The Flowers Of War

4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (224 customer reviews)
From internationally celebrated director Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, Hero, House Of Flying Daggers) comes a story of love and war.
  • Starring: Christian Bale, Ni Ni
  • Directed by: Zhang Yimou
  • Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes
  • Release year: 2012
  • Studio: Lionsgate
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The Flowers Of War

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Product Details
Synopsis: From internationally celebrated director Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, Hero, House Of Flying Daggers) comes a story of love and war.
Starring: Christian Bale, Ni Ni
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Genre: Drama, History, War
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence including a sexual assault, disturbing images, and brief strong language
ASIN: B008JAG9O4
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Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period. Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: July 10, 2012
  • MPAA: Rated R for strong violence including a sexual assault, disturbing images, and brief strong language
  • Production Company: Beijing New Picture Film Co., EDKO Film, New Picture Company
  • Also Known As 13 Flowers of Nanjing

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
(224)
4.4 out of 5 stars
See all 224 customer reviews
“ Very emotional movie with great acting. ” Barbara J. Hart  |  38 reviewers made a similar statement
“ Beautifully acted, directed, filmed, everything. ” DMWSeattle  |  34 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
89 of 99 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Movie January 12, 2012
By J. Keating
Format:DVD
I will not be a reviewer that drops the whole story on you! I really don't like that, as I think any movie should be judged by the viewer. That being said, This is a movie you must see for yourself! The story does start with a bit of the American cliche on Christian Bale's character, however, after that the story is so very good.

This movie effectively embraces and conveys so many human virtues and flaws in a way I think so many could relate to, and it is beautifully told. This movie is brutal at times and yet delves into the deepest parts of our souls.

The story itself is narrated from the viewpoint of a young Chinese girl involved in what happened. Without giving anything away the set-up is an American mortician is summoned to a Cathedral in Nanking in 1937 (the Rape of Nanking) he poses as a priest in charge of a group of convent schoolgirls, a group of Chinese prostitutes arrive, then the Japanese. No one here is perfect, nor is anyone evil, they are human and behave as such. Some die, all squabble, all want out of the city, sacrifices are made.

The acting is flawless on all parts, the story beautifully told. I guarantee, there will not be a dry eye in the house at the end!

To see a movie this good is a rare gift, embrace it!

Easily, one of the best movies I've ever seen. If you're a fan of Kurosawa, it's up there with his directing.
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42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Atrocities of War January 27, 2012
By Jay B. Lane
Format:DVD
If you've read Iris Chang's non-fiction book "The Rape of Nanking" you have some idea of what horrors to expect. As we know, in 1937 the Japanese invaded China; after conquering Shanghai, they turned their attention to the capitol, Nanking. The result was the slaughter of over 200,000 people.

In this movie, based on the novel by Galing Yan ("Xiu Xiu, the Sent-Down Girl"), we have a fictionalized story in this chaotic setting. We are in a church compound where two groups seek shelter: the first, a dozen convent girls fleeing Japanese soldiers, and the second, a gaggle of "working girls" from a prominent brothel who throw their suitcases over the wall and demand sanctuary. A drunk but frightened Western mortician has come to prepare a priest for burial, and our story begins.....

These were the few actors I could pick out of the cast:
* Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight") is the mortician, boozy and rude; Bale seems to enjoy playing a crude American who laughs in the face of their predicament. He first puts on a priest's robe to avoid Japanese bullets, but by the time he has to bury some of their little group, he isn't quite so blithe.
* Paul Schneider ("Water for Elephants") in a cameo as another American fleeing the massacre, is incredulous that our hero is choosing to stay and try to help his charges escape the city.
* Ni Ni in her screen debut is the lovely self-appointed leader of the prostitutes. None of the women like the "big-nosed" Occidental, but a job is a job.
* Xinyi Zhang ("Love is not Blind") becomes, by default, the leader of the convent girls. She is observant, multi-lingual and expects her father to help them escape.... Read more ›
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Tragedy meets Beauty July 11, 2012
By Joseph Cole
Format:Blu-ray
I am a huge Christian Bale fan and have been before his mega Blockbusters and Academy Award. To put this out there now I would classify this as a Foreign Film with a great British Actor as the focal point. To be fair this is more of a survival movie than a war movie.It also has some intense scenes with violence directed at females so if that makes you squeamish, I would still recommend the movie, however turn away from said scenes.

