Based on true facts, it is a very reasonable film, but despite the romantic and dramatic plot, it is too documental.
I recommend it for its historical value.
I recommend it for its historical value.
43 Reviews
Some historical value
redtiago13 April 2021
A sad story
allanmichael3019 October 2019
A young pilot, Jack Turner, was saved by a young local widow named Ying, she risked her life and daughters as she hid the injured American pilot in her house. This is a good story of how she helped him get escape. The films based on true story of Americans escaping Japanese controlled China during second World War with the help of local people.
Good Enough
PennyReviews19 October 2018
The chinese widow seems like a promising movie. At first, the acting isn't that good and the CGI are awful but bareable. The scenes at the Chinese country side and the leading lady's life was interesting and eye catching. However, the story isn't as good as it should have been. Or, at least, the movie didn't excecute it well enough. The romance was quick and the ending even quicker. Actually, the ending was really bad.
War, war never changes
TOT_EchoofGlory21 May 2020
The war was brutal. Civilians were involved, and people died without any words, making the war even more brutal.
I think Bille August told the story in a calm style. In this movie, you can see the poor but stable rural life (before the soldiers came). Jack and Ying didn't have the same language, and caused some conflicts, but finally they understood each other by gestures and emotions.
I was deeply sad when I saw the ending. :(
Chinese film with American star
SnoopyStyle27 May 2022
Jack Turner (Emile Hirsch) is one of surviving Jimmy Doolittle raiders. He is being debriefed by his superiors. He recounts crash landing in China and rescued by local widower mother Ying (Liu Yifei). Her soldier husband was killed in Nanjing.
This is a Chinese film with an American star. There was a rash of them with Chinese money trying to make a Hollywood movie. It's surprisingly fine. The CGI green screen is a little outdated. The writing could be better. The romance is unnecessary and feels especially forced. There is better romantic potential with the teacher but I wouldn't want that either. There is some good tension but I would have liked to get moving sooner. This needs to be more of an escape road movie. This is a good first draft but it needs some refining.
This is a Chinese film with an American star. There was a rash of them with Chinese money trying to make a Hollywood movie. It's surprisingly fine. The CGI green screen is a little outdated. The writing could be better. The romance is unnecessary and feels especially forced. There is better romantic potential with the teacher but I wouldn't want that either. There is some good tension but I would have liked to get moving sooner. This needs to be more of an escape road movie. This is a good first draft but it needs some refining.
Pleasant surprise
cahamiltonky22 August 2021
A simple but well done film
pnoronha-6026831 January 2019
See "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo"
robbotnik200015 October 2018
The movie: "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" was released during WWII but was made with first class actors and great attention to actual events. It shows the raid on Tokyo from pre-planning, to practise, to the raid itself, with actual footage from the raiders used as matting as the B-25s approach the city. It follows the actual experience of one of the American pilots who was severely wounded and shows the great heroism of the Chinese on the ground who saved his life, operated on him, and protected him from the Japanese occupiers who were searching for the Americans. The Chinese suffered greatly throughout the war and in particular were punished for the protection they gave the American fliers.
Whistling Characters !
Intermissionman_4 May 2020
This Film is based on True Story of how Chinese Nationalist aided American Service men during WWII from the Japanese. Jack (Emile Hirsch) stars as an American pilot shot down after a bombing mission over Tokyo. The control tower at airport in China where they were to land makes Timing mistake and turns off runway lights . He and his crew parachute from the disabled plane and then Jack is rescued by a Young widowed Chinese woman and her daughter. His crew are captured by the Japs after a frantic search of the island led by their ruthless Captain. The story is simple but very heartfelt and dramatic. Good vs Evil. Wish had saw at Theatre, but found on Showtime Family. Nice production values. I would watch again and elaborate further but don't want to spoil it , so give it a look yourself.
