of Kolchak. A steel monster spiked with canons and machine guns, this trains protects the counter-revolutionaries gold...

VIBE

A visually rich, globe-trotting adventure steeped in the political turmoil of early 20th-century China. Expect a blend of historical intrigue, shadowy organizations, and a thrilling treasure hunt with a morally ambiguous hero.

atmosphericmysteriousgrittyadventuroussteadyanimatedhistorical dramaperiod piecepulpyadventurehistoryloyaltygreed
chinashanghaichinamanchuriabiographysiberiacorto maltese1900s
MORE LIKE THIS — multi-vector + why, diversified