The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)
All her life, Englishwoman Gladys Aylward knew that China was the place where she belonged. Not qualified to be sent there as a missionary, Gladys works as a domestic to earn the money to send herself to a poor, remote village. There she eventually lives a full and happy life: running the inn, acting as "foot inspector", advising the local Mandarin, and even winning the heart of mixed race Captain Lin Nan. But Gladys discovers her real destiny when the country is invaded by Japan and the Chinese children need her to save their lives. Based on a true story.
- Mark Robson
- David Middlemas
- Isobel Lennart
- Alan Burgess
Rating: 6.7/10 by 73 users
Alternative Title:
A Morada da Sexta Felicidade - BR
A Pousada da Sexta Felicidade - PT
Die Herberge zur sechsten Glückseligkeit - DE
Το Πανδοχείον της 6ης Ευτυχίας - GR
Το Πανδοχείο της 6ης Ευτυχίας - GR
Το Πανδοχείον της Έκτης Ευτυχίας - GR
Το Πανδοχείο της Έκτης Ευτυχίας - GR
六番目の幸福 - JP
여섯 번째의 행복 - KR
Country:
United Kingdom
United States of America
Language:
English
Italiano
普通话
Runtime: 02 hour 38 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: china, missionary, biography, based on true story, trans-siberian railway, 1930s, japanese occupation of china
Ingrid Bergman is the renowned British missionary Gladys Aylward in this rather lavish - if shallow - biopic of her adventures in China. Forced to raise her £41 train fare by cleaning houses in London, she embarks on her journey with grim determination but no real notion as to what awaits her. Luckily, one of her erstwhile employers "Sir Francis" (Ronald Squire) has furnished her with the name of someone who might be able to help. Soon enough, she is established in the eponymous lodgings offering a place of rest for travellers. The town is run by local mandarin Robert Donat and protected by troops under the command of "Capt. Lin Nan" (Curd Jürgens). Initially she and the Captain don't quite see eye to eye, but gradually he begins to appreciate her skills as a communicator, mediator and generally decent woman. Her interventions generally improve life for all concerned and soon she is well respected by all. The mood soon changes, though, when the Japanese launch an invasion and she must try to ensure that a large group of children make it to safety over some rugged terrain under frequent assault from their pursuing invaders. The story itself is one of heroism and bravery, and is well worth telling - even if it has a slightly condescending colonial tone to it. Sadly though, the talent here just don't work very well at all. Sometimes Bergman could over-act, and here she does it in spades. Her characterisation is only really skin-deep. Donat just doesn't convince at all with his silk clothes and thin moustache and Jürgens... Well what was he thinking? What was director Mark Robson thinking? It's a very long film, and it does drag quite often before the ending gets us to the gist of the remarkable real-life achievements of this strong-willed woman. It is photographed beautifully with some glorious costumes and outdoor settings to set the context for this story well. It's a bit of a slog to watch but on a big screen it still just about works.