Nanking

MPAA Rating:

for disturbing images and descriptions of wartime atrocities, including rape

Moral Rating:

_____

E-mail this page to a friend

Moviemaking Quality:

Primary Audience:

Adults

Genre:

Documentary, History

Length:

1 hr. 28 min.

Year of Release:

2007

USA Release:

December 12, 2007
VD: April 29, 2008

Relevant Issues

Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer

What about the issue of suffering? Doesn’t this prove that there is no God and that we are on our own? Answer

Does God feel our pain? Answer

The Origin of bad—How did bad things come about? Answer

What kind of world would you create? Answer

Featuring:	Hugo Armstrong, Rosalind Chao, Stephen Dorff, John Getz, Woody Harrelson, Mariel Hemingway, Michelle Krusiec, Leah Liang, Chris Mulkey, Jürgen Prochnow, Sonny Saito, Graham Sibley, Mark Valley, Robert Wu
Director:	Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman
Producer:	Violet Du Feng, Bill Guttentag, Joann Jacobs, Michael Jacobs, John Junkerman, Ted Leonsis, Karen Lin, Dylan Nelson, Dylan Nelson, Katie Strand, Katie Strand, Izumi Tanaka, Makiko Wakai
Distributor:	ThinkFilm

“Even in the darkest of times there is light. The true story of how a few brave souls saved the lives of thousands.”

Producer’s synopsis: “‘Nanking’ tells the story of the rape of Nanking, one of the most tragic events in history. In 1937, the invading Japanese army murdered over 200,000 and raped tens of thousands of Chinese. In the midst of the horror, a small group of Western expatriates banded together to save 250,000—an act of extraordinary heroism. Bringing an event little-known outside of Asia to a global audience, ‘Nanking’ shows the tremendous impact individuals can make on the course of history. It is a gripping account of light in the darkest of times.”

Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie — Request this assignment

Movie Critics

…Indispensable, beautifully crafted account of a little-known Japanese massacre… Some of the most chilling images come from home movies shot by a minister and smuggled out of the country in the coat lining of another safety zone foreigner.…
—James Greenberg, The Hollywood Reporter

…Though it’s a work of nonfiction, ‘Nanking’ follows the ‘Schindler’s List’ model in using a story of survival and individual heroism to shed light on the unspeakable.…
—Justin Chang, Variety

…powerful documentary…
—Lou Lumenick, New York Post

…Portrait of a tragedy fails to live up to its subject matter… Seemingly endless stories of rape, murder and other vile acts drive home the gravity of the topic.…
—Geoff Berkshire, Metromix