18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful film except for...., February 24, 2006
I would have given this film 5 stars, but what is disturbing is that the claims that it was based on a true story are only partly true. Yes, the film was based on the true story of Zhu De's daughter Zhu Min, who went to the Soviet International Children's School at the age of 14. The film crew had contacted her and obtained her consent when making the film. But the most horrific and most unforgettable part was fictional (and there's the rub). Moreover, her father, Zhu De was not executed in China as a communist before the war. He became an important military figure and later leader in the government. (1954-59) as deputy chairman of the People's Republic of China. He was chairman of the National People's Congress (1959 -67), Communist China's major legislative body, until denounced during the Cultural Revolution . He was restored to his posts in 1971 and died in 1976. From what I understand, it is not unusual in China to call a story "true," despite the facts.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely not a "1 star" film, February 5, 2000
By A Customer
I almost missed this movies because the strong and negative review from the other Amazon reader. I am glad I took the risk and bough this DVD. It is not a bad film if we put aside our political view point and watch the movies calmly and fairly. Chinese or Russian are entitled to tell their stories from their point of view too.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The horrors of war and the real scars that will last forever, October 30, 2004
This 1995 Chinese film is based on actual accounts of WW2 survivors and is a testament to the horrors of war. It opens in 1940 when a young Chinese boy and girl are sent to a Russian school. There is a civil war going on in China and their parents have killed by the Nationalists. They are welcomed by their Russian comrades and the first half hour of the film is about their idyllic existence with kind teachers and an atmosphere of acceptance and learning. We see the youngsters enjoying childhood pranks and we smile at their antics.
Then the world suddenly changes. The Nazis invade Russia. And the children of the school become the victims of abject cruelty. Some of them are murdered, all of them are starving and there are moments of heroism as well as horror. The two Chinese children suffer, as do the Russians. The boy becomes a street urchin and eventually he performs some courageous acts against the enemy. The girl works as a virtual slave in a monastery that has been taken over by the Nazis. The commander sees himself as an artist and forces her to have an ugly tattoo glorifying the nazi regime on her back. When the Nazis are defeated she suffers the emotional shame of this.
This film has won many accolades including an Oscar nomination. I add my own accolades. It is beautifully photographed, well paced and horrifying to watch the innocence of the children despoiled. I wanted to hug the children and save them all. I felt their hunger and their shame and their will to survive. I applauded the small acts of heroism. And I wanted to reach out my arms and save these children.
This film is not for everyone. The war is depicted in gruesome reality. And even after the war ends, we understand that its scars will last forever.
Highly recommended, but be prepared to be upset by its theme.
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