User Reviews

China cry is a movie of course based on the life of a Christian Chinese women (Neng yee, aka Nora Lam) whom is suffering at the hands of the Chinese government. After seeing China cry I was compelled to read the book. To tell you the truth they cut out so much information in the original story, that when they made this movie they lost important parts of Neng yee's life that should have been shared. That is a tad disappointing. Now I realize that in order for China cry to have fit in a proper running time it had to be chopped. But the movie would have been much more enjoyable if they would have mentioned a little more of her childhood and her life after going to Hong Kong (she moved to America and went on crusading throughout America and China -among other things-).

Predictably, you will see two different types of ratings. The movie gets generally high marks from believers, despite the valid criticisms from those who are not quite as enthusiastic. Why is that? One reason is the history of Christian film making is different from that of other types of studios. We in the church are used to seeing movies with actors and extras who are (probably unpaid) church members or Bible college students. We do not expect to be knocked out of our seats by a great star or astounding special effects. Not only that, but the thrust is different. Movies are made primarily to get a message out, not to make money. Believers are more interested in the purity of the message than its package.

The purity of the message of "China Cry" makes it a great movie and well worth the time of anyone.

I have seen the movie more than 10 years ago and I haven't forgotten it due to the strong impact it left me. The "superhuman" traits of the main female character has struck me to the very core of my being, not being able to fully comprehend how she has survived all the odds she has faced. It has inspired me personally on my quest to find my true happiness and I am very happy to say that I have. I really am thankful and blessed to have seen the movie.

I recommend it as a movie that will change one's life for the better forever.It will also help you get to know yourself well as you will question one's humanity and understanding of enduring suffering for the sake of love and one's dignity.

From the movie, these words of wisdom have never been so true: If there's a will, there's a way and no pain, no gain, among others.

This movie made me question my own sincerity of faith.

One can only pray that the Lord will provide special graces to anyone who ever faces that level of persecution. In, and of myself, I would never be able to withstand such mistreatment.

I look at how coddled and spoiled I am socially as a professing Christian in the USA, and have to really wonder how much I would truly be able to withstand under such harsh situations.

I have heard Nora Lam's testimony, and I can hardly imagine what it would be like to have to stand firm under any "real" persecution.

Just to think that such things even still go on today around the world, is a painful reality.

Having spent most of a decade living in The People's Republic of China, I feel that this movie gives an accurate portrayal of that period. I was in China as an English teacher and worked in four different universities while there. I was able to talk to a lot of people and heard many horror stories about what took place in China after the Revolution in the 50's. The mass persecution of Christians still goes on, and many are continuing to lose their lives and their freedom, simply because they are Christians. Most people my age did not have any photos of themselves or their families taken while they were growing up. During the Cultural Revolution photos (and most anything else like musical instruments, art, foreign clothing, books, or even nicer furniture) were not allowed and were destroyed or buried, as you could be severely punished for having them, since they were considered "foreign" I even heard of a lady putting her family photos in soup ( when her house was being searched by Red Guards) to get rid of them lest she be caught. There were Mao statutes everywhere, and I was told that if you did take a photo with one of them in the background and cut of his head in the picture, that you could be punished or even killed. Teachers were taken out of the classroom in front of their students and paraded through town wearing dunce caps. It was a terrible, terrible, time especially if you were an educated person or desired to think for yourself.

I saw this movie a few years ago. I was quite moved by it. It's a wonderful story of courage. Also, it's refreshingly honest, unlike most of the movies out there today. I totally recommend it to everyone.

The acting is great. And Julia Nickson-Sole is convincing as Sung.

As a result of the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy family is displaced from their home and divested of their servants. The Commie replacement government was not very sympathetic toward this type of family either.

Now we see what is happening in degrees as she phased out of her cushy surroundings. She actually tries to comply with the new environment and approves of it.

Then the government helps her to learn about Christianity by accusing her of going to a Christian school as a child. She tries to explain that she only went to school and that did not make her Christian. The unbending government makes her suffer until in her confusion she turns to Christianity in hopes of a cure for the situation.

I have no disrespect to any believers, but I was moved into watching this movie as it appeared to be historically relevant, however, as the movie progressed history turned into religion, and the message was more about god than the actual Chinese historical plot. It was a real let-down in this sense; showing deception through disbelieving and the mischief it could cause in ones life.