Ok, but why kill everybody good, if it's not a true story?
emsfoleyart-130 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Believable war drama based on a fictional character in a real event, the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo at the start of WWII. Really liked the Chinese actors, Emil Hirsch seems mostly detached as per his usual. Nice love story develops, but the American makes it and the Chinese woman does not. Ultimately unsatisfying for that result, we experience little of the American's or the daughter's pain in the tragic loss. Metaphoric, I suppose, from the Chinese perspective, mirroring the actual sacrifice made by the Chinese in having given aid to the crash-landed American survivors in the Raid. They were brutally made to pay for assisting the downed Americans, by their Japanese occupiers. So, why not just cop-out, and let the Chinese mother survive? Or kill off the pilot, and see the mother's grief. Certainly didn't get enough remorse from the pilot. Oh he saved the daughter, "Hurray, for the USA"
Again, Hirsch is way too detached for us to vicariously experience any real feelings of grief, so why put us through the exercise? "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" covered the same material with more pathos and tension, and didn't need the "love story" device. The book was even more effective, and didn't need to resort to cheap unfulfilling sentimentality to tell a compelling story.
Who was the military TA on this?
webley_fosbery16 December 2018
Heartwarming & Heartbreaking
nealkattman11 December 2018
Monday is movie night at our house. My wife comes home with a new one from Red Box after work every Monday without fail and we have run the genre Gambit. Everything from meaningless junk to Best picture winners. We've laughed, we've cryed, we've cursed, we've applauded, we've been left wondering why and/or how we sat through many of them. I've often wanted to turn some off and forget I ever allowed myself to suffer through some of these flicks.
Then "In harm's way" found it's way to our DVD player ... This movie will probably never be heralded with the greatest films ever made. But I can honestly say: I absolutely loved it.
I never want to know what I'm about to watch. I don't want to know the genre, or any plot points. I want to be completely open minded and never have any premonition of the story. I hate the idea of "movie trailers" I think they are the absolute worst thing that can be done as far as movies go. I mean why watch a ballgame if you know who's going to win???...
I will not ruin this experience for anyone else with spoilers. All I will say is: If a heart beats inside of you...watch this movie. Have a wonderful life too. God bless all and thanks for reading my review.
Overall good
Hotepsekhemwy18 February 2019
If you are looking for a movie about honor, love and sacrifice. This may be the movie for you. This movie shows The displays the dislike the chinese people had for the Japanese. The sacrifice a few of the villagers displayed keeping the secret of the Americans. Slow movie and limited action movie
Oh. Another one of these.
shoobe01-130 January 2020
Another in the formulaic, cheap Chinese films for... I guess the western market as well as domestically?
A handful of good American actors, very poorly directed and maybe not with enough prep, so it's very wooden. Terrible CGI for all the war bits, a wraparound with very, very few American actors in a room, and lots of on the ground in China with happy villagers, which is or becomes a maudlin love story.
Didn't do a thing for me.
A handful of good American actors, very poorly directed and maybe not with enough prep, so it's very wooden. Terrible CGI for all the war bits, a wraparound with very, very few American actors in a room, and lots of on the ground in China with happy villagers, which is or becomes a maudlin love story.
Didn't do a thing for me.
The poor dialog writing of the Chinese Mandarin part
MovieIQTest7 November 2018
Some of the Chinese dialog didn't feel right, normal or correct for any Chinese speaking to each other, especially this film is about a bunch of villagers living in a remote mountainous area. No kid would say "Fu-Chin (father)" to his mother, but would say "Dad (Die)" or "BaBa", "Fu-Chin" is too literal and popular enough to be used in a mountain village in China. There are so many incorrect and wrong use of the Chinese language in this film's dialog. Those words used in this film simply felt more like highly educated people living in the big cities, these people in this film instead were living in a remote poor village in the mountain area, most of them would be illiterate since its around 1945. So every time, when the Chinese characters speaking, it's just not right but only bad screenplay writers would use such theater language that were not spoken by realistic Chinese people in their daily lives.
I often felt that most of the Chinese screenplay writers never could script correct and normal dialog speaking among the common Chinese people, every word just felt staged, like watching actors speaking on a theater stage. They cannot separate, distinguish, or truly grasp the realistic words according to the locations, the era, the time frames, the age differences, the education backgrounds, male or female gender differences....but just lazily and carelessly used the same format to write the scripts' dialog.
This is the main reason why most of the time I could only give lower ratings to most Chinese movies, because they just felt false and absolutely ridiculous.
