Feature2012·145m·6.7

Back to 1942

History should never be forgotten.

WarDrama

In 1942, Henan Province was devastated by one of the most tragic famines in modern Chinese history, resulting in the deaths of at least three million men, women and children. Although the primary cause of the famine was a severe drought, it was exacerbated by locusts, windstorms, earthquakes, epidemic disease and the corruption of the ruling Kuomintang government.

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Cast

Zhang Guoli

Fan Dianyuan

Xu Fan

Hua Zhi

Zhang Mo

Shuan Zhu

Zhang Hanyu

An Ximan

Chen Daoming

Jiang Jieshi

Adrien Brody

Theodore Harold White

Tim Robbins

Bishop Megan

Wang Ziwen

Xing Xing

Fan Wei

Lao Ma

Feng Yuanzheng

Xia Lu

Alec Su You-peng

Song Ziwen

Li Xuejian

Li Peiji

Lü Zhong

Zhang Fang's Mother

Qiao Zhenyu

Secretary Han

Ke Lan

Song Meiling

Li Qian

Master Fan's Daughter-in-Law

Zhao Yi

Master Fan's Son

Alfred Hsing

Refugee

Zhang Shaohua

Xia Lu's Mother

Duan Yihong

Chen Bulei

Details

Status
Released
Original language
Languages
Japanese, English
Budget
Revenue
$311
Age rating
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
JCE MoviesChongoing Film GroupBon Voyage Film StudioShanghai Media Group 上海文化广播影视集团 (SMG)Zhejiang Film & TelevisionHunan Broadcasting System

Crew

Director

Feng Xiaogang

Writers

Liu Zhenyun, Liu Zhenyun

Zhao Jiping

Original Music Composer

Timothy Yip Gam-Tim

Costume Design

Lü Yue

Director of Photography

Haiying Shi

Production Design

Gallery

Reviews

deepkino

7/5/2025

6.0

A masterpiece adapted from Liu Zhenyun's novel, focusing on the death of 3,000,000 people due to hunger and cold during the westward migration from the Henan region in 1942, triggered by Japan’s war on China. Although IMDb lists Tim Robbins and Adrien Brody among the leads, their roles are limited to no more than few scenes. The film is entirely built around Guoli Zhang, who portrays a feudal landlord of the time. The cinematography and acting are incredibly strong, immersing the viewer in the era with striking realism.