There is some relevance to the events that took place, although I can also say there is a bias to towards an anti-communist ideal. If you're looking for an informative movie about the revolutionary dealings that took place in China, this surely is not what you're looking for. It is true that brutal things took place, and baring in mind the fact that I am not writing here as a socialist, it carried typical anti-communist western values.

The caption of the movie claims "courage" to be the main element, where as I would change that to "faith".

In my opinion, I'd say this film is over-rated.

Tremendous Faith shown by a woman who was not sure of how she felt about Jesus until the communist tried to beat it out of her. She had God's divine protection when a firing squad was ordered to shoot her. True story of God's Love in Action Everyone who is not sure that God is real needs to read the book or watch the movie. You will be moved to tears to see that God is still Alive and well and watching over His own. Inspirational, courageous, suspenseful. A great film I give it a 10+

I think it was a movie well done. It is an inspiring story of faith, and hope. It was the act of taking a stand for something you believe in. And not really giving up on it no matter what. The end really got me, something that seemed so impossible,(to me)was actually accomplished. Somethings that did happen in the film were frightening.However, there was a lot of courage,and strength. Which showed the goodness and the awesomeness of God.God always seems to work things out. AWESOME! The leading actress was wonderful,the acting of all of the actors were great. All in all, it was a great movie. Highly recommend. Two thumbs way way up! 10 out of 10 definitely.

I was prepared for this movie to be sub-par. However, I did not think that this movie would sink this low whatsoever. To say this movie brings out the best in Christianity, TBN, and Chinese culture would be greatly misleading. In fact its an insult to people who study Asia or Christianity at any length.

The beginning of the movie begins in "1941" in "Shanghai". I use quotations because I don't believe either to be true. Somehow Japanese troops take their house and bomb the pond. And when the Japanese troops spoke Japanese, the subtitle was "Asian Talking".

But that confusion is not all. Somehow, we are transported to the 1950s in a post-Civil War China. Yet, little damage is seen to Shanghai. I highly doubt the city was fully rebuilt in only a few years, especially after years of conflict.

Somehow, through writing, she becomes Christian again because she could hear God in the wind and chalkboard. Yet, everybody is speaking English. But when Mandarin Chinese (I assume its Mandarin) is spoken, its also couched as "Asian Talking". But not only that, its usually only spoken in a 'evil' tone.

In dealing with the CCP authorities, she doesn't say the right things and it lead to more hardship. Her arrogant tone in trying to have a hate/hate relationship with the authorities has nothing to do with being Christian. In fact, her character was mostly counter-productive.

She marries, has kids, but lives in a camp for a while. Why? Because she is moronic and didn't flee to Hong Kong earlier. Neither did her father, who could have fled there long ago and avoided this stupidity.

Overall, the acting was phony. The story was ridiculous, especially if she claims she said all those things. I thought the effects were miserable. Why did they use American jeeps in the film? Why did her Chinese classroom have Filipinos, Indians, and a Japanese teacher trying to be "Chinese" students? This is a reason why TBN should NEVER make films if its focus is to win converts. Instead, it makes Christianity look bad. Only worth watching again for pain and laughter. "F"

I saw this movie on TBN, when they were playing it in honor of Nora Lam, of whom this movie is about. I totally agree with the message of this movie, because it gives hope to Christians who feel pressured by society, and it also shows Christians in America, that they should be thankful for the religious freedoms our government allows.

Terrific film that deeply and courageously brought to life a powerful figure in history. it always amazes me the number of 'critics' who attack a film because it discusses God. If 50% of the movies today discuss God, that would be another thing. But very few films even broach the subject. What does this tell you about supression of free speech?

"China Cry' boldly discusses the Chinese communist government's persecution of Christians. Mao Tse Tung killed hundreds of thousands of them - it's no joke. Nora Lam boldly fought for free speech and OK, she believed in God - so flame her.

The day I see one of these 'critics' risk their lives to save a starving child in Cambodia I'll think more positively towards their attacks on Christian/Catholic/Faith-based films. Even Buddhist films get trashed by these immature 'film auteurs'.

What's the matter with these people?

