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Poster for Devils on the Doorstep

Devils on the Doorstep

Seen it?

2001 | 139 min | Drama, War

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Bridge on the River Kwai or Empire of the Sun, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 19 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Chinese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

During the Japanese occupation of China, two prisoners are dumped in a peasant's home in a small town. The owner is bullied into keeping the prisoners until the next New Year, at which time they will be collected. The village leaders convene to interrogate the prisoners. The townspeople then struggle to accommodate the prisoners. One is a bellicose Japanese nationalist, the other a nervous translator. Will the townspeople manage to keep the prisoners until the New Year?

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    91% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    8.2 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $20K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 14K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jiang Wen

  • Jiang WenMa Dasan
  • Jiang HongboYu'er
  • Teruyuki KagawaKosaburo Hanaya
  • David WuMajor Gao
  • Yuan DingDong Hanchen
  • Cong ZhijunGrandfather
  • Li CongxiLiu Wang
  • Li HaibinMe
  • Kenya SawadaInokichi Sakatsuka
  • Chen ShuQiye