It deals with a tenacious British woman called Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman). This enjoyable picture opens with her determined attempt to enter the missionary service and follows her to strife-torn China in the 30s . Later on , she eventually becomes a missionary and runs an inn for travelling merchants and the thunderous years of China invasion by Japanese forces in 1937 . There she eventually lives a full and happy life : running the inn, acting as "foot inspector", advising the local Mandarin (Robert Donat's last movie) and even winning the heart of mixed-race Captain Lin Nan (Curt Jurgens) . However , she often places herself in dangerous situations where she feels she can provide some good . But Gladys discovers her real destiny when the country is invaded by Japan and the Chinese children need her to save their lives.. Love had suddenly come to her under the China sky...love for this Eurasian soldier who now pressed his earthy, Oriental skin against her own...
A sensitive and agreeable flm set in China during the Japanese invasion , concerning love , religion , battles and sacrifice . Superb interpretation marks this touching biography of China missionary Gladys Aylward , based on real events . Follwing her tumultuous life , wishes , fights , and love during previous years leading up to the Second World War . There are attractive incidents , adventures and perilous situations , such as in negotiating with incarcerated men who have started a prison riot , and with marauding bandits , among others . The highlight of the movie is her cross-crounty adventure as she leads a group of orphans , away from the war zone , as she goes across the mountains along with 100 children to save them from death , being mercilessly harassed and pursued by Japanese military . Ingrid Bergman is top-drawer as the obstinate and sweet missionary . While Robert Donat is especially excellent as a Mandarin Lord , and acceptable Curt Jurgens as a half Chinese/half Caucasian Chinese military officer who chose to live in China since he knew he would always be considered second-class in the western world . Furthermore , other notorious secondaries as Ronald Squire , Tsai Chin of Fumanchu series and Burt Kwouk of Blake Edwards' Pink Panther films.
It contains an impressive musical score by Malcolm Arnold with catching and stirring leitmotif . As well as colorful cinematography by Freddie Young . Filmed on several locations in Llanbedr, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, Penrhyndeudraeth, Snowdonia National Park, Snowdonia, Beddgelert,Capel Curig , Gwynedd, Wales, UK , Westminster City School, Palace Street, Westminster, London, and MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK. The motion picture was well directed by Mark Robson , though overlong . He was a craftsman who in the early 40s was much involved with the low-budget terror unit in charge of producer Val Lewton , for whom made ¨Seventh victim¨, ¨The ghost ship¨, and ¨Island of the dead¨. In the late 1940s Robson joined Stanley Kramer's independent company and directed his biggest commercial hit to date with ¨The champion¨. Years later Robson made another good film about corruption in boxing world titled ¨The harder they fall¨ with Humphrey Bogart. In the late 1960s, his work did decline . And of course , ¨Von Ryan Express¨ was one of his best films ; this one is certainly one of the best movies ever made about the WWII escapes . And his last movie: ¨Avalanche Express¨ turned out to be an unfortunate film in which Robson and his main star , Robert Shaw, died suddenly from heart attacks . Rating : 6.5/10 . A top-notch cast , spectacular set pieces , charming images and high sensibility , all of them make this one a good effort of its kind . The picture will appeal to Ingrid Bergman fans . Well worth watching .
A sensitive and agreeable flm set in China during the Japanese invasion , concerning love , religion , battles and sacrifice . Superb interpretation marks this touching biography of China missionary Gladys Aylward , based on real events . Follwing her tumultuous life , wishes , fights , and love during previous years leading up to the Second World War . There are attractive incidents , adventures and perilous situations , such as in negotiating with incarcerated men who have started a prison riot , and with marauding bandits , among others . The highlight of the movie is her cross-crounty adventure as she leads a group of orphans , away from the war zone , as she goes across the mountains along with 100 children to save them from death , being mercilessly harassed and pursued by Japanese military . Ingrid Bergman is top-drawer as the obstinate and sweet missionary . While Robert Donat is especially excellent as a Mandarin Lord , and acceptable Curt Jurgens as a half Chinese/half Caucasian Chinese military officer who chose to live in China since he knew he would always be considered second-class in the western world . Furthermore , other notorious secondaries as Ronald Squire , Tsai Chin of Fumanchu series and Burt Kwouk of Blake Edwards' Pink Panther films.
It contains an impressive musical score by Malcolm Arnold with catching and stirring leitmotif . As well as colorful cinematography by Freddie Young . Filmed on several locations in Llanbedr, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, Penrhyndeudraeth, Snowdonia National Park, Snowdonia, Beddgelert,Capel Curig , Gwynedd, Wales, UK , Westminster City School, Palace Street, Westminster, London, and MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK. The motion picture was well directed by Mark Robson , though overlong . He was a craftsman who in the early 40s was much involved with the low-budget terror unit in charge of producer Val Lewton , for whom made ¨Seventh victim¨, ¨The ghost ship¨, and ¨Island of the dead¨. In the late 1940s Robson joined Stanley Kramer's independent company and directed his biggest commercial hit to date with ¨The champion¨. Years later Robson made another good film about corruption in boxing world titled ¨The harder they fall¨ with Humphrey Bogart. In the late 1960s, his work did decline . And of course , ¨Von Ryan Express¨ was one of his best films ; this one is certainly one of the best movies ever made about the WWII escapes . And his last movie: ¨Avalanche Express¨ turned out to be an unfortunate film in which Robson and his main star , Robert Shaw, died suddenly from heart attacks . Rating : 6.5/10 . A top-notch cast , spectacular set pieces , charming images and high sensibility , all of them make this one a good effort of its kind . The picture will appeal to Ingrid Bergman fans . Well worth watching .