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Poster for 55 Days at Peking

55 Days at Peking

Seen it?

1963 | 154 min | History, War, Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

It's still drawing plenty of interest, but middling reviews (57% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a box office loss held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

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 Empire of the Sun or Sergeant York, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 2 hr 34 min.
  • Made in 1963: an older pace and style.

Diplomats, soldiers and other representatives of a dozen nations fend off the siege of the International Compound in Peking during the 1900 Boxer Rebellion. The disparate interests unite for survival despite competing factions, overwhelming odds, delayed relief and tacit support of the Boxers by the Empress of China and her generals.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    57% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $10 million worldwide on a $17 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 138K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Nicholas Ray

  • Charlton HestonMaj. Matt Lewis
  • Ava GardnerBaroness Natalie Ivanoff
  • David NivenSir Arthur Robertson
  • Flora RobsonDowager Empress Tzu-Hsi
  • John IrelandSgt. Harry
  • Harry AndrewsFather de Bearn
  • Leo GennGen. Jung-Lu
  • Robert HelpmannPrince Tuan
  • Kurt KasznarBaron Sergei Ivanoff
  • Philippe LeroyJulliard