Rent City of War (2009)
3.6 of 5 from 66 ratings
2h 9min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
As the globe stands on the brink of World War II, Shanghai has fallen and deadly Japanese bombers target the infamous city of Nanking. As panic breaks out and savage bombing raids devastate the city, veteran entrepreneur John Rabe, a German living the high life in the social whirl of Nanking, must make a agonizing choice: to flee or give sanctuary to the terrified population within the gates of his factory. When the Imperial Japanese Army discovers rich "Nazi" Rabe's selfless operation, they see it an act of high treason. As a wave of brutality is unleashed on Nanking, Rabe and his comrades find themselves in a race against time to fight for a safety zone to protect the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims of this ultimate act of war. But as the bombings desist, a perilous siege begins. - Actors:
- Ulrich Tukur, Daniel Brühl, Steve Buscemi, Anne Consigny, Dagmar Manzel, Jingchu Zhang, Teruyuki Kagawa, Mathias Herrmann, Tetta Sugimoto, Akira Emoto, Arata Iura, Shaun Lawton, Christian Rodska, Gottfried John, Fang Yu, Ming Li, Dong Fu Lin, Togo Igawa, Wenkang Yuan, Yi Ming Qi
- Directors:
- Florian Gallenberger
- Producers:
- Benjamin Herrmann, Mischa Hofmann, Jan Mojto
- Voiced By:
- Andrea Sawatzki
- Writers:
- Florian Gallenberger, John Rabe
- Aka:
- John Rabe / City of War: The Story of John Rabe
- Studio:
- Metrodome
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Drama
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like: Raise the Red Lantern, Films to Watch If You Like...
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 03/05/2010
- Run Time:
- 134 minutes
- Languages:
- Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- The Making Of 'City Of War' - Go Behind the Spectacular Recreation of the Siege of Nanking and Discover the Thrilling Story of One of History's Most Extraordinary Heroes
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Reviews (1) of City of War
A thoroughly enjoyable, intelligent, fascinating modern classic about 'the Rape of Nanking' 1937 - City of War review by PV
I tend to dislike far eastern movies because of the vast spectacle and gloss, with way too much CGI - plus the Chinese nationalism often, and thin character development. I and dislike martial arts etc.
However, this is a German film set and filmed - brilliantly - in China. It is, in a word, a cinematic classic so I have no idea why it has passed me by until now.
It follows the fascinating story of German Siemens manager in Nanking, John Rabe, a man of his time - 1937 - a loyal Nazi who has to confront his own conflicted loyalties as he endures the infamous 'Rape of Nanking' in December 1937. His story was unknown to me - but I knew of Nanking, a prelude to WWII really.
This whole film is brilliant - the writing, acting, sets, locations, the music (some written by the brilliant actor who plays Rabe) - massive international casts too. The CGI is there - as to be there - BUT is well-done and not intrusive. It is just right.
Watch the EXTA half hour film on how it was made.
One of the best war films - and best German films - I have ever seen. A very intelligent, balanced telling of a little known story. I shall probably watch it a again soon.
You can also watch Steve Buscemi drunkenly dancing and singing 'Hitler has only got one ball' (which we used to sing as kids!) accompanied by main actor Ulrich Tukur on piano (which he plays very well). What more could you want in a movie?
Watch to the end to read what happened to some characters.
My only gripe, and it is a small one, is the very end scene (no spoilers). No need to quite so slavishly follow clappy-happy Hollywood modern movie convention.
5 stars.
Tbh this film should have won best foreign film Oscar (though another excellent Nazi-set film The Counterfeiters won that year).
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