Movie Review – The Flowers Of War

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that my favorite foreign director is Zhang Yimou. Ever since watching Raise The Red Lantern I have watched every one of his films. Of course it is very possible that I was more infatuated with Gong Li at the time then the artistic, and directorial styles of Yimou.

I must admit that I bought the Blu-Ray version of this film some time ago, but have been unable to sit down and watch it. The little time that Mi Jung and I ever have to sit down and watch a movie together is so little that we usually end up watching a comedy, or drama and not a “war” picture.

The Flowers Of War is set during the Japanese occupation of the old capital city of China in Nanking during the Sino-Japanese war in the late 30s. It stars Christian Bale as John Miller, an American undertaker sent to a Catholic Convent to embalm and burry the priest who is in charge of running the convent and protecting the school girls that reside there.

Upon arriving Mr. Miller discovers that traveling into war torn Nanking was all for naught, as the body he has been sent to bury has been annihilated by an exploding bomb. Set on getting paid he is immediately at odds with an orphan named ‘George’ who was the priests right hand man, and put in charge of protecting the girls from the invading Japanese army.

A group of prostitutes also seeks shelter in the convent, and are initially looked down upon by the school girls, and George who think of them as impure, and of a lower social class themselves.   A Japanese Colonel promises to protect the schoolgirls and asks them to sing for him, stating that he loves music and not the lack of being able to hear any singing or music has made him very homesick.

Later this same Colonel stops by to deliver an “invitation” for the girls to sing for the Japanese army who are celebrating the taking of the Capital City. John Miller determines that the girls are not just going to go there to sign, but will offered up as comfort girls for the Japanese soldiers. Mr. Miller begs the Colonel not to make them go as he feels the Colonel is a decent man, and that asking the girls to participate in the celebration of the fall of the city, with all the death and destruction would be the most indecent act imaginable.

Unable to spare the schoolgirls, the leader of the group of prostitutes comes up with a plan where they will go in the schoolgirls place, ultimately sacrificing themselves so the school girls may escape the city.

The movie is based on the real life story of Minnie Vautrin, who ran a college in Nanking, and the college did become safe haven for refugees during the war.

The story  and photography were on par with Zhang Yimous other films. While it did move slowly is some parts of the film, the over all style and storytelling made up for it.   If you are looking for a good story of sacrifice during the time of war, I would highly recommend The Flowers Of War.

If this blog article leads you to watch this film, which is available in DVD or Blu-Ray. As well available for rent or purchase on the iTunes Music Store, please stop by our forums to discuss the film.