This film was made, produced and released before the Japanese Prime Minister, Abe, revisited China a few days ago, and the Chinese Communist higher-ups suddenly changed their attitude to the Japanese government from hateful animosity to brotherhood love and friendship. If this film release date in China was scheduled when Prime Minister Abe's visiting date, then it would be definitely banned. Innocent Chinese villagers were viciously shot or chopping head off by the Japanese are now so unpopular and would be cunningly forbid or not recommended by the Chinese Communist government.
I often felt that most of the Chinese screenplay writers never could script correct and normal dialog speaking among the common Chinese people, every word just felt staged, like watching actors speaking on a theater stage. They cannot separate, distinguish, or truly grasp the realistic words according to the locations, the era, the time frames, the age differences, the education backgrounds, male or female gender differences....but just lazily and carelessly used the same format to write the scripts' dialog.
This is the main reason why most of the time I could only give lower ratings to most Chinese movies, because they just felt false and absolutely ridiculous.
This film was made, produced and released before the Japanese Prime Minister, Abe, revisited China a few days ago, and the Chinese Communist higher-ups suddenly changed their attitude to the Japanese government from hateful animosity to brotherhood love and friendship. If this film release date in China was scheduled when Prime Minister Abe's visiting date, then it would be definitely banned. Innocent Chinese villagers were viciously shot or chopping head off by the Japanese are now so unpopular and would be cunningly forbid or not recommended by the Chinese Communist government.
low budget version of true events
ksf-224 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Called in harm's way in imdb, but the chinese widow on roku channel. After pearl harbor, the u.s. Military strikes back at tokyo. When the flyers have to bail out over china, the japanese come looking for them. This is the story of how a chinese lady (liu yifei) and her daughter hide the pilot (emile hirsch) in their cellar. No big surprises... it's basically a true story, which has been told a numerous times in films. The chinese villages who assisted the american soldiers would later be punished for it by the japanese, but fortunately, that is just relayed to us at the very end. The start of the film was pretty rough.... i've never served in the military, but I'm pretty sure it didn't go like that scene in the bomber. Way too casual and calm. It's okay. Pretty low budget. Directed by bille august.
Not so grate
gianmarcoronconi21 January 2024
This is not a real review, it should be understood more as a collection of impressions on the film.
This is a film about war, but not really about war, it's a love story with war as its side, and as a story it's really sweet and full of hope. Let's say that there is a terribly negative thing that one really has a hard time overlooking, that is that both Chinese and Americans speak the same language but the actors obviously pretend not to understand each other and this is a bit too much of a suspension of disbelief to ask of one spectator who never understands which characters can understand others and when not.
This is a film about war, but not really about war, it's a love story with war as its side, and as a story it's really sweet and full of hope. Let's say that there is a terribly negative thing that one really has a hard time overlooking, that is that both Chinese and Americans speak the same language but the actors obviously pretend not to understand each other and this is a bit too much of a suspension of disbelief to ask of one spectator who never understands which characters can understand others and when not.
In Harm's Way Tells a Gripping Romantic Drama, Though Ironically, Gets in its Own Way While Doing so
totalovrdose7 October 2020
China makes at least a dozen anti-Japanese propaganda films a year, to remind their citizens and the rest of the world what Japan did during World War II. In Harm's Way, A.K.A The Hidden Soldier, A.K.A The Chinese Widow, A.K.A ???????, is yet another of these features, the movie's varying titles coinciding with the many hats the film wears. This is a propaganda feature, a war epic, a love story and a family drama, all rolled into one, and as I'm sure one can imagine, the multiple themes, plots and goals of this feature, don't always have the opportunity to appropriately flourish.
The opening sees Jack (Emile Hirsch) being interviewed by his commanders after his return from China, wherein he recollects his experiences abroad (without narration). This is potentially the first major issue with the movie; a pivotal narrative event is revealed here, that inadvertently evaporates some of the tension. It would be like reading a murder mystery, and having the name of the killer revealed on page one.
At times, it is obvious the movie is filmed on a tight budget, the attack on Japan at the beginning, and the subsequent scenes with bombers, kept to a minimum. After a successful bombing run, Jack pilots his small crew to China for pick-up, where everyone is forced to ditch. Separated from his men, Jack is found by Ying (Crystal Liu), her daughter Niu Niu (Fangcong Li), who is incredibly cute in the feature, and family-friend and village-leader, Kai (Yikuan Yan).
