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Back to 1942

2012·Movie
2h 25min·NR

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Back to 1942 fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Spectacular

  • Spectacle7
  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Satire & Parody2

World

History, society, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Novelty6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

History should never be forgotten.

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.
Historical TragedyChinese FamineSocial CommentaryPolitical CorruptionEpic ScaleHuman SufferingHeart-WrenchingWar-Torn EraEmotional Drama

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Back to 1942

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Back to 1942 legally?

Back to 1942 is included with a subscription to Hi-YAH in the United States. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Back to 1942 worth watching?

50
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 50/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 36%, and Metacritic 41). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Back to 1942 rated?

NRViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Back to 1942?

2 h 25 min

Back to 1942 runs 2 h 25 min.

Is Back to 1942 based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Back to 1942?

Critics39
Audiences60

Not quite. Audiences rate Back to 1942 higher (60) than critics (39). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is Back to 1942 in?

ChineseJapaneseEnglish

It was made in Chinese, with some Japanese, English. Produced in China, Hong Kong SAR China.

In how many countries can I watch Back to 1942?

12ATAUCHDEGBIELILUNZPLTWUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Back to 1942 in 12 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.