7 Women (1966)

In China in 1935, seven dedicated missionary women try to protect themselves from the advances of a barbaric Mongolian warlord and his cut-throat gang of warriors.

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

Janet Green (screenplay), John McCormick (screenplay)

Stars:

Anne Bancroft, Sue Lyon, Margaret Leighton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anne Bancroft	...	Dr. D.R. Cartwright
Sue Lyon	...	Emma Clark
Margaret Leighton	...	Agatha Andrews
Flora Robson	...	Miss Binns
Mildred Dunnock	...	Jane Argent
Betty Field	...	Florrie Pether
Anna Lee	...	Mrs. Russell
Eddie Albert	...	Charles Pether
Mike Mazurki	...	Tunga Khan
Woody Strode	...	Lean Warrior
Jane Chang	...	Miss Ling
Hans William Lee	...	Kim
H.W. Gim	...	Coolie
Irene Tsu	...	Chinese Girl

Storyline

In a mission in China in 1935, Agatha Andrews is a rigid missionary beset by Mongolian bandits led by Warlord chief Tunga Khan. With her are her assistant Jane Argent, staff members Emma Clark, Miss Russell and Miss Binns, head of the British mission, Charles Pather, a teacher at the mission and his pregnant wife Florrie. When Dr. D.R. Cartwright arrives, she agrees to sacrifice herself to the Tunga Khan in exchange for his letting the ladies go free.

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Plot Keywords:

warlord | female doctor | missionary | china | war refugee | 

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Taglines:

A Story of Flame and Fury, Faith and Fear, Love and Adventure

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin

Release Date:

24 March 1966 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Chinese Finale

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bernard Smith Productions,John Ford Productions,Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Katharine Hepburn turned down a role in the movie.

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Goofs

The hairstyle of Dr. Cartwright is a 1960s fashion that is out of place in 1935.

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Quotes

Dr. D.R. Cartwright: How does it feel to be the only rooster in this hen-house?

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.8 (2011)

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Soundtracks

O Little Town of Bethlehem
(uncredited)
Music by Lewis H. Redner and lyrics by Phillips Brooks
Sung by the women

User Reviews

The final film of a great director that never lost his faith in human nature

John Ford, usually with the reputation of misogynist, directed his last film surrounded by strong female characters and where the male characters are not particularly relevant. The movie is set in China, 1935, where a Civil War is taking place. Anne Bancroft, a female doctor who is also an atheist, says: "I spent years in slum hospitals. I never saw God come down and take care of anyone". Ford, with his catholic roots, allows himself to be pessimistic. Even when Margaret Leighton, a supposed strong believer is confronted by the female doctor, she says: "I've always searched for something that... isn't there. And God is not enough. God help me - He isn't enough".

The title refers to seven women, but the fact is that there are eight: What led us to believe that Anne Bancroft is excluded from the beginning? She wears man's clothes, she smokes and drinks. The loner Bancroft, condemned to always walk alone, like Ethan Edwards in "The Searchers". And what about the final scene, with a rare beauty, where the viewer isn't allowed to watch her fall? She is dressed in woman's clothes for the first time and is prepared to a truly catholic gesture, the sacrifice. "Seven Women" is a beautiful film, almost perfect. Towards the end, we become aware that Mr. Ford will live eternally.