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The Flowers of War

Play trailer Poster for The Flowers of War R 2012 2h 21m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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41% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
An American (Christian Bale) tries to protect a group of Chinese students and prostitutes from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanjing.
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The Flowers of War

The Flowers of War

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Critics Consensus

Zhang Yimou's stylistic flair is in full bloom during The Flowers of War, but his colorful treatment of a historical genocide ultimately does a disservice to the horrifying events' inherent drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times 08/03/2012
3/5
It can look tremendous, even if Zhao Xiaoding's hyper-stylised '90-retro cinematography sits uneasily beside relentless bloodshed and sexual violations. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 08/02/2012
3/5
Bale is forthright and emotional in the role, and with a hint of boyish vulnerability, even reminds us of his 13-year-old self in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun. Go to Full Review
Nigel Andrews Financial Times 08/02/2012
2/5
Maudlin make-believe in which a molecule of fact has been dropped like vermouth into a martini ... Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/20/2022
4/5
Director Zhang Yimou’s respectful but straightforward approach to the story gives it quite a powerful punch even though it employs a few conventions that we’ve seen in several other films. Go to Full Review
Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 08/06/2019
2/4
As a melodrama it's passable, solidly crafted entertainment, but one can't escape the nagging feeling that perhaps such ghastly atrocities shouldn't go down this easy. Go to Full Review
Sean Burns Philadelphia Weekly 05/03/2015
A florid, melodramatic tear-jerker of questionable taste but undeniable emotional impact. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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PathtotheGOAT . @PathtotheGOAT Nov 24 Criminally underrated, gut-wrenching, brilliant film! See more Philipp L Nov 13 I was shocked after reading the critics’ reviews. Even though they were written thirteen years ago, they still highlight an issue that remains deeply relevant in today’s society: masculinity and the role of men in violence. This film not only presents a different perspective on a horrific event but also reminds us that these tragedies and the systemic problems behind them remain etched in history and cannot simply be forgotten! See more Bobby E Aug 14 Well . Here is another example of rotton tomatoes being rotton critics . Don't even know where to start . Cinematography , direction , story , sets , cgi's , costuming , cast , acting . All excellent . This one got by me . I'm so glad I found it . Today is 8/12/2025 . See more Floyd R Aug 11 Finally a movie about the atrocities committed by the japanese in WW2 See more Christine S Apr 24 The Flowers of War – A Powerful and Underrated Masterpiece I’m genuinely amazed at some of the low ratings for this film. The Flowers of War is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted film based on true events during the Nanjing Massacre. It captures both the brutal horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit with remarkable sensitivity. The cinematography is stunning, immersing viewers in the haunting yet poetic atmosphere of a war-torn city. The storytelling is gripping from beginning to end, blending heartbreak and hope in a way that lingers long after the credits roll. The performances are outstanding—each actor brought their role to life with raw emotion and depth, especially the young girls and Christian Bale, who gave a heartfelt and transformative performance. The supporting cast was equally compelling, delivering performances that felt authentic and soul-stirring. This film is not only visually powerful but emotionally resonant. It sheds light on a tragic moment in history with grace and courage. It’s more than just a war movie—it’s a story of sacrifice, compassion, and unexpected heroism. Bravo to the director and cast. This is truly a work of art that deserves far more recognition. See more Tim M @tgmacman Apr 22 Despite the competent presentation, The Flowers of War can't help but fall victim to contrived histrionics and tonal inconsistencies. See more Read all reviews
The Flowers of War

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Movie Info

Synopsis An American (Christian Bale) tries to protect a group of Chinese students and prostitutes from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanjing.
Director
Yimou Zhang
Screenwriter
Heng Liu
Distributor
Wrekin Hill Ent.
Production Co
Edko Films, Beijing New Picture Film Co.
Rating
R (Brief Strong Language|A Sexual Assault|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 20, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$308.2K
Runtime
2h 21m
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