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The Flowers of War

Play trailer Poster for The Flowers of War R Released Jan 20, 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 It can look tremendous, even if Zhao Xiaoding's hyper-stylised '90-retro cinematography sits uneasily beside relentless bloodshed and sexual violations. Rated: 3/5 Aug 3, 2012 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 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. Rated: 3/5 Aug 2, 2012 Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times Maudlin make-believe in which a molecule of fact has been dropped like vermouth into a martini ... Rated: 2/5 Aug 2, 2012 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 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. Rated: 4/5 Aug 20, 2022 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 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. Rated: 2/4 Aug 6, 2019 Full Review Sean Burns Philadelphia Weekly A florid, melodramatic tear-jerker of questionable taste but undeniable emotional impact. May 3, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (607) audience reviews
Christine S 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Tim M Despite the competent presentation, The Flowers of War can't help but fall victim to contrived histrionics and tonal inconsistencies. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/22/25 Full Review Wild for N Wow. I can't believe the low star ratings. This movie was phenomenal. I was so captivated and I felt like I was there with them. The kid George was the true hero and the star in my eyes. His sacrifice is beyond the heart of gold. A true angel. All the women were sheroes as well. This is an absolute must watch! It was heart wrenching, terrifying, and yet, beautiful in each of their role and in every setting! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/25 Full Review Jojo K first 30 min of the movie (chinese troops vs japanese) are not necessary, too many redundant scenes throughout the move and the director failed to make a point Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/08/25 Full Review Jelisije J A depressing yet engaging film based loosely on the real life historic tragic event when Japan invaded China in World War 2. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Faiz D Stunning visual effects, amazing actions, and good performances makes it a decent watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review 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
Beijing New Picture Film Co., Edko Films
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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