With the Japanese encroaching on their village, looking for the stranded Americans, Ying takes it upon herself to hide Jack in her home. Shimamoto (Tsukagoshi Hirotaka), the leader of the Japanese infantry there, is revealed to be the stereotypical, maniacal tyrant that we have seen hundreds of times before in previous Chinese war movies. That doesn't make his role any less tense or sinister, though it can come off as contrived.
I will give kudos to the film for having the Chinese speaking their own dialect, which adds authenticity. On the contrary, the Japanese also speak Chinese, so...........That said, the dynamic between Jack and Ying is effective, the feature illustrating that love has no cultural background, and needs no verbal language to thrive. Ms. Liu creates a genuinely sympathetic character, who is caring, resilient and strong-willed, putting the lives of others before herself. Mr. Hirsch, on the other hand, creates a gentlemanly personality, who is desperate to return home, but also deeply fond of the family who have taken him in. Forced into a harsh situation, with their lives threatened, it is no surprise they begin to grow a strong bond.
The relationship between Ying and her daughter occasionally feels more like two good friends, their chemistry being very warm. The sub-plot concerning Ying's deceased husband is often-times brought up, though doesn't really seem to get the attention it warrants. At the same time, Ying is providing for her in-laws, the relationship with her mother-in-law (Zhu Jin), being strained, at best, however this addition to the narrative doesn't go anywhere.
On occasion, events, such as a funeral, are mentioned, but these are never shown to us, while at other times, the sin 'tell, don't show' is committed. To that end, In Harm's Way feels rushed, and more like a movie that has been really cut down, so it fits under the 90-minute margin. That's not to detract from what we are given, which is a poignant and taut drama, with likable characters we feel strongly for, but considering the narrative the film is trying to sell us, more would have been nicer.
Furthermore, the conclusion of the film, though moving, doesn't coincide with the characters, and their motivations, that we know from the feature. The best way of describing it, would be that I, as an audience member, feel a bit cheated. It just, short of, ends, again highlighting the rapidness of the narrative.
The occasional in-your-face propaganda, deliberate melodrama and narrative abruptness aside, In Harm's Way is not a bad movie. In truth, it's perfectly fine; 'good' even. Pardon the metaphor, the movie is like being late to the arrival of a beautiful sundown. For everything that is done well, there is so much more that we would really like to have seen.
The opening sees Jack (Emile Hirsch) being interviewed by his commanders after his return from China, wherein he recollects his experiences abroad (without narration). This is potentially the first major issue with the movie; a pivotal narrative event is revealed here, that inadvertently evaporates some of the tension. It would be like reading a murder mystery, and having the name of the killer revealed on page one.
At times, it is obvious the movie is filmed on a tight budget, the attack on Japan at the beginning, and the subsequent scenes with bombers, kept to a minimum. After a successful bombing run, Jack pilots his small crew to China for pick-up, where everyone is forced to ditch. Separated from his men, Jack is found by Ying (Crystal Liu), her daughter Niu Niu (Fangcong Li), who is incredibly cute in the feature, and family-friend and village-leader, Kai (Yikuan Yan).
With the Japanese encroaching on their village, looking for the stranded Americans, Ying takes it upon herself to hide Jack in her home. Shimamoto (Tsukagoshi Hirotaka), the leader of the Japanese infantry there, is revealed to be the stereotypical, maniacal tyrant that we have seen hundreds of times before in previous Chinese war movies. That doesn't make his role any less tense or sinister, though it can come off as contrived.
I will give kudos to the film for having the Chinese speaking their own dialect, which adds authenticity. On the contrary, the Japanese also speak Chinese, so...........That said, the dynamic between Jack and Ying is effective, the feature illustrating that love has no cultural background, and needs no verbal language to thrive. Ms. Liu creates a genuinely sympathetic character, who is caring, resilient and strong-willed, putting the lives of others before herself. Mr. Hirsch, on the other hand, creates a gentlemanly personality, who is desperate to return home, but also deeply fond of the family who have taken him in. Forced into a harsh situation, with their lives threatened, it is no surprise they begin to grow a strong bond.
