55 Days at Peking’ Is Drama of the Boxer Rebellion in China – The New York Times

RUDYARD KIPLING was wrong. The East and the West do meet, constantly and explosively, in “55 Days at Peking,” which arrived yesterday, resplendent in vivid colors, on the vast, wide screens of the Palace, the R.K.O. 23d Street and the 85th Street Trans-Lux Theaters.As a fictional version of the final gasps of the dying Manchu Dynasty in and around the Forbidden City in 1000, it is no more historic than a Gene Autry epic. But Nicholas Ray, director; his associate, Andrew Marton; Philip Yordan and Bernard Gordon, the script writers, and an energetic cast have made these “55 Days” rousing, sometimes exciting, action fare that should keep the customers alert and entertained even if their intellects are confused.The fact of the matter is that the principals and the multitudinous extras involved have no more depth than Occidental and Oriental figures on a Chinese tapestry. And their actions—at least the reasons behind the actions of the principals — are rarely explored fully. Without authentic historic background, a viewer gets a foggy picture, if any, of the real causes of the Boxer Rebellion.With a variety of intertwined personal stories that are also superficial and vague in treatment, the characters of the principals remain largely one-dimensional. Charlton Heston, satisfactorily tough and stalwart as the U.S. Marine major, and David Niven, as the British envoy,—his is the outstandingly realistic acting stint in the film — are the leaders of the successful resistance to the rebellious Boxers.Ava Gardner, as an ill-fated, tarnished Russian baroness with whom Mr. Heston falls in love, appears to be merely haggard and tired in a role that could stand some elaboration. As the stoic despotic Empress, Flora Robson is simply an aloof, haughty figure as remote as a carved idol. Robert Helpmann is waspish as the Boxer leader and Leo Genn is phlegmatic as the understanding Chinese general who opposes his extremism.Kurt Kasznar, as the angry Russian envoy and relative of Miss Gardner; Paul Lukas, as a harried doctor; Harry Andrews, as a helpful priest, and John Ireland, as the Marine sergeant-sidekick of Mr. Heston, are not aided by their dialoguein brief and perfunctory appearances. Lynne Sue Moon, as a wistful half-caste orphan girl, does contribute a few genuinely appealing moments.But the film remains in memory for its flashing movement and fireworks. The producers were sensible enough to keep the dialogue, which is often banal, to a minimum.Although it was all done in and around Madrid, the sound and fury and beauty of these momentous “55 Days at Peking” are brought vividly to life. Most of the principals and their stories are not.

55 DAYS AT PEKING; original screenplay by Philip Yordan and Bernard Gordon; directed by Nicholas Ray with second unit directed by Andrew Marton; produced by Samuel Bronston and distributed by Allied Artists. At the Palace, Seventh Avenue and 47th Street; the R.K.O. 23d Street at Eighth Avenue and the 85th Street Trans-Lux, at Madison Avenue. Running time: 150 minutes.Maj. Matt Lewis . . . . . Charlton HestonBaroness Natalie Ivanoff . . . . . Ava GardnerSir Arthur Ribertson . . . . . David NivenLady Sarah Ribertson . . . . . Elizabeth SellarsDowager Empress Tzu Hsi . . . . . Flora RobsonSergeant Harry . . . . . John IrelandPrince Tuan . . . . . Robert HelpmannGeneral Jung-Lu . . . . . Leo GennBaron Sergei Ivanoff . . . . . Kurt KasznarFather de Bearn . . . . . Harry AndrewsTeresa . . . . . Lynne Sue MoonDr. Steinfeldt . . . . . Paul LukasLieut. Andy Marshall . . . . . Jerome Thor