City of Life and Death

Name: City of Life and Death
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: May 11, 2011
Duration: 132 min
Rating: 85

2011

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino International | Release Date: May 11, 2011 | R

Summary: In December 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army laid siege to the Chinese capital of Nanking, killing as many as 300,000 citizens during a six-week reign of terror, the details of which Japan and China dispute to this day. Shot in dazzling black-and-white Cinemascope, City of Life and Death is a visionary re-telling of one of the most horrificIn December 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army laid siege to the Chinese capital of Nanking, killing as many as 300,000 citizens during a six-week reign of terror, the details of which Japan and China dispute to this day. Shot in dazzling black-and-white Cinemascope, City of Life and Death is a visionary re-telling of one of the most horrific chapters in modern Asian history, and an unforgettable masterpiece of contemporary world cinema. (Kino International)… Expand

Director: Chuan Lu

Genre(s): Drama, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 132 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Manohla Dargis

May 12, 2011

City of Life and Death isn't cathartic: it offers no uplifting moments, just the immodest balm of art. The horrors it represents can be almost too difficult to watch, yet you keep watching because Mr. Lu makes the case that you must. Read full review

100

David Lewis

Sep 22, 2011

City of Life and Death, a stunning re-creation of the Japanese army's annihilation of Nanking in 1937, will make you flinch, even as you admire its brilliant black-and-white cinematography, breathtaking art design and unerring direction. Read full review

100

Kenneth Turan

Nov 16, 2011

Harrowing and unflinching, a savage nightmare so consuming and claustrophobic you will want to leave but fear to go, City of Life and Death is a cinematic experience unlike any you've had before. It's a film strong enough to change your life, if you can bear to watch it at all. Read full review

Wesley Morris

Jun 5, 2011

Here the Japanese senses of honor and of shame are particularly entangled. Later in the film, Lu mounts an Imperial Army parade through the Nanking ruins. It's something to see. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Jun 18, 2011

Despite its blunt characterizations and simplifications, City of Life and Death, through the inexorable pileup of gruesome detail, achieves an epic vision of horror. Read full review

Scott Tobias

May 12, 2011

The film never feels entirely staid: Lu wriggles out of convention where he can, especially in the first half, and engages with history as an artist, not a hagiographer. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

May 10, 2011

The movie skips along episodically; it's not quite as sharp as a war narrative needs to be, even if its nightmarish psychology feels spot-on. Read full review

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User Reviews

Canisrah

Nov 5, 2011

A profound, heart-rending, and utterly moving experience. Engaging as it is tragic, this episode of history is retold in a manner that is both horrific and beautiful. I shall never forget it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MorriBey

May 28, 2011

A true masterpiece. A Schindler's List for the Nanking civilians. The black and white added to the authenticity of the movie. A true eye opener into the other conflict during WW2 .

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dotunfolded

Jul 7, 2011

This movie is worth watching solely for its craftsmanship, its cinematography and reconstruction of the war zone are among the best in my recent memory. Yet it is its blunt content that pierce through the softest spot of all human beings. I just felt lucky when I walked out the cinema.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesL

Aug 19, 2011

As of Agust, this is the best film I have seen this year. Grim but realistic, I was informed and horrified. Several questions kept running through my mind. Why did China take so long to clear this film for release? Did every Japanese have to be a devil? Why have the Japanese resistedAs of Agust, this is the best film I have seen this year. Grim but realistic, I was informed and horrified. Several questions kept running through my mind. Why did China take so long to clear this film for release? Did every Japanese have to be a devil? Why have the Japanese resisted admitting the truth about their actions during the 1930's and 40's? Why are they so stubborn? What happened to John Rabe when he returned to Nazi Germany and how did this affect his views. I also like the way the "comfort women's conditions were shown. No sugarcoating it as we men need to realize what is going on. This film will be on my 2011 Top Ten list.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dreweastwood

Nov 18, 2012

The film is about the chinise village of Natking during world war 2 and the shocking truth of one of the jappanse worse war crimes. The film dipicts the truth so well of how the jappanese and chinise would of acted in this dreadful carnage and atrosity, But the fine line of filming thisThe film is about the chinise village of Natking during world war 2 and the shocking truth of one of the jappanse worse war crimes. The film dipicts the truth so well of how the jappanese and chinise would of acted in this dreadful carnage and atrosity, But the fine line of filming this movie in black and white was a perfect desition that kinda reminded me of Schindlers List, aswell as many other war film classics. A truly must see film with splended acting, directing and cinemtography it will leave you breathless to the final scene.… Expand

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