The Inn of the Sixth Happiness1958The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
1958
Gladys Aylward, a London parlor maid turned down by a missionary society, spends her savings to get to China on her own. She runs an inn in a remote province, wins the respect of the local mandarin, and leads a hundred orphans to safety when the Japanese invade.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A woman no one thought qualified goes to China on her own and leads a hundred children across the mountains. A true story of faith and courage.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
An off-screen beheading, a prison riot with blood, and Japanese bombing with casualties including children are intense. Gladys falls in love with a Chinese officer (chaste), and the foot-binding custom is shown.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Gladys go to China on her own?
- How did she stop the prison riot?
- What gave her strength on the journey with the children?
- Which child do you remember most?
Content advisory
IMDb parents guide (via WebSearch): an off-screen beheading; a prison riot with an axe strike and some blood; bombing with casualties, including children shot.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness Blu-ray (Fox Studio Classics)
Blu-ray · February 4, 2014
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.