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      Back to 1942

      Released Nov 30, 2012 2 hr. 26 min. History Drama List
      36% 11 Reviews Tomatometer 63% 500+ Ratings Audience Score The fortunes of a well-off Chinese landlord (Zhang Guoli) fall to ruin, as a devastating famine holds the country in its grip in 1942. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member A lost opportunity to share amazing stories and characters, heroes who saved and alleviated the suffering of many 'forgotten-Chinese', during this tumultuous period of Chinese history. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review georgan g Although interesting historically, this film was too long with too many characters that you didn't learn to like. It was also 98% in Chinese with subtitles that were often too quick to read. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review william d Respectable depiction of a tragic event of WWII. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Even though the film is in Chinese, the acting is really expressive. The refugee scenes are tragic and unforgettable. Epic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Simply too many undeveloped characters. It's hard to care for so many people when you can't really remember who's who. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member ok WWII epic post WWII Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Mark Jenkins Washington Post "Back to 1942" shows the director's mastery of chaotic spectacle, massed human motion and elegant camera movements. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 30, 2012 Full Review Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times Director Feng Xiaogang captures the epic scale of the exodus as well as the often-harrowing details, yet emotional connection proves more elusive. Rated: 2/5 Nov 29, 2012 Full Review Bruce DeMara Toronto Star A chronicle of unrelenting misery, sorrow and human degradation that has powerful moments but is hardly uplifting. Rated: 2/4 Nov 29, 2012 Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews The film could do with more pruning and fewer undeveloped characters. Jun 5, 2015 Full Review Daniel Eagan Film Journal International A relatively even-handed account of a famine which killed three million people, but the storytelling is so careful that it fails to build much interest or emotion. Nov 30, 2012 Full Review Andrew L. Urban Urban Cinefile Disaster movie and war movie in one dramatic realisation of a dark chapter in China's history, Back to 1942 is epic in its intentions and its scope Nov 24, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis The fortunes of a well-off Chinese landlord (Zhang Guoli) fall to ruin, as a devastating famine holds the country in its grip in 1942.
      Director
      Feng Xiao-Gang
      Executive Producer
      Zhongjun Wang
      Screenwriter
      Zhenyun Liu
      Distributor
      China Lion Film Distribution
      Production Co
      China Film, Media Asia Films Ltd. [hk], Huayi Brothers Media Group
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      Chinese
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 30, 2012, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 11, 2013