AboveDeepBuggy Some things I liked some I did not.

Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Mike Lengel This film is worth watching if you're looking for a wartime adventure with unique flavor and perspective. The plot rattles through the bloody 1937 Japanese destruction of Nanking, showcasing sharp uniforms and brutal combat between the Japanese, Chinese, and civilians caught between. The film sounds true to the visual horrors of war, but it's tactical authenticity seems shaky (Japanese soldiers seemed type-castedly reckless shooting countless rounds off with no sense of target) The camera shakes a lot in general, which delivers in the combat scenes but carries over to the more quiet church scenes as well, adding uneccesary tension. Otherwise the cinematography is quite vivid and crisply contrasts the smoldering Nanking with vibrant stained glass and Chinese dresses.Christian Bale gives a suave performance as an outsider among Chinese refugees, and those familiar with his work can know what to expect, although the screenplay lacks coherence giving Bale an unnecessary carefreeness and joviality among the surrounding death and destruction.The surrounding cast are emotionally vibrant, if somewhat stiffly bound to their roles as soldier, prostitute, religious student (There is little character development, largely unnecessary as the story is theme driven).Overall the film ties together nicely in the wartime theme of survival and sacrifice. It makes up for lessor inconsistencies with a rich emotional plot, realistic wartime atmosphere, and fittingly authentic Eastern soundtrack. Well worth a watch for an emotional glimpse into the cinematically overlooked Chinese-Japanese WW2 conflict.

Samuel Boas So far I have never wrote a review on any film that I have seen in my life. This film however is a wee bit different. This film really touched me and I did not look away from the screen for even a second. I can recommend everyone to watch this film that is even remotely interested in history. I will keep this particular review short only because there is plenty to read and I can only say: watch this film.This is a real masterpiece.

Anssi Vartiainen The Flowers of War tells a tale of survival, war time brutality, sacrifice and hope shining from within even the most unlikely source. It tells the tale of John Miller (Christian Bale) and the girls and women he helped to protect and hide during the Japanese attack on Nanking in 1937. Loosely based on real events, it's a movie that's sure to elicit some emotions.First of all, to the movie's credit, it at least attempts to rise above taking sides. It shows that there exists good in both sides, but it also doesn't shy away from the atrocities committed by both of them. Ultimately it's a tale one's willingness to do the right thing even at the expense of one's own life and safety.The film's directed by Zhang Yimou, of House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower fame, so you can bet that the production values are top notch. The actors are also very talented, and not just Bale. Ni Ni, playing the role of a prostitute Yu Mo, received a lot of praise for her performance, and deservedly so.In the end it's hard to say more without spoiling the experience. The Flowers of War is a very good war movie told from the point of view of a survivor. It's quite brutal and straight, but it also shines a light on the best sides of humanity. Worth a watch.

rajatdahiyax In 1937, Nanking stands at the forefront of a war between China and Japan. As the invading Japanese Imperial Army overruns China's capital city, desperate civilians seek refuge behind the nominally protective walls of a western cathedral. Here, John Miller (Christian Bale), an American trapped amidst the chaos of battle and the ensuing occupation takes shelter, joined by a group of innocent schoolgirls and thirteen courtesans, equally determined to escape the horrors taking place outside the church walls. Struggling to survive the violence and persecution wrought by the Japanese army, it is an act of heroism which eventually leads the seemingly disparate group to fight back, risking their lives for the sake of everyone.