Watch Back to 1942

Back to 1942 is a historical drama film directed by Feng Xiaogang, released in 2012. The film tells the story of a devastating famine that took place in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1942. The movie is based on the novel Remembering 1942 by Liu Zhenyun, and features a star-studded cast including Guoli Zhang, Hanyu Zhang, and Wei Fan.

The film follows the story of two families during the famine. The first family includes Master Fan (Zhang Guoli), a wealthy landowner who is forced to flee his home when the Japanese Army invades his village. Fan, along with his servants, makes a treacherous journey south to find safety from the Japanese troops. The second family includes a journalist named Theodore Harold White (Adrien Brody) and his Chinese assistant (Zhang Hanyu) who travel to Henan Province to cover the famine.

As the story progresses, the two families’ lives become intertwined as they struggle to survive during one of the darkest times in Chinese history. The film depicts the horrific consequences of the famine, including widespread starvation, disease, and death. Back to 1942 offers a stark portrayal of the suffering and devastation experienced by the Chinese people during this period.

The movie is a harrowing representation of the famine, showing the immense scale of hunger and poverty that resulted in the deaths of three million people. Despite the bleak and sorrowful story, the film is masterfully directed, with breathtaking cinematography and a compelling score. Feng Xiaogang beautifully captures the harsh reality of life during wartime, and the human tragedy that ensued.

One of the standout features of Back to 1942 is the incredible acting performances from the cast. Guoli Zhang delivers a powerful performance as the wealthy Fan, who discovers empathy and compassion despite his wealth and privilege. His relationship with his servant Shuanzhu (Zhang Mo) and his son Xiangzi (Li Xuejian) is particularly touching, adding a humanizing element to this wealthy character.

Hanyu Zhang is equally phenomenal as the young Chinese assistant to the American journalist, bringing depth and humanity to his role. Adrien Brody, despite only being in a few scenes, is commanding when he is on screen, bringing his characteristic gravitas to the role of a man desperate to help the starving Chinese population.

The film’s historical accuracy is impressive in depicting an important and tragic event in Chinese history. The movie takes pains to research and accurately represent the setting and time period, and viewers can gain a valuable perspective on what life was like for the Chinese at the time. As one of the most devastating famines in human history, the events depicted in Back to 1942 are a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and empathy during times of crisis.

In conclusion, Back to 1942 is a masterfully directed and acted film that provides a searing look into the famine that took place in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1942. The movie accurately portrays the devastating effects of the famine, offering a unique perspective into one of the darkest periods of Chinese history. Despite the difficult subject matter, the film is an important contribution to the cultural dialogue and a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and unity during times of crisis.

Back to 1942 is a 2012 war movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 41.