The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)

A tenacious British woman becomes a missionary and runs an inn for travelling merchants in China during the Japanese invasion and the tumultuous years leading up to the Second World War.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Isobel Lennart (screenplay), Alan Burgess (novel)

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman, Robert Donat, Curd Jürgens

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ingrid Bergman	...	Gladys Aylward
Curd Jürgens	...	Capt. Lin Nan (as Curt Jurgens)
Robert Donat	...	The Mandarin of Yang Cheng
Michael David	...	Hok-A
Athene Seyler	...	Jeannie Lawson
Ronald Squire	...	Sir Francis Jamison
Moultrie Kelsall	...	Dr. Robinson
Richard Wattis	...	Mr. Murfin
Peter Chong	...	Yang
Tsai Chin	...	Sui-Lan
Edith Sharpe	...	Secretary at China Inland Mission
Joan Young	...	Sir Francis' Cook
Lian-Shin Yang	...	Woman with Baby
Noel Hood	...	Miss Thompson (as Noël Hood)
Burt Kwouk	...	Li

Storyline

All her life Englishwoman Gladys Aylward knew that China was the place where she belonged. Not qualified to be sent there as a missionary, Gladys works as a domestic to earn the money to send herself to a poor, remote village. There she eventually lives a full and happy life: running the inn, acting as "foot inspector", advising the local Mandarin. and even winning the heart of mixed-race Captain Lin Nan. But Gladys discovers her real destiny when the country is invaded by Japan and the Chinese children need her to save their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

china | missionary | manipulative female | briton abroad | bare chested male | 

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Taglines:

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...

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Robert Donat. NOTE: He died during its making. In the scene where he is saying goodbye to Gladys as the elders prepare to take their leave of the city, he says as though he was prophesying his death, "I fear we shall never see each other again."

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Goofs

Eagle eyed viewers will see many plants in this film which are not commonly found growing wild in China. The location was partly chosen, because Portmeirion had certain Chinese plants growing near it, such as rhododendrons.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gladys Aylward: My name is Gladys Aylward. I've written to the head of the missionary society. His reply stated that he'd see me if I ever came to London. If he's busy, I can wait.

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Crazy Credits

The opening title card reads: "This story is based upon the life of Gladys Aylward, a woman of our time, who was, and is dedicated to the simple, joyful and rare belief that we are all responsible for each other."

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Connections

Referenced in Savage Harvest 2: October Blood (2006)

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Soundtracks

THE CHILDREN'S MARCHING SONG (THIS OLD MAN)
Traditional (Arranged by Malcolm Arnold)
Sung by Ingrid Bergman and a children's chorus

User Reviews

This is a great movie.

I really liked the old hollywood feel of this movie. NO graphic sex, no graphic language just for the sake of having shock value. This movie pulled you into the characters like a great book and you wanted Gladys to succeed, yet it was not always a sure thing. She is wonderfully flawed in an average way. She has a resilent faith, that enables her to overcome truly epic conditions in a heroic manner. Everyday people with that kind of faith can be heroic. It is a wonderful movie I would love to see transferred to DVD.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Mandarin Russian Cantonese

Release Date:

19 December 1958 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness

Filming Locations:

Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

158 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1