The Children of Huang Shi (2008)

30% of critics liked it
(76 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(69,519 ratings)

As China is ravaged by war in the late '30s, a young English journalist named George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) leads 60 orphans over the Liu Pan Shan mountains and into the safety of the Mongolian desert. Joining the journalist and the children on their arduous journey are an American nurse (Radha… More As China is ravaged by war in the late '30s, a young English journalist named George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) leads 60 orphans over the Liu Pan Shan mountains and into the safety of the Mongolian desert. Joining the journalist and the children on their arduous journey are an American nurse (Radha Mitchell) and the fearless leader of a Chinese partisan group (Chow Yun-Fat). The journey won't be easy, but as they boldly forge forward through snow-covered mountains and unforgiving desert, they learn the true meaning of responsibility, courage, and love. Jane Hawksley pens a drama based on actual events and directed by renowned filmmaker Roger Spottiswoode. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Roger Spottiswoode
Written By: James MacManus, Jane Hawksley
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 23, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2009
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
It radiates intelligence. Of how many historical epics can that be said these days?
John Anderson, Newsday
It is, however, such a spectacular-looking movie, as shot by cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding that it is, to use that old cliche, worth the price of admission.
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
Very pretty but very stiffly written, The Children of Huang Shi strives for epic canvases relaying an intimate story.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Though there are some powerful performances, notably those of Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat, and some sweeping visuals, the movie feels melodramatic and overheated.
Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times
If you can get past the Eurocentric focus, there are worse ways to pass the time than to see The Children of Huang Shi, if only because the glimpse into the time and place are captivating and the images are gorgeous.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Perhaps it would have been wise for the director, Roger Spottiswoode, to make more efficient use of Chow Yun-fat, who shows up now and then as a resistance fighter.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A disappointingly detached and tame film for such a subject matter.
Todd Gilchrist, H Magazine
...the film falls flat under the weight of its period-drama conventions and three performances that epitomize paycheck joylessness.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Breathtaking photography, but Hollywood's view of history as usual, no matter where on the planet, as mere backdrop for the personal lives of glamorous white people. Casablanca meets the white man's burden, and doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
Nora Lee Mandel, Film-Forward.com
Cynicism for another true story of a reckless white adventurer finding redemption and purpose helping 3rd World unfortunates evaporates with stunning and moving WWII scenes.
David D'Arcy, Screen International
The real test of endurance is on the shoulders of an audience challenged to sit through more than two hours of predictable plot turns and recycled sentimentality.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

This film based on a true events of an English reporter who saved Chinese orphan boys from the Japanese invasion in the 1930s is meaning of love, accountability and bravery. That also happened the same story of escaping and trekking over the mountains in 1958's <i>The Inn… More
This film based on a true events of an English reporter who saved Chinese orphan boys from the Japanese invasion in the 1930s is meaning of love, accountability and bravery. That also happened the same story of escaping and trekking over the mountains in 1958's <i>The Inn of the Sixth Happiness</i> starring Ingrid Bergman as English servant girl Gladys Aylward.
Walter M

"The Children of Huang Shi" starts in 1937 Shanghai as journalist George Hogg(Jonathan Rhys Meyers) tricks his way into the war zone of Nanjing by pretending to be an ambulance driver. While there, he witnesses a civilian massacre, is captured by the Japanese and is almost… More
"The Children of Huang Shi" starts in 1937 Shanghai as journalist George Hogg(Jonathan Rhys Meyers) tricks his way into the war zone of Nanjing by pretending to be an ambulance driver. While there, he witnesses a civilian massacre, is captured by the Japanese and is almost beheaded before being rescued at the last second by Communist insurgents, led by Chen Hansheng(Chow Yun-Fat). Hogg's two compatriots are not so lucky and Chen and Hogg have another tight escape before Chen spirits Hogg away to an orphanage for safekeeping. And again, Hogg needs rescuing, this time from a beatdown by the kids, by Lee Pearson(Radha Mitchell), an expatriate nurse who has been in country for five years and the closest thing to a doctor for miles around. Based on a true story, "The Children of Huang Shi" is an enticing and beautifully photographed epic that is not without its share of flaws. There are pacing issues and it could have been longer but I like how it ends. On the plus side, the film goes beyond the old fashioned trappings with little complexities, especially with the children being more troubled than cute. The complicated political realities of the time are captured perfectly with the Nationalists and the Communists both fighting the Japanese but can never overcome their political differences to totally trust each other. However, Chen risks his life to rescue trapped Nationalist soldiers at one point. "The Children of Huang Shi" is not a war movie about combat, but about knowing when to fight and choose your battles, so it is okay to escape in one piece. There is no reason to be heroic if you are dead. Even then, any survivors will remain forever changed by the experience and probably not for the better. Chen was an engineer and now he blows up buildings to ensure the Japanese do not recover valuable information.(At least, somebody enjoys their job.) Along the way, Hogg learns that the best way to conquer the world is through kindness.
Chihoe H

