20th Century Fox
Not part of a collection.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
BACK AGAIN - INGRID BERGMAN in her greatest role
All her life, Englishwoman Gladys Aylward knew that China was where she belonged. Unqualified to be sent as a missionary, Gladys works as a domestic to earn 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. Gladys discovers her real destiny when the country is invaded by Japan and the Chinese children need her to save their lives.
- Original title
- The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US,GB
- Budget
- $3,500,000
- Revenue
- $9,000,000
CinemaSerf
Nov 7, 2022 · via TMDB
Ingrid Bergman is the renowned British missionary Gladys Aylward in this rather lavish - if shallow - biopic of her adventures in China. Forced to raise her £41 train fare by cleaning houses in London, she embarks on her journey with grim determination but no real notion as to what awaits her. Luckily, one of her erstwhile employers "Sir Francis" (Ronald Squire) has furnished her with the name of someone who might be able to help. Soon enough, she is established in the eponymous lodgings offering a place of rest for travellers. The town is run by local mandarin Robert Donat and protected by troops under the command of "Capt. Lin Nan" (Curd Jürgens). Initially she and the Captain don't quite see eye to eye, but gradually he begins to appreciate her skills as a communicator, mediator and generally decent woman. Her interventions generally improve life for all concerned and soon she is well respected by all. The mood soon changes, though, when the Japanese launch an invasion and she must try to ensure that a large group of children make it to safety over some rugged terrain under frequent assault from their pursuing invaders. The story itself is one of heroism and bravery, and is well worth telling - even if it has a slightly condescending colonial tone to it. Sadly though, the talent here just don't work very well at all. Sometimes Bergman could over-act, and here she does it in spades. Her characterisation is only really skin-deep. Donat just doesn't convince at all with his silk clothes and thin moustache and Jürgens... Well what was he thinking? What was director Mark Robson thinking? It's a very long film, and it does drag quite often before the ending gets us to the gist of the remarkable real-life achievements of this strong-willed woman. It is photographed beautifully with some glorious costumes and outdoor settings to set the context for this story well. It's a bit of a slog to watch but on a big screen it still just about works.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Ingrid Bergman
Gladys Aylward
Curd Jürgens
Capt. Lin Nan
Burt Kwouk
Li
Robert Donat
The Mandarin of Yang Cheng
Tsai Chin
Sui-Lan
Richard Wattis
Mr. Murfin
Athene Seyler
Jeannie Lawson
Ronald Squire
Sir Francis Jamison
Joan Young
Sir Francis' cook
Noel Hood
Miss Thompson
Moultrie Kelsall
Dr. Robinson
Edith Sharpe
Secretary at China Inland Mission
Edwina Carroll
—
Freddie Young
Director of Photography
Mark Robson
Director
Buddy Adler
Producer
Malcolm Arnold
Original Music Composer
Isobel Lennart
Screenplay
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Dec 11, 1958
