Many of the historical facts were incorrect. Firstly, Hongxi's empress (Grand Empress Dowager) died in 1442 and that was before Zhengtong emperor went to war with the Mongols and got captured in 1449. Jintai emperor was not the son of Empress Hu. In fact Empress Hu died in 1443 and that was before Zhengtong emperor went to fight the Mongols in 1449. In fact Empress Dowager Sun did not have much influence over Zhengtong emperor. It was Grand Empress Dowager that was the regent when he was 7 years when he was enthroned.
The director doesn't seems to understand war tactics used. The use of cavalry and infantry were incorrect. Typical Chinese war movies that made the mistakes of soldiers fighting each other with kungfu scences. The real fact was that they fight in formations supported with artilleries and archers.
A complete friction left with only the actual character names the major event dates that are correct. What a waste with such a distortion.