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Dead to Rights

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In 1937, a postman turns a photo studio into a refugee center for Chinese soldiers and citizens amidst the Nanjing Massacre.
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Critics Reviews

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Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views If you only have time to see one movie this year that commemorates the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II or the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, see this one. Sep 8, 2025 Full Review Whang Yee Ling The Straits Times (Singapore) One of history’s darkest chapters is memorialised with film-making craft and politburo-pleasing nationalism. Rated: 3/5 Aug 28, 2025 Full Review Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania Shen Ao's bleak and moving Nanjing Massacre-set anti-war drama. Rated: 4/5 Aug 28, 2025 Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse Although the movie includes melodramatic passages and occasionally slips into patriotic exaggeration, some restraint is exercised in portraying the Japanese, preventing them from becoming entirely one-dimensional. Rated: 6.5 Aug 24, 2025 Full Review James Marsh South China Morning Post The lavish production design, strong performances and inescapable weight of the subject matter are already more than enough to ensure Dead to Rights is a thunderously powerful account of one of history’s most egregious tragedies. Rated: 3/5 Aug 21, 2025 Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix Dead to Rights is a harrowing and impactful depiction of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937. This historical drama doesn't give political lectures but instead takes an unflinching look at how heroic compassion can exist amid evil and inhumane atrocities. Aug 19, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bill T This was a raw and graphic portrayal of atrocities carried out by Japan against China. The story is at once powerful and utterly depressing and alarming. That there are people who deny these events ever took place underscores why the photographic record is so important, as is ensuring no one ever forgets it happened. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/31/25 Full Review Mars Can be better but good enough Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Cathy I was deeply moved by the movie. People around the world must never forget the brutal, inhumane war crimes committed by Japanese soldiers. Japan should sincerely apologize for the atrocities they inflicted on the Chinese people, the peoples of Southeast Asia, as well as American soldiers. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Katherine Y Helps people to reflect on history. Tells good story and real history. Great movie. Definitely worth the time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review wan z Unforgettable, never forget the history! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Ordinary Chinese This movie takes on one of the darkest chapters of history—the Japanese invasion of China and the Nanking massacre. Told through three different characters who meet in the city after the invasion, it shows the brutality of the soldiers and the horror faced by civilians. Its raw, emotional, and hard to watch at times, but thats what makes it powerful. Even more impactful is the reminder that this part of history is still denied or ignored in Japan today. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dead to Rights

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1937, a postman turns a photo studio into a refugee center for Chinese soldiers and citizens amidst the Nanjing Massacre.
Director
Ao Shen
Screenwriter
Ao Shen, Luyang Xu, Ke Zhang
Distributor
Niu Vision Media / Echelon Studios
Production Co
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 15, 2025, Limited
Runtime
2h 17m