55 Days at Peking

Samuel Bronston produced this extravagant blockbuster, shot in Super Technirama 70. Nominally directed by Nicholas Ray (who makes a brief appearance as the U.S. ambassador), Ray was taken off the film and replaced by the more pliable directorial touches of Andrew Marton. Charlton Heston stars as ...more

55 Days at Peking is an odd movie in director Nicholas Ray's canon, although it is questionable as to whether it should be included among his works, as he was removed from it halfway through filming. Peking certainly feels like a movie guided by more than one hand, which ultimately impacts it effectiveness. Despite its ups and downs, there's enough to make Peking worth watching, especially from those who have a fondness for historical war epics. Peking gets off to a smashing start., with a ...more