John Rabe

"In Gallenberger's film, the Chinese are allowed onscreen as victims only." - Andrew Schenker

Kudos for the accomplishments of John Rabe's efforts to save people during the rape of Nanjing, but this movie is way too lighthearted and has too much of a western dressing over it. If you're really interested in this subject I suggest you watch City of Life and Death (2009).

The acting here outweighs the slightly slanted historical portrayal of the Nanking massacre. Although it is mostly told from a Western perspective, it doesn't truly delve into the atrocities committed during the massacre. Although portraying those would hardly make for a good drama, rather a terribly depressing horror movie. So having said that, it is possible to enjoy this film on the merits of the cast, who certainly do a wonderful job.

This is a rare film that uses a wide array of great actors from Germany, Japan, China, and America to portray an infamous historical event. Despite the positives the sheer scale of the atrocities of Nanking fall short of being realistically portrayed. The viciousness and inhumanity of the massacre was truly mind numbing in scope and would have benefited from a look that was closer to the actual events with minimal pandering to conventional dramatic expectations.

Well directed. Awesome.