GoodWatchSign up

Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976

1994·Movie
1h 54min
81
GreatGoodWatch score

Watch

Set your services

Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Tense and violent

  • Tension8
  • Violence7
  • Scare4

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Nostalgia6

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Absurdist Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0
  • Wit & Wordplay0

World

History, politics, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability5
  • Dialogue Centrality4

Craft

Standout storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Complexity9
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something to laugh atYou need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrolling

Find more like it

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

About

The trilogy continues with The Mao Years, a look at the next period of modern China’s history: Mao Zedong’s rule, from 1949 to his death in 1976. The film begins with the celebrations marking the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, a moment of great hope for millions of Chinese. But the quarter-century of Mao’s rule was as turbulent as the decades which preceded it. Interludes of relative calm and increased prosperity were interrupted repeatedly by violent campaigns, purges, and a famine in which killed more than 30 million people. It culminated in Mao’s colossal and tragic experiment, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. When Mao died in 1976, people were exhausted by the turmoil and longed for stability.
Historical DocumentaryPolitical TragedyEducational ResourceSocietal CollapseFamine and PurgesCultural RevolutionArchival FootageHeavy Emotional TollComplex GeopoliticsMao Zedong Era

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:

Media

Questions about Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 8.2). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 rated?

ViolenceDisturbing imagery

Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976?

1 h 54 min

Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 runs 1 h 54 min.

Is Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 based on a true story?

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

What language is Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976?

2CAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.