FIFTY FIVE DAYS AT PEKING
US, 1963, 155 minutes, Colour.
Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, David Niven, Flora Robson, Leo Genn, Robert Helpmann, Kurt Kasnar, Paul Lukas, Harry Andrews.
Directed by Nicholas Ray.
Fifty Five Days at Peking is one of the series of films made by Samuel Bronston in Spain in the early 60's: King of Kings, El Cid, Fall of the Roman Empire, Circus World. The films had huge budgets, big stars, huge sets built in Spain, directors Nicholas Ray and Anthony Mann. Unfortunately, Bronston went bankrupt after making this series.
Fifty-five Days at Peking is very enjoyable, a bit slow moving at times, but good action. It is spectacular history, giving some insight into isolationist China, the pressures of the international powers on China round 1900, the possibilities of surviving a siege.
1. How important were the spectacular elements of this film? How important the political and dramatic theme?
2. How did the opening (and the ending) with the dissonance of the various nations in Peking give an atmosphere to the conflict of the film?
3. China - was its political situation in 1900 explained and shown clearly? Did the narrator's explanation help? Who were the Boxers? Why were they powerful? What sequences illustrate this best? Why did the Empress tolerate them? What were their goals?
4. What were your impressions of the Chinese court, the Empress, the Prince, the General, their styles, belief in China, attitude to European and world powers?
5. Was the European situation in Peking well presented, isolation, power-struggles in homelands, fears?
6. Matt Lewis was central to the film - how were his character and attitudes quickly communicated? American, cavalry, attitude to the Boxers, disturbances in the city, buying the priest? The influence and style of the Americans?
7. Sir Arthur and the English - their power, influence, style? Sir Arthur's diplomacy? Sir Arthur as a person, relationship with his family, his style of entertaining? His advice to Lewis to leave?
8. The Russians in Peking - the Baroness and her place in Peking with the Chinese General? The importance of the incident with the room? Her clashes about the jewellery?
9. The importance in the film of the banquet? The magnificence of Prince Tuan's arrival, the Boxer demonstration for the Europeans? Lewis's humiliation of the Boxers, the applause of the German Minister and Lewis seeing the Prince give the signal for the assassination?
10. Panic in Peking - was this understandable? What could those there do with their responsibilities to their countries?
11. The significance of the visit of Sir Arthur and Lewis to the Empress and the execution of the Boxers?
12. The siege, Sir Arthur's influence and diplomacy - was this wise? How well was the siege prepared for? Were there any real alternatives? Lewis's failure in his mission? How frightening was the siege? The shooting of the boy, the flame throwing machines, the waves of Chinese?
13. What dramatic balance to the film did the orphanage sequences make? Were they sentimental? The girl, the shooting of her father, Lewis's concern, the contribution of the old priest?
14. Why did the Baroness not try to escape? Should she have gone? Was her transformation credible? Her work, her responsibility for the dying man?
15. The character and dedication of the Doctor?
16. Was the plan for blowing up the arsenal a good one? How accurately was it filmed? How strong a blow and humiliation was this for Prince Tuan, especially in view of his military planning clashes with the General?
17. The influence of the Baroness in obtaining medicine? Her death? What had she achieved by the time of her death?
18. How dramatic was the coming of the tower to the siege wall?
19. How tragic was the humiliation of the Empress and China?
20. What attitudes to imperialism and colonialism did the film have? The irony of the dissonance at the end?
