The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)

In the bustling decade of the 1930s, an unassuming Englishwoman named Gladys Aylward embarks on a journey that will change her life forever. Determined to leave her working-class life in Liverpool behind, she heads to London, fueled by a burning desire to join the China Missionary Society. However, her dreams are dashed when she's turned away due to her ordinary schooling and lack of qualifications. Undeterred, Gladys scrapes a living as a maid, painstakingly saving every penny until she can afford a train ticket to Tientsin, China. From there, she ventures on a mule through the rugged terrain to the remote province of Wangcheng, where she finds herself working at the Inn of the Sixth Happiness alongside Jeannie Lawson, an Englishwoman, and Yang, a local cook. When tragedy strikes, leaving Gladys without the means to run the inn, she accepts an unexpected role as a "foot inspector" from the Mandarin Hsien Chang. Embracing her newfound responsibilities, Gladys travels through the countryside, actively promoting the government's law against the binding of Chinese girls' feet. Her success in this role leads her to adopt a new identity, becoming Jen-ai, "the one who loves people", a transformation that leaves the sceptical Captain Lin Nan intrigued. However, Gladys' destiny takes a dramatic twist when the Japanese invade Wangcheng. With a fierce determination and a heart full of courage, she embarks on a perilous journey across the mountains with a hundred children in tow, vowing to save them from the impending doom. As she navigates the challenges of war, she discovers her true calling, becoming a beacon of hope for the children and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness is a drama movie featuring Ingrid Bergman and directed by Mark Robson.

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