I did not actually see this waxworks epic on either VHS or DVD,
but on 16mm as part of my college film society career. The
experience was so traumatic that I must put in my two yen here
anyway. This film is BORING! Sure, the production values are
lavish, and fans will find an all-star cast and gripping, exotic locations, but sheesh! There's an interesting start round about
the turn of the century, when anti-Western Chinese peasants rebel against
wealthy colonials who occupy their territory. Countless "boxers"
attack the foreigners, who hole up in a multinational compound
under the command of righteous Charlton Heston. Interesting, I
think, this parallels the Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis
of the late 70s (the memories of which were still fresh). But
then the plot just turns into a dull sort of romantic triangle
between Heston, a Russian Countess, and the Charming British Guy
(David Niven). Hardly anything but international stars in fancy
dress standing or cringing, talking for two hours. When one
character asked something like "How long have we been here?" and
another answers "55 days," a collective sigh of relief went up
among the audience; they knew that this tedium was at least
coming to some sort of conclusion, as per the title. Nicholas Ray
directed, hot after "Rebel Without a Cause." I think I heard he
underwent a breakdown on the set; in any case, I don't think it
was a very good match. Adding injury to insult, there's a closing
love theme crooned by Andy Williams, against hotel-room
watercolors of Chinese landscapes. Makes me appreciate Celine
Dion a lot more. I can think of a better movie about the Boxer
Rebellion of 1900: "Once Upon a Time in China Part II." Oh, and
a postscript: the college film society played this on a double
bill with "Khartoum," another colonialist saga starring Heston
which I believe is simply grand, but the ponderous "55 Days" just
dragged the good movie down, and most of the abused audience had
fled. Use the fast-forward a lot if you must watch. That is all.
Thanks for letting me vent.
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