It has a great backstory and the makings of an epic film, but somehow fell short. The acting felt forced and abrupt, but there were glimpses of what it could have been.
Juli R

Beautiful to look at. KIlled by melodramatic script.
Daisy M

The children of Huang Shi was a true story of George Hogg's life and his gift to humanity during the invasion of Japan in China.George Hogg played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers was a journalist assigned to Shanghai in 1937. He wanted to go to Nanjing where he managed to enter as a Red… More
The children of Huang Shi was a true story of George Hogg's life and his gift to humanity during the invasion of Japan in China.George Hogg played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers was a journalist assigned to Shanghai in 1937. He wanted to go to Nanjing where he managed to enter as a Red Cross worker and photographed the mass murders of the people of Nanjing by the hands of the Japanese. He was captured by the Japanese, tortured and saved by a Chinese Nationalist Chen played by Chow Yun-Fat. He send him to a village of children Huang Shi where it turned to be an orphanage without a leader.The movie did not leave me very satisfied,but it deserved a recommendation,it was not boring, the performances were decent and the direction was good.
Leo L

Here is an interesting movie about compassion, love, and honor. This follows one man?s journey into capturing firsthand the torments and reality of a war-stricken country in the brink of 1930?s China. Hogg is a young journalist whom believes that getting the inside scoop will lead to… More
Here is an interesting movie about compassion, love, and honor. This follows one man?s journey into capturing firsthand the torments and reality of a war-stricken country in the brink of 1930?s China. Hogg is a young journalist whom believes that getting the inside scoop will lead to quick success, and high recognition but when experiences teach him another perspective. He begins to realize that it is more than just doing the job that he is capable of, but to express his inner self clearly and to embrace humanity, or lack of. Great cast- Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun Fat, and Michelle Yeoh. Worth seeing!
Nikki M

This was a very interesting piece of Chinese history, very well done.
Robert F

I'm awarding this film high marks mainly for its technical achievements. The cinematography was excellent, and the locations used were majestic. The music was also beautiful, and if there were a soundtrack ever released, I'd definitely buy it. It's a shame that this… More
I'm awarding this film high marks mainly for its technical achievements. The cinematography was excellent, and the locations used were majestic. The music was also beautiful, and if there were a soundtrack ever released, I'd definitely buy it. It's a shame that this technical brilliance was undercut somewhat by stilted performances and heavy-handed direction. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers was miscast in the lead role, but hell, it's not like he's an eye-sore or anything, so I got over that. But the accents were pretty bad - Rahda Mitchell's in particular, who spoke with a scattered mix of American, British, and Australian all at once. Some of the delivery was cringe-worthy also - it was like listening to the voice acting done for a cartoon show: all the meaning and emotion was put into the words and little attention was given to facial expression or body language. Having said this, the film did become overly saccharine at times, so maybe any actor would have found the dialogue undeliverable. Still, it seems unfair to harshly penalise the film for all this when it succeeded so well in other areas, so I'm giving it four stars.
Anthony V

A bit slow, but a touching story and great cast compensate. "Don't Cry Nanking" has a better portrayal of the horrors of Nanking, though.