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55 Days at Peking (1962)

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From Time Out Film Guide

From its marvellous opening - in the Legation compound at Peking, the troops of eight foreign powers raise their national flags to the accompaniment of a cacophony of national anthems - to the final relief of the diplomats to whom the Boxers have laid siege in the compound, Ray almost transcends the spectacular world of international co-production film deals. He carefully orchestrates the big action sequences (the sine qua non of the Epic) so that they form a mere background to the unfolding drama of the awkward love affair between Heston and Gardner. The result, Ray's farewell to Hollywood, is admittedly a broken-backed movie - producer Samuel Bronston re-cut it - but one full of delicious moments as Ray's camera cranes and swoops around his protagonists, almost taking us back to the nervous grandeur of Johnny Guitar on occasion. A magnificent failure.

Author: PH

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

Paul Bidds said...

Posted on Jun 16 2008 21:55 I get really confused with peoples comments. Its a film, action movie, Enjoyable romp . Who cares if its right wrong whatever. if yoyu want to know what happened read a history book. I go to cinema to enjoy a movie. this i enjoyed alot. Old style big budget good action scenes..... story is different , held back in my opinion by the love story. Typical Heston character , but i like this type of film. hOWEVER all said done its better than watching a modern drab movie.... good entertainment which is why Indiana does so well..escapeism. As for the official revue... dont agree , thought it was well acted for the time, by todays standards a little wooden but NIven was great.

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Madam Miaow said...

Posted on Feb 03 2008 02:33 Imperialist, jingoist ponderous crap harking back to the glory days of Empire.

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