55 Days at Peking (1963) | |
| Director(s) | Nicholas Ray, Guy Green (uncredited), Andrew Marton (uncredited) |
| Producer(s) | Samuel Bronston, Michal Waszynski (associate) |
| Top Genres | Action, Drama, Historical, War |
| Top Topics | |
Featured Cast:
55 Days at Peking Overview:
55 Days at Peking (1963) was a Drama - Historical Film directed by Guy Green and Andrew Marton and produced by Michal Waszynski and Samuel Bronston.
Academy Awards 1963 --- Ceremony Number 36 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Music - Scoring | Dimitri Tiomkin | Nominated |
| Best Music - Song | Music by Dimitri Tiomkin; Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster | Nominated |
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Quotes from
Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi:
The boxer bandits will be dealt with, but the anger of the Chinese people cannot be quieted so easily. The Germans have seized Kiaochow, the Russians have seized Port Arthur, the French have obtained concessions in Yunnan, Kwan See and Kwantang. In all, 13 of the 18 provinces of China are under foreign control. Foreign warships occupy our harbours, foreign armies occupy our forts, foreign merchants administer our banks, foreign gods disturb the spirit of our ancestors. Is it surprising that our people are aroused?
Sir Arthur Robertson: Your Majesty if you permit me to observe, the violence of the Boxers will not redress the grievances of China.
Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi: China is a prostrate cow, the powers are not content milking her, but must also butcher her.
Sir Arthur Robertson: If China is a cow, Your Majesty, she is indeed a marvelous animal. She gives meat as well as milk, and yet grows stronger.
Dr. Steinfeldt: [in the hospital, while the baroness refuses medical assistance] Don't you want to live?
Baroness Natalie Ivanoff: I *have* lived!
Baron Sergei Ivanoff: [Clapping sarcastically] Congratulations, Sir Arthur! It seems the British have won another bloodless victory!
US Minister Maxwell: I take it you have now unanimously decided to stay.
Baron Sergei Ivanoff: I shall report in my diary the first vote was nine-to-one, and that in a... friendly spirit it was then decided to make the decision unanimous.
read more quotes from 55 Days at Peking...
Sir Arthur Robertson: Your Majesty if you permit me to observe, the violence of the Boxers will not redress the grievances of China.
Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi: China is a prostrate cow, the powers are not content milking her, but must also butcher her.
Sir Arthur Robertson: If China is a cow, Your Majesty, she is indeed a marvelous animal. She gives meat as well as milk, and yet grows stronger.
Dr. Steinfeldt: [in the hospital, while the baroness refuses medical assistance] Don't you want to live?
Baroness Natalie Ivanoff: I *have* lived!
Baron Sergei Ivanoff: [Clapping sarcastically] Congratulations, Sir Arthur! It seems the British have won another bloodless victory!
US Minister Maxwell: I take it you have now unanimously decided to stay.
Baron Sergei Ivanoff: I shall report in my diary the first vote was nine-to-one, and that in a... friendly spirit it was then decided to make the decision unanimous.
read more quotes from 55 Days at Peking...
Facts about
The Japanese Colonel Shiba, played by Ichizo Itami, is the only major character among those depicted in the besieged legations who has the real name of a key participant in the actual historical events. Shiba Goro (1860-1945), then with the rank of colonel, was military attaché at the Japanese Legation. The real life Colonel Shiba emerges as a true hero and the most admired military leader within the legations in contemporary newspaper accounts and memoirs, including by English and American authors. Wikipedia has an interesting article about his career.
Producer Samuel Bronston wanted Deborah Kerr for the role of the Baroness, whilst Charlton Heston suggested either Jeanne Moreau or Melina Mercouri for the part. However, director Nicholas Ray insisted on Ava Gardner playing her. Tom Courtenay and Peter McEnery were mentioned for supporting roles, but neither finally appeared in the film.
The siege of the Peking Legation Quarter was a great backdrop for dramatic effect and story-telling as the basis of this movie because it involved so many nationalities and personalities through a real crisis in an exotic location. Some survivors of the Legations, however, felt they did not have as tough a time as those caught three miles away in the concurrent more closely confined siege by Boxers and soldiers of Peking's Northern Cathedral. Defended by only 25 French and 15 Italian marines, the Catholic Bishop Pierre-Marie-Alphonse Favier (1837-1905) held out for 56 days against sniping, bombardment and mining, losing 10 of his marines killed and 500 of his Chinese congregation. There is enough material in the cathedral siege for a movie in its own right.
read more facts about 55 Days at Peking...
Producer Samuel Bronston wanted Deborah Kerr for the role of the Baroness, whilst Charlton Heston suggested either Jeanne Moreau or Melina Mercouri for the part. However, director Nicholas Ray insisted on Ava Gardner playing her. Tom Courtenay and Peter McEnery were mentioned for supporting roles, but neither finally appeared in the film.
The siege of the Peking Legation Quarter was a great backdrop for dramatic effect and story-telling as the basis of this movie because it involved so many nationalities and personalities through a real crisis in an exotic location. Some survivors of the Legations, however, felt they did not have as tough a time as those caught three miles away in the concurrent more closely confined siege by Boxers and soldiers of Peking's Northern Cathedral. Defended by only 25 French and 15 Italian marines, the Catholic Bishop Pierre-Marie-Alphonse Favier (1837-1905) held out for 56 days against sniping, bombardment and mining, losing 10 of his marines killed and 500 of his Chinese congregation. There is enough material in the cathedral siege for a movie in its own right.
read more facts about 55 Days at Peking...