The relationship between Ying and her daughter occasionally feels more like two good friends, their chemistry being very warm. The sub-plot concerning Ying's deceased husband is often-times brought up, though doesn't really seem to get the attention it warrants. At the same time, Ying is providing for her in-laws, the relationship with her mother-in-law (Zhu Jin), being strained, at best, however this addition to the narrative doesn't go anywhere.
On occasion, events, such as a funeral, are mentioned, but these are never shown to us, while at other times, the sin 'tell, don't show' is committed. To that end, In Harm's Way feels rushed, and more like a movie that has been really cut down, so it fits under the 90-minute margin. That's not to detract from what we are given, which is a poignant and taut drama, with likable characters we feel strongly for, but considering the narrative the film is trying to sell us, more would have been nicer.
Furthermore, the conclusion of the film, though moving, doesn't coincide with the characters, and their motivations, that we know from the feature. The best way of describing it, would be that I, as an audience member, feel a bit cheated. It just, short of, ends, again highlighting the rapidness of the narrative.
The occasional in-your-face propaganda, deliberate melodrama and narrative abruptness aside, In Harm's Way is not a bad movie. In truth, it's perfectly fine; 'good' even. Pardon the metaphor, the movie is like being late to the arrival of a beautiful sundown. For everything that is done well, there is so much more that we would really like to have seen.
Was the film based on a true story?
m_alternativ5 September 2021
Was the film based on a true story?
I do not know exactly, but otherwise it can be said that this is a propaganda film for the Chinese government during World War II.
In this film, we see the Chinese army helping to save an American soldier, but think about what exactly happened in China ten years later. How many millions lost their lives during the communist regime? This is in contrast to the story of this film in which so many people sacrifice their lives to save an American soldier. However, this is also a problem. Why do so many people have to die for one person? Doesn't their lives matter?
This movie wants to be a sad drama, but it does not happen. We only see innocent people who die to keep one alive. This is very strange and unbelievable. I can not give this movie more than 4 points.
I do not know exactly, but otherwise it can be said that this is a propaganda film for the Chinese government during World War II.
In this film, we see the Chinese army helping to save an American soldier, but think about what exactly happened in China ten years later. How many millions lost their lives during the communist regime? This is in contrast to the story of this film in which so many people sacrifice their lives to save an American soldier. However, this is also a problem. Why do so many people have to die for one person? Doesn't their lives matter?
This movie wants to be a sad drama, but it does not happen. We only see innocent people who die to keep one alive. This is very strange and unbelievable. I can not give this movie more than 4 points.
A well acted war drama
charliesporns24 November 2017
While the box office is overrun by superhero films, it's refreshing to see a film that grounds itself more directly in humanity. "The Chinese Widow" is a beautifully shot, often endearing film that features particularly strong performances by Yifei Liu and Fangcong Li. It is a moving story that deals with incredible sacrifice and one that may bring the viewer to question their definition of heroism. If you want to see something more profound than a run-of-the-mill blockbuster, "The Chinese Widow" is definitely worth a watch.
Not enough
Hlebka5 June 2023
Bille August is definitely a better director of a more intimate genre, and he confirms it in this case as well. All "action" scenes stink of cheap production, tricks are more than transparent. Especially at the beginning it looks terrible, during the bombing of Tokyo, I wanted to give up right away. After about 20 minutes, the "CGI mess" disappears and it moves towards a sad story about the Japanese occupation of China. Where the local people suffer. The plot revolves around two strangers who found their way to each other despite the adversity of fate. The depiction of the Chinese village and its customs are among the better, but that's not enough.
A Beautiful Love Story
lavatch10 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
There is an allusion in the film "In Harm's Way" to the Nanking Massacre of January 1938. In this horrific event, there was mass murder and rape committed against the residents of Nanjing by the bellicose Empire of Japan. In the film, the husband of Ying lost his life at Nanking. But this film focuses on a less well-known World War II event, the atrocities committed Zhejiang Province in China.
The time is 1942. The place is Tokyo. The action is bombing mission of Jimmy Doolittle's crackerjack pilots in response to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor the previous December. Captain Jack Turner is the pilot who has led a successful raid over Tokyo. But when he pilots his aircraft to safety in Zhejiang Province in China, he and his crew must bail out of the damaged plane.
