This film is part of Free

Inside China Today
From the crowded streets of Chungking to the Communist controlled north, the March of Time cameras show the lives of China’s peasants, soldiers and politicians.
Overview
The bravery and endurance of the Chinese people forms the theme of this panoramic survey from the March of Time. Footage of barefoot soldiers, peasants with wooden ploughs and labourers flattening airstrips with primitive rollers show the stoical qualities of the country’s 450 million people in their long struggle against Japan. The tensions between Chiang-Kai Shek’s Kuomintang and Mao Tse Tung’s Communists are hinted at: naturally the commentary hopes that democracy will prevail.
This issue criticises American journalists for attacking anti-democratic elements in the Kuomintang, and champions the likes of Soong Ching-ling, (the widow of Sun-yat Sen, founder of the Republic of China). This prickly attitude can be traced to the March of Time’s peculiar relationship with the Chinese leader. According to newsreel historian Raymond Fielding, Henry Luce, the chairman of the Time-Life magazine empire - and ultimate owner of The March of Time - regarded Chiang kai-Shek as off-limits as far as criticism went. Richard de Rochement recalls that ‘We felt we were on the side of the angels in most cases with the possible exception of Chiang kai-Shek, whom we regarded as a protege of Mr Luce”.
Related

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.