Thank goodness IMDb still allows free speech!

I wanted this movie to work, but ultimately it doesn't.

Good things about the movie: Abuse-of-power shown via a martial arts sparing match between a communist party heavy and a "citizen." Some of the acting is very good, including the leading lady. Depiction of "underground church" and characters good. Individual scenes typically well-scripted, but...well, I'll address the problem in the next paragraph. The basic premise; that one's affinity to the divine is a delicate thing that can't be explained nor explained away; does come across in the end.

Bad things: Generally, poor narrative, script, and scene organization. Lack of funds to do some of the scenes right (e.g., Japanese "invasion" by one soldier in an empty street pummeling a gate with his rifle butt). General clumsiness in use of voiceover. Motivation for last scene (leading lady walking across a desert expanse to meet her husband) not set up properly; confusing. Some of the character development in the area of abuses by party heavies is hyperbolic, and generally not believable. In general, movies that rely upon the depiction of a litany of atrocities committed by the-powers-that-be tend to be weak. I'm not saying that consciousness raising about these things is bad, it's just a question of the delicate balance you have to maintain in cinema when trying to communicate this. The "litany approach" doesn't cut it.

I conclude by citing this as yet-another example of the ascendency of true artistry over even divinely-inspired good intentions. I'm sorry to see that this continues to haunt "Christian" movies to this day (I'm writing in 2002). Some day these people will quit bellyaching about the Satanic plot that funnels all the money to secular themes and just come up with a compelling story, and get enough money and no-bullstuff talent to finally do the job right. Clue: Review Fellini's early narrative movies; relatively low budget, themes scaled to the human dimension, divine implications.

Sorry. I was raised in 'the Christian genre'. I suppose that I should have more sympathy for this movie, therefore. It may, in the end, be a compelling story about Communists suppressing another poor Christian, despite 'the communist constitution' (and, yes, even dissident Andrei Sakharov, a non-Christian, told the world, again and again, that the constitutions of many communist nations, like Canada's and the USA's, 'guarantees freedom of religion').

Oh, I became suspicious that this was one more 'Christian' production for the sake of boosting the low morales, and morals, of weakling 'christians'. After all, one must portray a 'true story' by, as the film's precursory text admits, 'compressing' the primary character's life down into short, intense dramas. I could not get beyond watching the pregnant heroine being kicked by a communist interrogator in her pregnant gut.

It may have been a true event but the contrived scene caused me to turn the DVD off.

Why? It is not just that the 1990 film is so jerky in its subtitles and its filming is so bad. The honesty behind what is the worth of telling the story is so forced in its presentation that it leaves me wondering how much of the story is 'compressed' for the sake of bad drama and good propaganda.

The problem becomes that shoddy art, and, worse, questions of whether the truth is being sacrificed for 'the sake of religion', does not justify suffering any 'true story' made into a film.

I am also sick of the repetitive productions, by 'Christian production companies' like this, that hide their banners "Produced by a Christian CORPORATION!" while they accuse 'commies', muslims and others of forcing their own friends into hiding. Good god, I sat in an Anglican church in Nipigon, Ontario as late as 2010 and listened to a Christian Gideon Bible thumper tell the tiny men in that tiny back room church room that a certain tribe of Abraham should have been exterminated millennia ago as the Jewish god apparently ordered in that 'old testament'. Instead those 'damned muslims' became so great in number, to leave 'us christians!' with the onerous task, by 2010, of exterminating masses of 'those Islamic rats'. Those sects, apparently descended from the same loins of the ancient man (Abraham) who supposedly spawned the fathers of the Jews and the Muslims and those christians and how many other murderous sects now claiming that the new sect of 'anti-religion', those damned commies, have no right to live, either.

So, when does TBN Films, the supposed production company behind this 'China Cry' start to make the films that vilify the antics of 'christians'? That is relevant because at least in the open world of independent films, there are films produced that criticize both commies and religious nut bars. Produced by the same production companies.

I have YET to see such navel gazing from these 'Christian production companies'.

So, when they do not navel gaze in self criticism, what makes the 'Christian film genre' any more credible than the nonsense coming out of commie North Korea, where navel gazing is not allowed? Is there a gun to the heads of the 'Christian nutbars' who create this stuff? If there were, then I might start to watch 'the Christian version of a story' to try to find the hidden agenda in their 'bad productions'.

