Formosa Betrayed

2009, Mystery & thriller/Crime, 1h 48m

29 Reviews 250+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Though the real-life drama it was inspired by could certainly form the basis for a worthwhile political action thriller, Formosa Betrayed isn't it. Read critic reviews

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Formosa Betrayed Photos

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Movie Info

A murder investigation takes a federal agent (James Van Der Beek) to the victim's native Taiwan.

Cast & Crew

James Van Der Beek
Jake Kelly
Tzi Ma
Kuo
Will Tiao
Ming
Wendy Crewson
Susan Kane
John Heard
Tom Braxton
Leslie Hope
Lisa Gilbert
Kenneth Tsang
Gen. Tse
Chelcie Ross
Daltry
Adam Wang
Lee
Adam Kane
Director
Charlie Stratton
Screenwriter
Yann Samuell
Screenwriter
Brian Askew
Screenwriter
Nathaniel Goodman
Screenwriter
Will Tiao
Producer
David Allen Cluck
Producer
Adam Kane
Producer
Irek Hartowicz
Cinematography
Howard E. Smith
Film Editing
Jeff Danna
Original Music
Anthony Stabley
Production Design
Karyn Wagner
Costume Design
Arin Pinijvararak
Art Director
Tricia Schneider
Set Decoration
Deborah Aquila
Casting
Claire Simon
Casting
Mary Tricia Wood
Casting
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Critic Reviews for Formosa Betrayed

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (19)
Full Review… Joe Williams St. Louis Post-Dispatch Full Review… Jeff Shannon Seattle Times Full Review… Rick Groen Globe and Mail Full Review… Jen Chaney Washington Post Full Review… Tirdad Derakhshani Philadelphia Inquirer Full Review… Tom Long Detroit News Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Jeffrey Chen ReelTalk Movie Reviews Full Review… Liz Braun Jam! Movies Full Review… Annlee Ellingson Moving Pictures Magazine Full Review… Jeff Meyers Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for Formosa Betrayed

  • Jul 28, 2012
    Based on a real-life political event, it's à la James Bond flick that's quite passable. While, at times, it evidently got beyond real, that particular aspect at least didn't manage to irritate me as much as it happened to be the case with some other movies of its genre recently. Find that a bit odd because it lacked credible performances.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • May 18, 2012
    full of facts and interesting film quite a surprise considering james van der beek's presence. the film is well shot and well acted but the overall story is a little thin. you may get a little confused with all the politics but overall its a passable thriller that is above average
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Dec 24, 2011
    A bit of a mixed bag in that it has the makings for a smart political thriller, but manages only to be an interesting history lesson, and never particularly thrilling. The acting is okay overall, especially in the face of some obvious script decencies. The set pieces and world building were impressive, the Taiwan in this film feels real and gritty, something many films set abroad lack. The geopolitical backdrop is much more interesting than the actual plot line itself, but all in all a serviceable mystery/thriller.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 02, 2010
    The supposedly true story told in this movie was pretty good, and decently told....... but someone in the course of producing this flick thought it was a good idea to flash-back and flash forward several distracting times. The acting was fine, as was the camera work which helped establish time and place, but it was the editing that made this movie less than it could have been.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
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