Jack is the only crew member not captured by the Japanese. In the main drama of the film, he is taken in and cared for by a kind Chinese widow named Ying, who lives with her daughter Nunu. Jack is seriously wounded with a leg injury. With the potential of grave danger to herself and her daughter, Ying nurses Jack back to health. In the process, the two characters fall in love. The strength of the film is the bonding of Jack and Ying.
As an ally of the United States, the Chinese nation helped to rescue many GIs like Jack Turner during the war. 250,000 Chinese civilians of the Zhejiang Province sacrificed their lives. While the film weaves an effective historical yarn, it is the sensitive relationship of Ying and Jack that will be most memorable to viewers. This was a beautiful love story couched in an important historical epoch.
The time is 1942. The place is Tokyo. The action is bombing mission of Jimmy Doolittle's crackerjack pilots in response to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor the previous December. Captain Jack Turner is the pilot who has led a successful raid over Tokyo. But when he pilots his aircraft to safety in Zhejiang Province in China, he and his crew must bail out of the damaged plane.
Jack is the only crew member not captured by the Japanese. In the main drama of the film, he is taken in and cared for by a kind Chinese widow named Ying, who lives with her daughter Nunu. Jack is seriously wounded with a leg injury. With the potential of grave danger to herself and her daughter, Ying nurses Jack back to health. In the process, the two characters fall in love. The strength of the film is the bonding of Jack and Ying.
As an ally of the United States, the Chinese nation helped to rescue many GIs like Jack Turner during the war. 250,000 Chinese civilians of the Zhejiang Province sacrificed their lives. While the film weaves an effective historical yarn, it is the sensitive relationship of Ying and Jack that will be most memorable to viewers. This was a beautiful love story couched in an important historical epoch.
A fantastic story told rather disappointingly
stevelivesey-3718327 April 2024
What a shame. A great story about the bombing run on Tokyo and the aftermath being the crash in Japan and the attempted survival of the 5 US airmen.
That's what the film should have been about. Instead we get an airmen hiding out, the relationship between him and the people helping and a possible adoption.
It seems like a true story but makes no claim that it is.
The direction is basic, the acting is poor and there is no real emotion between the characters because they cannot communicate. As a result none of the finale is believable.
I have to wonder how a director like Spielberg, Fincher, etc would film such a great story.
That's what the film should have been about. Instead we get an airmen hiding out, the relationship between him and the people helping and a possible adoption.
It seems like a true story but makes no claim that it is.
The direction is basic, the acting is poor and there is no real emotion between the characters because they cannot communicate. As a result none of the finale is believable.
I have to wonder how a director like Spielberg, Fincher, etc would film such a great story.
Poorly Written Snoozer
mikelicari7 December 2018
When you can't wait for a movie to end you know it is really bad. The acting, story, photography, action, casting, and everything associated with filmmaking was below par. In short, this film should not have been made.
30 Seconds over Tokyo 2 minutes over this movie
Taco_Sanchez29 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I literally turned this movie off 2 minutes in because I couldn't get past the stupidity of the exposition filled dialogue. I saw I needed to see when (for SOME reason in the Florida Panhandle) they were debriefing a pilot and had to explain to him why he went on a bombing mission, several months ago - though it's urgent he tell them everything now!
We then cut to a scene on the deck of the USS Hornet...".gee Colonel is this a drill? ". "No it's for real". "But we're 400 miles further away than we thought, we will have enough gas" ?
If you want to see a great movie about the Doolittle raid, watch 30 seconds over Tokyo. It tells the story of training through the heroic assistance of the Chinese to help them escape afterwards. It's got well written dialog that makes sense. It actually has pretty good special effects for the time as well as some real footage.
We then cut to a scene on the deck of the USS Hornet...".gee Colonel is this a drill? ". "No it's for real". "But we're 400 miles further away than we thought, we will have enough gas" ?
If you want to see a great movie about the Doolittle raid, watch 30 seconds over Tokyo. It tells the story of training through the heroic assistance of the Chinese to help them escape afterwards. It's got well written dialog that makes sense. It actually has pretty good special effects for the time as well as some real footage.
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