Overview
An Englishwoman's journey to find her true calling leads her to a war-torn land where she becomes a beacon of hope.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- uplifting
- romantic
- classic cinema night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize an affecting, lavishly mounted biographical drama led by Ingrid Bergman's committed performance, while acknowledging that its treatment of Gladys Aylward's life can feel shallow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The narrative follows English missionary Gladys Aylward from domestic work in London to humanitarian work in China.
Gladys assumes responsibility for saving Chinese children after Japan invades China.
Gladys travels from England to China and builds a life within a remote Chinese community.
The long-form studio presentation combines romance, missionary work, local politics, and wartime danger.
Films like The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, and why
A Passage to India
shared biographical drama, wartime humanitarianism, and emotionally earnest international setting
The African Queen
shared classic epic drama, cross-cultural encounter, and romantic idealism
Schindler's List
shared true-story war drama centered on protecting civilians and moral courage
The Mission
shared missionary setting, imperial-era adventure, and sweeping melodramatic tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Mark Robson
- Release Date
- 1958-11-23
- Runtime
- 154 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (87)
Cast
- Ingrid Bergman
- Curd Jürgens
- Burt Kwouk
- Robert Donat
- Tsai Chin
- Richard Wattis
- Athene Seyler
- Ronald Squire
- Michael David
- Peter Chong
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Inn of the Sixth Happiness about?
- An indomitable English missionary builds a new life in China before wartime upheaval turns her vocation into a desperate rescue mission for endangered children.
- What is The Inn of the Sixth Happiness like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Inn of the Sixth Happiness violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness as mild.
- What did critics think of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness?
- Critics broadly recognize an affecting, lavishly mounted biographical drama led by Ingrid Bergman's committed performance, while acknowledging that its treatment of Gladys Aylward's life can feel shallow.
- Which films are like The Inn of the Sixth Happiness?
- Films with a similar feel include A Passage to India, The African Queen, Schindler's List, and The Mission.
- How long is The Inn of the Sixth Happiness?
- The Inn of the Sixth Happiness runs 154 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Inn of the Sixth Happiness?
- In United States, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
