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In the 1944 movie "Dragon Seed," legendary actress Katharine Hepburn stars as Jade, a Chinese peasant living in a small village with her family. The village is in danger, as the invading Japanese army is slowly advancing through China, seizing more and more territory. When the Japanese finally reach Jade's village, the villagers are helpless to stop them. After witnessing unspeakable atrocities committed by the Japanese soldiers, Jade and her family resolve to fight back.

"Dragon Seed" is a powerful anti-war drama that highlights the plight of the Chinese people during World War II. The film was based on a best-selling novel of the same name by Chinese author Pearl S. Buck, and offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary Chinese citizens during this dark period in their history.

The film boasts a talented cast, including Hepburn in one of her most memorable roles. Hepburn delivers a strong and nuanced performance as Jade, conveying the character's determination and sense of duty to protect her family and her homeland. Walter Huston, Aline MacMahon, and Akim Tamiroff also give strong performances as Jade's fellow villagers, each with their own unique perspective on the war and the encroaching Japanese threat.

The film is notable for its depiction of the Chinese resistance to the Japanese invasion. While Hollywood had previously portrayed Chinese characters as submissive and passive, "Dragon Seed" shows the courageous efforts of ordinary citizens to fight back against their oppressors. The film also sheds light on the atrocities committed by the Japanese army during their invasion, including the use of chemical weapons on civilian populations.

As the film progresses, Jade and her family must find a way to resist the Japanese army and protect their village. They use their knowledge of the land and their own ingenuity to outsmart the invaders, leading to several intense and gripping action sequences. The film also explores the toll that the war takes on Jade and her family, both physically and emotionally, as they are forced to confront the brutal realities of war.

Overall, "Dragon Seed" is a thought-provoking and powerful film that serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1944, and continues to be remembered as a landmark example of Hollywood's commitment to highlighting the experiences of underrepresented groups during wartime.

Dragon Seed is a 1944 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.