The film depicts Japan’s rape of China’s then capital, Nanking, through the eyes of an alcoholic Westerner (Christian Bale), innocent school children and a group of rowdy prostitutes (A very colourful band of survivors to be taking refuge in a church, to say the least).

Chinese writers Heng Liu and Geling Yan, and director Yimou Zhang created a fictional tale rather than basing the story on documented events. After reading some of the historical documents on the massacre that took place in 1937, I think they made the right decision. They crafted relatable characters and brought us into their horrid world effectively.

I had a hard time watching the grotesque acts of the Japanese soldiers, but it did not deter my enjoyment of the film. It actually motivated me to research this stain on human history.

Having a fictitious Westerner as the ultimate hero in this film no doubt ruffled a few critical feathers. Regardless of the historical inaccuracy, Christian Bale added dimension with his first-rate performance which justified this imperfect character’s inclusion. Not to be overshadowed by Bale, every child and adult actor gave the same level of commitment to their roles.

For the DVD release, we’re treated to one of the best special feature sets I’ve ever seen. The features include The Birth of The Flowers of War, Meeting Christian Bale, The Newborn Stars, Hard Time During War, and finally, Perfection of Light and Colour. Each feature gives you an in-depth look into every aspect of production, from casting, training, shooting, colour design, make-up, etc. This is a wonderful experience for all those interested in the filmmaking process.

Bottom Line: This DVD release hits a home run with a fantastic film and bountiful special features to boot!

Movie Grade A
Blu Ray Grade A

Runtime: 143 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.4:1