The Great Wall

The Great Wall Analysis

​🏗️ Monumental Scale: Production Design and Set Construction (Part 14/20)

​Transforming the Historical Landmark
​The sheer scale of The Great Wall as a defensive structure is central to the film's identity, and the production design team faced the monumental task of transforming the actual historical landmark into a believable, functional, high-tech fortress capable of fighting mythological monsters.
​Since filming directly on the historical Wall was restricted, the production team, led by Production Designer John Myhre (an Oscar-winner known for Memoirs of a Geisha and Chicago), undertook the massive effort of building elaborate, full-scale sets in Qingdao, China.
​The Fortress of The Nameless Order
​The film’s central set piece was not just a replica of the Great Wall, but an enhanced, functional military base. Key aspects of the production design include:
​Massive Scale Sets: Large sections of the Wall, including battlements, watchtowers, and internal structures, were meticulously constructed to allow for dynamic, on-set action. These sets needed to accommodate hundreds of actors and practical effects, lending a sense of weight and reality that CGI alone cannot achieve.
​Intricate Internal Mechanisms: The design incorporated the fictional, advanced military technology of The Nameless Order. This included functional mechanisms for the Crane Troop dives, massive siege weapon stations, and intricate internal chambers and tunnels within the wall structure.
​The Color Palette: The design work extended to integrating Zhang Yimou’s signature color scheme, ensuring the grey stone of the wall provided a perfect, imposing backdrop against the bright, specific colors of the five military troops.
​This commitment to monumental, practical set construction was essential in grounding the fantastical monster elements in a tangible, historical-feeling environment, significantly enhancing the visual spectacle of the entire film. The sets themselves became a character in the narrative, embodying the centuries of dedication and sacrifice of the Chinese people.