55 Days In Peking
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No expense was spared in turning some plains
in Spain into the setting for 55 Days In Peking. Although producer Sam Bronston and director Nicholas Ray, and Ray's replacement directors Andrew Marton and Guy Green, made no pretense of being historically accurate in their presentation of the facts, they did use their sizeable $17
million budget to create an elaborate setting for their romanticized version of
the Boxer Rebellion in Peking during the summer of 1900. The general outline
of the historical events is followed within the context of a love affair between US Major
Matt Lewis (Charlton Heston) and Russian Baroness Natalie Ivanoff (Ava
Gardner). As the violent nationalism of The Boxers goes unchecked by the
Ching Court and Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi (Flora Robson), the foreign
contingent finds itself under siege in its vulnerable compound. The
Boxers' initial attacks are met bravely by a odd assortment of American,
British and German troops. But defeat is inevitable.. or so it seems.
Helping to steady the resolve in the beleaguered compound is the British
Ambassador Sir Arthur Robertson (David Niven). But his efforts at
diplomacy are undercut by the political maneuverings of Prince Tuan (Robert
Helpmann) who serves as the Dowager's advisor. As the situation grows more
hopeless, the brave Major Lewis refuses to give up. His determination to
prevail against all odds attracts the Baroness's respect and developing
love. The costumes, elaborate battle scenes and award-winning musical
score (Dimitri Tiomkin) easily draw the viewer through the 159 minutes.
If you enjoy an old-fashioned epic of war and love in an
exotic locale with a cast of thousands and several Hollywood
luminaries, then this may be just your cup of tea. However those folks who prefer their history free of obvious fantasy, may find something more to their liking at a library.
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