So many things fall through the cracks during a war. Truth, irony, even people become lost in the blood and chaos. And while this can lead people to commit unspeakable acts of barbarity, it can also provide opportunities for some to rise above themselves and be something greater, nobler than they every dreamed they could be. This is what happened to George Hogg in 1937.
Two years before the start of the Second World War, China suffered through a brutal civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists. Seeing its opportunity, Japan invades under the guise of keeping the peace. To keep the charade reporters were strictly forbidden from entering the country. George Hogg, a British journalist, manages to get past the blockade by posing as a Red Cross worker. He makes it to Nanjing and witnesses firsthand the atrocities the occupying Japanese committed against the Chinese. If not for resistance leader Chen, Hogg would have been executed for what he saw, and now he has to travel to take refuge in an abandoned orphanage in the province of Huang Shi, where he eventually becomes the caretaker for the lost children.
Based on a true story, The Children of Huang Shi is a remarkable movie about how the human spirit shines and endures even in the worst situations. What George Hogg did was incredible, and deserves to be recognized and celebrated, and director Roger Spottiswoode does a wonderful job of telling his story.
The movies strength lies in that Spottiswoode focuses on Georges character, how he changes from an opportunistic journalist to an unexpected father for sixty children whose language he doesnt even speak. The movie certainly has a message, but it flows through naturally from the characters and events and never devolves into a preachy, self-righteous anti-war diatribe.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers does a wonderful job playing George. His acting is subtle, which suits the highly dramatic nature of the film. But the character whos most fun to watch is the rebel leader, Chen, played by Chow Yun Fat. Ive been a fan of his since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Since then I have watched the majority of his movies, and I think in terms of acting, hes the best of the martial artist/actors out there. Fat brings a charismatic, roguish charm to Chen, making him a fun mix of Rhett Butler and John Wayne.
The other two major adult characters are played by Michelle Yeoh and Radha Mitchell. Yeoh plays a black market merchant who ends up helping Hogg in taking care of the children, and Mitchell plays Lea, the Red Cross doctor who travels throughout China aiding the refugees and working with Chen and the resistance. Yeoh and Mitchell provide nice balancing points for each other, and both do a great deal to help Hogg and the children.
And the children in this movie are great. Their ages range from two to sixteen, and they are all entirely believable as damaged kids doing their best to survive in a war-torn country. Theyre sweet, theyre mean, theyre dirty, and theyre very endearing.
The Children of Huang Shi is a moving film about an extraordinary human moment. It teaches us that you dont have to be a soldier or a general in order to make a difference in war—all you have to do is be the best human being you know how to be. George Hogg went into China with the intention of telling a story; instead he became a story and in the process saved countless lives.
The movie is presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with the audio in 5.1 Dolby Digital. There is only an English language track, but there are English and Spanish subtitles. Both the audio and video are top-notch for this DVD.
The Children of Huang Shi has a great deal of previews, Blu-Ray Disc is High Definition! spot; Waltz with Bashir; The Class; I’ve Loved You so Long; I Served the King of England; Ashes of Time Redux; Rachel Getting Married; Frozen River; Synecdoche, New York; Elegy; The Fall; The Lodger. It also has:
The Challenge of Huang Shi (11:47) – A pretty basic behind-the-scenes documentary.
Theatrical Trailer (1:52)
During the credits several of the children George Hogg saved spoke about the man. Even though they are now old men and the incident long past, the love, respect, and admiration they feel for Hogg remains just as strong as Im sure it was when they were boys. It serves as just one more testament to the great things the man did. Highly recommended.
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Sony Pictures Classics presents The Children of Huang Shi. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun Fat, and Michelle Yeoh. Written by James McManus and Jane Hawksley. Running time: 125 minutes. Rated R. Released on DVD: January 20, 2009. Available at Amazon.
