{"id":85006,"date":"2022-06-24T15:08:03","date_gmt":"2022-06-24T22:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85006"},"modified":"2022-08-15T19:50:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T02:50:20","slug":"55-days-at-peking-1963","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85006","title":{"rendered":"55 Days at Peking (1963)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;You must not conclude that all Boxers are bandits; most of them are harmless vagabonds.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-85007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster-85x128.png 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster-180x270.png 180w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Poster.png 551w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Boxer_Rebellion\">Boxer Rebellion<\/a> of 1900 &#8212; under the rule of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Empress_Dowager_Cixi\">Chinese Dowager Empress Cixi<\/a> (Flora Robson) &#8212; an American major (Charlton Heston) falls for a widowed Russian aristocrat (Ava Gardner) while supporting a British ambassador (David Niven) in keeping foreign legion members safe throughout a deadly siege.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ava Gardner Films<\/li>\n<li>Charlton Heston Films<\/li>\n<li>China<\/li>\n<li>David Niven Films<\/li>\n<li>Flora Robson Films<\/li>\n<li>Harry Andrews Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>John Ireland Films <\/li>\n<li>Leo Genn Films<\/li>\n<li>Nicholas Ray Films<\/li>\n<li>Paul Lukas Films<\/li>\n<li>Revolutionaries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nNicholas Ray&#8217;s final major film &#8212; after directing the Biblical epic <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5597\"><em>King of Kings<\/em> (1961)<\/a> &#8212; was this large-scale historical drama (produced by Samuel Bronston) taking place in turn-of-the-century China and depicting a highly consequential if under-discussed moment in East Asian global politics. Unfortunately, while the film does an excellent job in its earliest scenes at showing us the impact of western imperialism on China: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Orchestra.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; the Chinese themselves quickly become merely supporting characters in a drama focused on the well-being of the colonizers. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Legion.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To that end, Niven is well cast as an unflappable British ambassador whose decision to stay, fight back, and wait for reinforcements from the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eight-Nation_Alliance\">Eight Nation Alliance<\/a> not only puts his own young family at risk, but goes against the sentiment of most others on the compound, who simply want to flee. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Niven.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Among these are Gardner&#8217;s Baroness Natasha Ivanova, whose earlier role in the suicide of her husband has left her ostracized by her social circle: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Gardner.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and who undergoes an unrealistic change of heart over the course of the film, particularly when joining forces with an over-worked doctor (Paul Lukas). Meanwhile, Flora Robson is nearly unrecognizable playing yet another regal character on-screen: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Robson.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and odd character-actor Robert Helpmann plays yet another <em>odd character<\/em> (check out those fingernails!). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Helpmann.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While this movie centers on an intriguing moment in world history, it&#8217;s ultimately too Euro-focused  (and too battle-heavy) to remain of interest for its lengthy running time &#8212; and speaking of battles, there&#8217;s enough diverse weaponry on display and in use here to merit this film a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imfdb.org\/wiki\/55_Days_at_Peking\">spot on the IMFDb<\/a> (the &#8220;F&#8221; stands for &#8220;firearms&#8221;). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Battle.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine historical sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sets.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Beautiful cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise-592x270.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/55-Days-at-Peking-Sunrise.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s definitely worth a one-time look. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0056800\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s4712peki.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/4565\/55-days-at-peking#articles-reviews?articleId=276612\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=12902&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;You must not conclude that all Boxers are bandits; most of them are harmless vagabonds.&#8221; Synopsis: During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 &#8212; under the rule of Chinese Dowager Empress Cixi (Flora Robson) &#8212; an American major (Charlton Heston) falls for a widowed Russian aristocrat (Ava Gardner) while supporting a British ambassador (David Niven) in keeping foreign legion members safe throughout a deadly siege. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Ava Gardner Films Charlton Heston Films China David Niven Films Flora&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85006\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85006","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85006"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85006\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86203,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85006\/revisions\/86203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85006"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85006"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85006"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}