Inn of the Sixth Happiness: Film Review
2007-02-25 03:47 PM | Posted by Tejvan Pettinger | Permanent Link | good films
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Based on a true story of Gladys Aylward, this Oscar winning film tells the story of how one woman was inspired to leave the comforts of England to travel to China to work as a missionary. In China she sets up an inn for tired hungry mule drivers, where she gets an opportunity to share stories from the Bible. Gradually overcoming the hostility and suspicion of the locals she wins the heart of Army colonel (Curt Jurgens), she also impresses the powerful local mandarin (Robert Donat). Her finest hour comes during the Japanese invasion where she escorted 100 orphan children to safety.
The script is very well written. It is both sharp, witty and powerful. It is helped by superb acting. Ingrid Bergman (playing Gladys Aylward) expresses both courage and determination with a genuine compassion. Robert Dunat who plays the local Mandarin gives a masterful performance of a smooth political operator who becomes taken by the charm and faith of the western missionary. He portrays a fascinating character with real depth. The final scene in which he pays tribute to Gladys for her sacrifices in China is profoundly moving. Peter Chong also gives a delightful cameo as Yang the Chinese cook, giving a lightness and humour to the film.
The film is a real epic the story is finely balanced with many different episodes within the film. If you find the start a little slow it is worth persevering as it becomes more absorbing as events unfold, especially against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion. Also if you dislike the idea of a film about Christian missionaries, you should not let this put you off. Her Christianity is understated, she actually says at one point “I just wishe people to have faith in themselves whatever their religion.” (quote is unofficial from memory)
If I had one criticism, I would say the final escape through the mountains, drags on a little. True the mountain scenery is breathtaking (it was actually filmed in Snowdonia, Wales) but sometimes there was too much time where not much happened. However this is only to pick at the edges of what is a really excellent and uplifting film.
Although the plot seems at times a little far fetched it is quite closely based on the true story of Gladys Aylward. As with most films there are some differences. For example on reaching safety, Gladys promptly collapsed from Typhoid fever and was seriously ill for several days. During the war she often lived behind enemy lines and would pass on messages about Japanese troop movements. She returned to England in 1947 to receive much needed medical treatment.
The film is Based on the book: “The Small Woman” by Alan Burgess
- See other Spiritual Films
- Gladys Aylward
- Inn of the Sixth Happiness at Amazon.com
- Inn of Sixth Happiness at Amazon.co.uk
