City of Life and Death

Original title: Nanjing! Nanjing!

20092009
RR
2h 13min

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

A dramatization of the rape of Nanking in 1937.

Play trailer1:23

Drama History War

In 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zon... Read allIn 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zone.In 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zone.

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 17 wins & 13 nominations

Videos1

City of Life and Death

City of Life and Death

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

John Paisley and Wei Fan in Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Ryu Kohata in Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Lan Qin in Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)

Ji jie hao

7.3

John Rabe

7.2

Mountain Patrol

7.6

Mountain Patrol

The Flowers of War

7.6

The Flowers of War

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

8.0

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

Nanking

7.6

Devils on the Doorstep

8.2

Devils on the Doorstep

My Way

7.7

Nanjing 1937

5.3

To Live

8.3

The Message

7.3

Red Cliff II

7.6

In 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zone.

chinese history japanese occupation of china japanese occupation japanese flag chinese army 225 more

Genres
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for wartime violence and atrocities including sexual assault, and for some sexuality and brief nudity
Parents guide

Trivia
Witnesses at the time said at least 20,000 women were raped and there were widespread reports of other atrocities. Among the most notorious--which was not shown in the film--was a "contest" between two Japanese officers, Lt. Toshiaki Mukai and Lt. Tsuyochi Noda, to see who could behead the most prisoners in a given amount of time. Captured Chinese soldiers were lined up and each officer used his ceremonial sword to behead them. The final "score" was Mukai 106, Noda 105. The event was covered extensively in Japanese newspapers at the time, complete with photos of the two. After the war, they were captured, tried and executed.

Goofs
After Rabe leaves Nanjin, there is a scene showing the execution of 3 Chinese men tied to posts. After the execution, when the man on the right post is untied and his body laid on the ground by guards, one can clearly see the actor lowering his head down slowly on the ground. The head of a dead body would have dropped more massively.

Top review

8/10

Unflinching, Painful and Without Apologies

It is said that evil can only manifest itself when we do nothing to stop it. When we simply allow for it to happen whether in our lives or in the lives of others. The Japanese soldiers who invaded Nanking justified their horrific acts by claiming pride and duty towards their beloved country. Barbaric and without mercy, these troops of doom descended upon the city like the worst nightmare ever conjured by humans. Imagine an army of serial killers and rapists wreaking havoc without being reined in and you'll get an idea. Kudos and hats off to the director for having the courage to bring this shameful blemish in world history to life. Unflinching, painful and without apologies.

helpful•28

7

OneMinuteFilmReview
Aug 18, 2009

Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $122,558
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,610
- May 15, 2011
Gross worldwide
- $10,687,316

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 13min
Color
- Black and White
Sound mix
- Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1

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Top Gap

What is the French language plot outline for Nanjing! Nanjing! (2009)?

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