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Product Description
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An epic and extraordinary true story--or, at least, an extraordinary story based on a novel (Alan Burgess's The Small Woman) based on a true story. Gladys Aylward (an improbably mesmerizing Ingrid Bergman) is a British would-be missionary with an obsession about China. As she has no experience, the Missionary Society won't let her go, but she goes anyway, alone, to a remote northern province. She is hated, then loved; finally she becomes both a significant political figure and the heroine of a miraculous escape in which she shepherds 100 children to safety across the mountains just ahead of a Japanese invasion. Curt Jurgens is suitably stony as Lin Nan, the half-Dutch, half-Chinese military officer who falls in love with her, and a visibly ailing Robert Donat (who died before this, his final film, was released) is the wily local mandarin who sees and makes use of her extraordinary abilities. Directed by Mark Robson, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness is a sweeping, stirring tearjerker, a big tale told in a big landscape with acres of orchestrated strings by Malcolm Arnold. A beautiful and beautifully made film that's a classic of the "everyone said I couldn't but I did it anyway" genre. --Richard Farr
Product Description
INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS
Genre: Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: DVD
SKU:GMDB2218014
Genre: Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: DVD
SKU:GMDB2218014
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Hoka
Format:DVD
Thank you for this DVD of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness". I am in seventh heaven, now I have the American version [which can be viewed in Europe on suitable DVD players]. The commentary is fascinating, especially what Donald Spoto has to say about Ingrid Bergman. This will be so helpful for my website, which is about the making of the film.
The late 1950s was the time of inspirational epics and, in my opinion, this is the best. On DVD you can see the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia, North Wales, used to best advantage by director Mark Robson and cinematographer Freddie Young. It's almost like watching the film in a cinema again - something I haven't done since 1959. I recommend this DVD to everyone. Ingrid Bergman's acting is hardly acting at all - more like living! She looks so stunning, at a time in her life when she was at her best [in my opinion].
In essence, the film was true to the original biography of Gladys Aylward, as told in "The Small Woman", which was not a novel, by the way.
The late 1950s was the time of inspirational epics and, in my opinion, this is the best. On DVD you can see the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia, North Wales, used to best advantage by director Mark Robson and cinematographer Freddie Young. It's almost like watching the film in a cinema again - something I haven't done since 1959. I recommend this DVD to everyone. Ingrid Bergman's acting is hardly acting at all - more like living! She looks so stunning, at a time in her life when she was at her best [in my opinion].
In essence, the film was true to the original biography of Gladys Aylward, as told in "The Small Woman", which was not a novel, by the way.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By W. Oliver
Format:DVD
Overlong but fairly engrossing bio of Gladys Aylward, an English-woman who, despite her lack of qualifications, becomes a missionary in China. The film is episodic and covers Aylward's brief career as a parlor maid (saving money for her trip to China), her journey to China, her work at the Inn of the Sixth Happiness and the Chinese-Japanese war which results in her guiding 100+ children in an arduous journey through the mountains to a safer village. I didn't find the film as moving as other reviewers but it is well mounted and nice to look at. Bergman is outstanding as are other supporting players, most notably Curt Jergens and Robert Donat. This was Donat's last film (he died before it was released) and his last screen words are prophetic - "We shall not see each other again, I think. Farewell."
What is most notable about this dvd release is the excellent commentary by Nick Redman, Aubrey Solomon and Donald Spoto. Redman talks about the real Gladys Aylward, Solomon talks about the film production and Spoto discusses Ingrid Bergman. There were many things changed for the film version and many of them are small and inexplicable. For example, Aylward's given Chinese name was Ai-weh-deh (not Jenai), an adopted child was actually named Ninepence (Sixpense in the movie), etc. Other changes were more larger in scope - Aylward's journey to China was quite harsh and she almost died several times. The inn-keeper, Jeanne Lawson (memorably played by Athene Seyler) was no as agreeable a woman as portrayed in the film - she was actually a cantankerous person prone to fits and thought to be quite mad by the villagers. Aylward herself was thought by many to be fanatical and to put it bluntly, off her rocker. Many other fascinating aspects about the film and the women (both Aylward and Bergman) are included.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
If ever a film cried out for release as a DVD production-with a little hype to let everyone know it was available-this is it. The world we live in needs heros. Real, living, breathing heros! This film shows us that they are all around us-ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Robert Donat is magnificent in his final role. Ingrid Bergman makes you wish she was around and in her prime-today. Every family should see this.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inn of the Sixth Happiness
I rated it a top movie as I think this is one of the greatest classics with Ingrid Bergman. It is based on a true story and is such a drama. I watched it several times. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Linda Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of favorite feel good movies.
I have watched it at least half a dozen times. With so much bad going on, a movie with a happy ending is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.
Published 5 months ago by Kenny D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritual Giant!
Very motivating, It will encourage you to believe in your self as you walk in Faith.
Even when you have no support around you and you feel you must go on, this book will give... Read more
Even when you have no support around you and you feel you must go on, this book will give... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nick Berzenji
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT
This is a the great story of Gladys Aylward a missionary to China. She was refused by the local missionary society and went on to go out on her own and had a successful missionary... Read more
Published on April 9 2010 by C Knightly
5.0 out of 5 stars
following God's call
This is a magnificent film in every aspect; the acting is brilliant, the landscapes beautiful, the drama intense. Read more
Published on May 28 2004 by Alejandra Vernon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Break out the Kleenex...
...for this manipulative, mawkish tear-jerker. The story feels superficial (you never get a feeling for Aylward's sense of spirituality, only the very ocassional bit of tacked-on... Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Noah visits the baby Jesus
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness was filmed in Wales and the scenery is beautiful. Ingrid Bergman is in top form as Gladys Aylard would be missionary to China. Read more
Published on Jan 4 2004 by Paul Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally Inn Of THe Sixth Happiness is on DVD
I just recently bought this DVD and I love it a lot. I also like the fact that it has a lot of neat specail features. Read more
Published on Sep 2 2003 by Chris
4.0 out of 5 stars
INCREDIBLE EPIC OF SELFLESS LOVE
New on DVD (August, '03), this exceptional film strikes an emotional chord with universal truths.
The beauteous Ingrid Bergman portrays China-obsessed Gladys Aylward in... Read more
The beauteous Ingrid Bergman portrays China-obsessed Gladys Aylward in... Read more
Published on Sep 1 2003 by Robin Simmons
4.0 out of 5 stars
OUTSTANDING EFFORT FROM FOX: BUT WHERE ARE THE EXTRAS?!?!
"The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" is the fictional account of Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman), a woman of no formal education whose only great desire in life is to become... Read more
Published on Aug 5 2003 by Nix Pix
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