the audience applauded

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

55 DAYS AT PEKING is one of those all-star Hollywood historical adventure films made during the 1960s. It stars Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner as two of a huge cast of Western characters who are caught up in the 1900 Boxer Rebellion in China. This saw ordinary folk rise up at the behest of the Boxer revolutionaries in a tide of anti-Western sentiment to get rid of all the country's foreigners. The story is distracted by some 'yellow face' make up here and there but otherwise works well in terms of an epic-feeling setting and plenty of lavish action scenes which delight in an old-fashioned way. The ensemble cast contains at least 20 actors of note from the era and most of them give fun, straightforward performances. It's not a classic nor one of Heston's best movies, but at the same time it's not bad at all and I enjoyed it for the spectacle alone.

This is an epic in the truest sense of the word and perhaps even serves to define that term cinematically. It is indeed true motion picture greatness at its very greatest. With spectacular set-piece battle scenes, awesome in their scope, breathtaking in their vastness, it describes the pride and fury of the siege of the Peking Legation Quarter by the Boxers, when the fate of Western interests and destiny of China itself hung precariously in the balance. The lives of hundreds were at risk as rampaging, savage mobs of Boxers in their fanatic opium fed fever relentlessly attacked and attacked and attacked without mercy. In fact, it was a time when mercy had no meaning to those who vied to slaughter the innocents within the legation quarter and destroy all the modern progress they had shared with the Chinese people. The tension builds to a fever pitch of excitement simply unprecedented in film history and although not completely accurate historically, it is a strong metaphor for the existing risk to Western civilization during the height of the Cold War. Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and David Niven are at the apex of their super-star powers and lead a superb cast that includes a literal "cast of thousands." Superbly filmed and directed by Nicholas Ray, with beautiful photography, costumes, and sets that are nothing less than magnificent. The score by Dimitri Tiomkin is deeply moving and inspiring in its symphonic splendor, music that only he could compose. The screenplay by the gifted Philip Yordan, fills the screen with personal stories as accents to the grandeur, the people who lived this historic moment bringing the tale alive as we share their terror filled days, weeks of courage, and passion filled nights, destiny unfolding around them. Incredibly based upon true-life characters that participated in the ultimate victory won by the International relief column of multinational troops that was to eventually save the besieged from the Boxer blades, it is a triumphant story that cried out to be told and deserved to be depicted by the most talented actors, artists, and technicians available at the time. The vision of one of the most visionary producers in motion pictures, the legendary Samuel Bronston, was realized in this masterpiece with epic power yet tremendous intimacy. With widescreen scope and rich color unlike anything seen today, this is one of the most stirring, stunning, and passionate adventures ever filmed and is not to be missed by anyone interested in cinema greatness. Gripping, overwhelming, and unforgettable!

I was happy to see this film since it was about the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. To put it in perspective, in the 19th century, various European powers began forcing their way into China--literally threatening the weak Chinese to accept their presence or else! The lowest point was the Opium War where the British forced the Chinese to accept opium into their nation as payment for their goods. The government, for some odd reason, didn't want to see all their people become drug addicts but had to relent when the British massacred the Chinese army and navy. Following this war, EVERYBODY seemed to flood into China--Russians, Germans, Austrians, Americans, Belgians, French and even the Japanese (who'd only recently opened up to the West). All of them carved out sections of China (such as Hong Kong and Macao as well as foreign enclaves in the major cities)--further weakening the Imperial authority. And the Emperor could do nothing or face the further reprisals of these countries.With the Boxer Rebellion, the Chinese government was in an advantageous position. When these peasants rebelled, the Empress claimed that the Chinese army was NOT responsible for this anti-foreigner uprising--it was 'the people'. It was ironic, because since the government had been terribly weakened by these foreign powers, the Empress said she was thereby unable to stop these people--all the while encouraging the rebels on the side. Across the countryside, foreigners (especially missionaries) were slaughtered--and the weak Empire suddenly became stronger. This film finds the foreign section in Peking surrounded by the Boxers--and certain death seems likely. It's based on actual events, though most of the names have been changed.The foreigners represented several nations and are made up of mostly British and American actors (such as Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner and David Niven). Now here is the interesting part. Since Communist China wasn't about to open up to foreign movie companies (especially when the Boxers' views on colonialism were identical with the Peoples Republic's views), the film had to be made somewhere else. And so, this saga about China was actually filmed in Spain! How they were able to get all these Asian-looking extras is pretty funny (see the IMDb trivia)! Although I must admit, the sets were quite impressive--though I wondered why they didn't film it in Taiwan.So is it any good? Well, yes and no. The fight sequences are nice and I loved seeing this war dramatized. But on the other hand, the film does seem to be a bit overly long and had one serious problem--changing times. This film does not age well, as the world's views on colonialism have changed. In 1963, the world was changing--French and British colonies were gaining their independence right and left. But films STILL had a bias towards colonialism and expected audiences to root for countries that were occupying land abroad. Today, however, I would think a very, very high percentage of the viewers would sympathize with and/or root for the Boxers. They wanted their nation back--and an end to enforced contact with the outside world. Unfortunately, killing ALL foreigners (including children) ultimately just brought on significant reprisals.Another thing that doesn't age well is seeing the main Chinese characters all played by folks who clearly AREN'T Asian. Today, the notion of having Brits like Flora Robson and Leo Genn play Chinese people is pretty nasty and paternalistic. Of course, seeing Johnny Depp playing Tonto in the upcoming "The Lone Ranger" isn't exactly enlightened! So, I guess some things never change! Overall, the film is moderately interesting and worth seeing from a historical perspective. However, I'd really love to see it remade in China and showing BOTH sides of the issue and having actors playing the correct ethnic groups! Until this happens, this film is all we've got and is worth a look--provided you think it's worth 156 minutes of your life when the film is only fair to middling.

Samuel Bronston film impresario extraordinaire built a replica of Peking (aka as Beijing) on the outskirts of Madrid and filmed this exciting film. Allied Artists was a small boutique studio that produced such films as Love In The Afternoon, El Cid, Friendly Persuasion, Soldier In The Rain, and even an Elvis Presley movie Tickle Me and scored triumphs with Papillion and Cabaret. Directors such as John Huston,William Wyler, Bob Fosse, and Billy Wilder worked at AA as well as stars such Sophia Loren, Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Steve McQueen, Liza Minnelli and William Holden. Allied Artists studio had a big hit with 55 Days At Peking which recounts the Boxer Rebellion in China. Charlton Heston is stalwart and manly as always and Ava Gardner as the female lead is gorgeous to the camera.( Mr.Heston would remark in his book that only Ava Gardner could stay out all night and party and look more beautiful in the morning than ever) David Niven lends fine support. I highly recommend this exciting film.