My Chief and My Regiment - Receptions and Complaints

Receptions and Complaints

My Chief and My Regiment received polarized receptions from TV audiences. Many rated the series highly, calling it "a milestone in Chinese TV productions" for the innovative break-away from the traditional style of war dramas. The series' recreation of realistic battlefields was also praised by the majority audience. The series' die-hard fans, known as "Chief fans" (团粉), often considered themselves "suffering from the Chief addiction (团毒)" that made them distasted to other politically "glorified" but unrealistic mainstream war dramas. However, some viewers disliked the series' portrayal of the war-fatigued soldiers, criticizing the dirty and undisciplined appearance as "eyesores". The series was also branded a "divide" as many felt marginalized by the series' complex straight play-style dialogues. Some viewers experienced difficulty in understanding dialogues and the messages they conveyed, and often had to go and consult the novel.

Many netizens in China have complained about 3 seconds of footage that seemed to be copied straight from the 2001 American movie Pearl Harbor, particularly the aerial combat scenes where specific aircraft are being analyzed and modified to fit into the series' 3D special effects.

Some viewers complained about the military equipment in the show being like a "mixing pot", as the regiment was equipped with weapons and helmets varying from British, French, German, to Japanese and American, not typical of NRA soldiers, who were usually thought to be American-trained and equipped. The TV series actually portrayed history faithfully as the 1st Burmese Expedition of 1942 were organized mainly from former local Chinese warlords from Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi provinces, whose military equipment varied greatly. The series' dedicated regiment was also defined as a delinquent group neglected and disliked by their superiors, and hence scavenged any utilities they could find, while the elite elements of NRA was portrayed as either German or American-equipped. In fact, the production team used real weapons from local war museums that fired blank rounds for sense of realism.

Some viewers also criticized one particular scene where NRA soldiers surround and bash a Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go tank with dadaos and buttstocks, calling the scene as "ridiculous" and "degrading to fallen soldiers". However, this is historically factual as many National Revolutionary Army soldiers (especially those from local armed forces) were illiterate conscripts who had never seen tanks previously. The NRA also lacked sufficient anti-tank weapons, leaving its troopers often resort to desperate and extreme measures to fight against the enemy. One Japanese painting named "The desperate fight of the mini-tank" specifically portrayed Chinese soldiers charging a stalled tank with their bayonets.

The series has received several minor awards after its release, and is ranked 3rd of all television series released in Mainland China during 2009 by various entertainment journals. It was nominated for "Best Screenplay", "Best Director", "Best Leading Actor" and "Gold Award" at the 15th Shanghai Television Festival.