I sicken of this propaganda from religious sects of all kinds. BUT, I am OFFENDED by the fact that these religious sects try to suck the rest of us into watching really BAD productions by refusing to post their big Jesus Christ crosses of idolatry at the front of their productions.

Oh, watch it if you must but I tossed it because we will never really know if this lady's professing that she 'encountered miracles!' is because there was 'a god of modern idolatry' involved. OR, if those people who were involved in the stomach kicking of pregnant women actually dared to turn to their superior commanding officers and ask "What does our constitution really say?" Something that American and Canadian 'christians' of too many sects are seemingly more and more reluctant to do inside our own nations.... when it comes to anyone who does not 'profess your Christianity!'

And what does all of this mean when it comes down to the 'Christian' icon's supposedly professed advice: that being honest to the truth removes any question as to what your motives really are?: To drag money out of the down and oppressed so that big cathedrals and monuments can be built to the benefit of what and who?

In other words, in a world where the 'Christian' enters the game of dishonesty in the first bars of who is making the presentation, the role of credibility in the purpose of the film, and hence the objectivity in the film itself, is lost.

This film was a waste of my time for 20 minutes AND, YES, I resent that. IF you are making a film with religious recruitment as your intent, GET HONEST! Post your christian cross or Islamic sword or... communist hammer and sickle at the start so that I know the purposeful twisting of the stories so that I can pull it out of the DVD within a minute instead of suffering so long that, instead of recruitment, you achieve resentment.

Why a 3 instead of a big fat ZERO? Wherever the production was made, it had some nice representative Asian architecture. And the male and female 'stars' were 'good eye candy' for awhile. Otherwise, phoooeeeeyyy! Don MacAlpine, Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Canada

"China Cry" evokes some of the same emotion as the East German setting from "The Lives of Others" or the mainstream film based in Iran "Not Without My Daughter". Like the film starring Sally Field as Betty Mahmoody, this Julia Nickson vehicle is a true story about Nora Lam. "Not Without My Daughter" is set in the 1980s, "China Cry" is set mostly in the 1950s.

Wicked government--that is, an all controlling central government-- claims to support freedom of religion, but doesn't. Freedom of thought? Don't think about it. Personal property rights? Not in Mao's China.

Yet the heroine of this film, through a struggle with her faith in Jesus and trying to understand the changing world, begins to cling ever more fervently to the God of the Bible.

The swelling music is a bit strong at times, but the acting and scenery are believable; it doesn't feel like a documentary, but a well staged biographical drama.

This movie shows the evils of totalitarianism, and the triumph of the human spirit.

The Communist Cultural Revolution in China is illustrated through one young woman's moving life experience. The themes explored are relevant to us in the West today, as our systems become more and more socialist and statist.

You think it can't happen here? It's happening already. See if you don't agree.

This movie shows how our God comes thru for His children. Sometimes not in the way or time we think that He should. When we except God's gift of His Son, Jesus into our lives; sometimes we fall away from that commitment to Him. That does not mean we are not His child anymore. He is so patient with us. He never forgets us. He is ALWAYS there for us. We are the ones who move away from Him. He is ALWAYS waiting for His children to return. He NEVER forces His will on us. It is amazing how during the hard times we find our true self. We see Jesus with open arms; waiting to carry us thru. God does not create evil. God is love. Evil comes from the devil. Here are two great companies who are helping the persecuted church around the world. www.livingwaters.com and www.persecution.com

A Very powerful movie a must see movie great acting powerful story line

This story is so moving but moreso because it's true. Communist China leaders are shown to be the brutal beasts that they are. I could really empathize with the main characters and feel their pain. There is one miraculous event that took my breath away. The actors did a great job of bringing Nora Lam's story to life.

This is a wonderful movie that the Lord has used several times to encourage me and show me what life could be like if I were living in places where the government is God. At one time, America was a Judeo Christian country but it's long past that now so there are many critics now and God haters on here putting down the movie. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is bc of the quality of the filming but it's a great story by a great woman of God and it really blessed me. Don't worry God haters, it won't be long before you meet your maker and I hope you're ready.