The gorgeous Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a young journalist who travels to Nanking in China in 1937 to look for a scoop, only to find himself defending his life as well as the lives of innocent children against the brutal Japanese army.
When he first arrives in Nanking, he is almost killed by a Japanese soldier had it not been for a fearless Chinese freedom fighter (Chow Yun Fatt) who gleefully rescues him. To secure his safety, Johathan is sent to the secluded town of Huang Shi where he finds 60 defenseless Chinese boys living in an orphanage.
Jonathan gradually realises that it is up to him to lead the boys to safety, away from the approaching Japanese army...
Making history far more entertaining than it has a right to be, Escape from Huang Shi is directed by veteran action helmer Roger Spottiswooded (Tomorrow Never Dies) and is packed with drama and adventure. The film also reunites Roger with Michelle Yeoh, who plays a good-hearted merchant who helps Jonathan in his quest to help the boys.
But ultimately, it is the young Jonathan Rhys Meyers who holds the film together with his gracious charisma and convincing performance.