The Children of Huang Shi is so desperate to be the Asian Schindler's List, an example of atrocity draped in abject artistry, that it forgets to lay out the context.
Comment
07/01/08
The Children of Huang Shi (2008)
31
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:72
Fresh:22
Rotten:50
Average Rating:4.6/10
Consensus: This beautifully photographed but dramatically flat war drama recounts an important chapter in history with little cinematic freshness.
Theatrical Release:May 23, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $652,604
Synopsis: Based on real events, The Children of Huang Shi is a story set against war-torn China in the 1930’s. The film centers on a young English journalist (JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS), an American nurse (RADHA... [More]
Starring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Get This Movie
Reviews for The Children of Huang Shi
... an affecting portrait and a strong story with a compelling backdrop, and Chinese cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao makes the gorgeous locations look magnificent.
06/29/08
The settings in remote China are wonderfully diverse as seen through Xiaoding Zhao's lens, and the passionate and heartfelt saga unfolds beautifully, capturing our hearts.
06/28/08
Director Roger Spottiswoode captures some gorgeous Chinese scenery, much of which is chewed by Rhys Meyers' histrionic performance.
06/27/08
Its wartime, period and regional production values are persuasive, the character is larger than life and the climax is sobering.
06/26/08
Frankly, we'd much rather hear the stories of the orphans themselves.
06/26/08
The film's closing credits ironically emphasize its dramatic shortcomings: Here we see the real, now-elderly children of Huang Shi, reflecting on their adventure. Their compelling recollections suggest that... perhaps a documentary would've been better.
06/20/08
The Children of Huang Shi is an old-fashioned story of courage and self-sacrifice in the face of war and deprivation. It's also sappy, boring and obvious.
06/20/08
It's a sturdy film, vivid if utterly workmanlike, that builds to a crescendo of personal sacrifice and misty noble uplift.
06/20/08
What should be a moving story is ruined by hideous acting and sloppy filmmaking.
06/15/08
The characters in The Children of Huang Shi can conquer famine, war, disease, natural disasters and addiction but not a truly horrible script.
06/13/08
If it doesn't measure up to the label "epic," it's still an engaging account of one man's journey through war and those circumstances that give meaning to the saying, "Heroes are made, not born."
06/13/08
Audiences tolerant of clichéd uplift may dab their eyes, but demanding moviegoers will look elsewhere.
06/13/08
Ah, white people. What can't they do?
06/12/08
A dull dramatization of -- and ill-fitting testament to -- British journalist George Hogg's experiences in war torn China.
06/12/08
Clearly made with the best of intentions but never anything but boring.
06/09/08
The Children of Huang Shi means well and actually has a solid story at its core. But what Spottiswoode and company do to that good story is unforgivable.
06/08/08
There's a feeling of skimming the surface of a true story that would be better served by being grittier or more challenging. As well, the narrative deserves more than an obvious and improbable love story between two good-looking movie stars.
06/07/08
It's a compelling story, with only a few jarring notes.
06/06/08
Too intense for kids but just right for sentimental, strong-stomachs adults who aren't too fussy about accuracy.
06/06/08
Latest News for The Children of Huang Shi
January 17, 2009:
Breathtaking photography, but Hollywood's view of history as usual, no matter where on the planet, as mere backdrop for the personal lives of glamorous white people. Casablanca meets the white man's burden, and doesn't amount to a hill of beans. 
More...
January 13, 2009:
Breathtaking photography, but Hollywood's view of history as usual, no matter where on the planet, as mere backdrop for the personal lives of glamorous white people. Casablanca meets the white man's burden, and doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
More...
April 21, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review
More...
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Best Dozen of the Decade
Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!
Top 50 of 2009
Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.
Santa's Naughty List
Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.
Top 10 Movies of 2009
TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.
Top 20 of the Decade
Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
RSS Feeds