55 Days at Peking

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55 Days at Peking

1963

2h 30m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This historical epic dramatizes the Battle of Peking, a turning point of the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. When Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi (Flora Robson) orders the Boxers, a group of Chinese secret societies, to massacre foreigners within China, a group of ambassadors, their families and staff hole up in a diplomatic compound. Major Matt Lewis of the United States Marine Corps (Charlton Heston) leads the defense while romancing Russian baroness Natalie Ivanoff (Ava Gardner).

Variety Staff

Variety

Jack Hildyard's photography is excellent, particularly in getting on the big screen the savage attack scenes which take up the major part of the picture.

Oct 22, 2007

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Time Out

A magnificent failure.

Jan 26, 2006

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Nicholas Ray's last commercial film and second blockbuster for Samuel Bronston (after King of Kings) effectively ended his career as a Hollywood director, and the unwieldiness of this spectacular... helps in part to explain why.

Jan 1, 2000

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TV Guide

hough ponderous, the film yields plenty of thrills.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 22, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B-

Aug 7, 2005

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Lively but overlong adventure picture.

Rated: B

Feb 18, 2005

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Noah P

A great watch, does run on a bit long.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

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Benoit B

Great practical effects and cinematography, however the movie moved pretty slowly.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

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Shay C

Classic setting. Really enjoyed this movie. It does run too long, though. Still great to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

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CodyZamboni Z

Solid historical action epic, Astounding giant full scale sets, Impressive wide screen explosion action scenes, Epic battle scenes with hundreds of extras, All courtesy of 2nd unit director Andrew Marton, Only demerit - unnecessary romantic subplot,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This was an enjoyable movie. The performances by Charlton Heston and David Niven were spectacular. While having some historical inaccuracies, the movie was a dramatic story of a fight against overwhelming odds in a foreign land. The film is a good blend of tragedy and triumph. The music written for this movie is a great song that I also enjoy outside of the movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Unfortunately, its potential could not be utilized.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Nicholas Ray

Director

Charlton Heston

Maj. Matt Lewis

Ava Gardner

Baroness Natalie Ivanoff

David Niven

Sir Arthur Robertson

Flora Robson

Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi

John Ireland

Sgt. Harry

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Synopsis

This historical epic dramatizes the Battle of Peking, a turning point of the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. When Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi (Flora Robson) orders the Boxers, a group of Chinese secret societies, to massacre foreigners within China, a group of ambassadors, their families and staff hole up in a diplomatic compound. Major Matt Lewis of the United States Marine Corps (Charlton Heston) leads the defense while romancing Russian baroness Natalie Ivanoff (Ava Gardner).

Director: Nicholas Ray
Producer: Samuel Bronston
Production Co: Allied Artists
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 2h 30m