This story does not try to overdo itself like many American Films that blow war movies out of proportion. It is not involved with an absurd love story, however hints at it. I cannot compare it to any movie I have seen because it is unlike any other I have viewed and really tugs at your heart strings. The musical score compliments the themes and atmosphere perfectly, with children's choir music to sad traditional Chinese music. The acting in this movie is great! Like many who see this movie, they probably will not identify any of the actors/actresses other than Christian Bale and everyone balances each other out perfectly. (Meaning it isn't one great actor surrounded by bad performances.) Character development in my opinion has the perfect amount. Not delving too far into one particular character, however leaving enough for you to feel connected with the individuals to "feel" for them as individuals.

I will not spoil this movie. I will tell you it is lengthy however it did not seem lengthy while watching it. (Sign of an enjoyable movie) For those who like a good survival movie, sprinkled with different forms of love, war themes, and change of heart stories, Definitely worth the watch!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Ignore the harsh critics, this fantastic film is a must see... August 12, 2012
By brainsickhorror .com
Format:Blu-ray
What's it about?

Christian Bale finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety.

Is it any good?

When it comes to watching films, immediately my expectation changes upon hearing the cast and the director of a film. Therefore, using that logic I expected a film with Christian Bale by Yimou Zhang to be great...and I was not disappointed. The film is primarily shot in a church compound, so don't expect grand war scenes on the scale of `Hero'. Instead, we are treated to some top-notch acting and magnificent storytelling regarding one of the most awful periods of Chinese History. The film is startling in its unrelenting and unflinching accounts of brutality, and also beautiful in the courage displayed by the women with whom the film centres around. Considering the 146 minute run time, the pacing of the film does drag at points, but those who stick with it, should find themselves engrossed from its spectacular beginning, all the way through to its emotionally charged ending.

Best bit?

Although not a war film per se, the scenes which do feature battles are as realistic and intense as they come.

Did you know?

One challenging aspect in making the film, was what Zhang called the "very slow pace" of negotiation with the Chinese censorship authorities during the editing process.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Film
This film is based an atrocious part of Asian history; that was challenging to take in while watching the film. The acting was excellent. The action kept me on my toes. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Vyctorya
5.0 out of 5 stars Edge of seat story
Really good story line based on true story. The battle scenes were very realistic and gave you a real sense of the dread the victims felt about the Japanese invaders. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Audiophile
4.0 out of 5 stars Flowers of War
Great movie. The Japanese were very brutal. Very one-sided story. Where were the Chinese military in all of this? Good acting.
Published 14 days ago by Anne T. Doyle
5.0 out of 5 stars A surprise!
Got this movie because I am a Christian Bale fan, and never heard of it before. Thought I made a mistake with the subtitles that appear in the beginning, but then figured that... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Victoria
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
This was an outstanding movie depicting a side of the Japanese War I was unaware of. The actors did an excellent job in their roles and I would highly recommend this to people... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Darla Day
5.0 out of 5 stars A gritty, action-packed war story with a lot of heart
The Flowers of War centers around a girls' convent (school) as the town is under siege in the war between China and Japan. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ReadingGranny
4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome movie
Loved this movie, a real look at what happened back then. My grandpa was a guerrilla fighter and a good sniper in the Sino-Japanese war in WW2, fight against the jabs. Read more
Published 1 month ago by PPP
5.0 out of 5 stars Flowers of War- Rape of Nanking
This was an excellent film that covered the massacre of Nanking-- when the Japanese came & ravaged this city around 1937. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robin V. Schenck
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth watching for sure
Very predictable, but not popular with Japan because of its truthful treatment of the rape of Nanking
during WWII. This story is in no way an exaggeration. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Leroy S Marion
1.0 out of 5 stars Malicious Falsehood
This film is claiming that the story is inspired by true events.
Well, apart from the part "the Japanese Army indeed occupied the large part of Nanking on 13 December 1937",... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hiromi
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