Watch Gladys Aylward: The Small Woman with a Great God
- NR
- 1 hr 1 min
Gladys Aylward: The Small Woman with a Great God is a biographical portrayal of the incredible life of Gladys Aylward, a British missionary in China during the mid-20th century. The film stars Carol Purves who delivers a stirring performance as Gladys, bringing her tenacity, courage, and unwavering faith to life. The movie opens with Gladys, a maid in a British household, determined to travel to China as a missionary despite being repeatedly rejected by missions organizations due to her lack of formal education. She eventually raises enough funds to embark on her journey and arrives in China to find a country in turmoil, ravaged by war and poverty.
Undeterred by the chaos around her, Gladys begins her work as a missionary, first serving as an assistant to a veteran missionary, Jeannie Lawson, who helps her acclimate to the Chinese culture and language. But soon, Gladys finds her own calling and her own way of serving, eventually setting up an inn for mule drivers along the difficult mountain route to a nearby city. Using her gift for languages, Gladys tells Bible stories to the drivers and the locals, often attracting crowds of curious listeners.
As time passes, Gladysâ work becomes more treacherous. With the Japanese invasion of China and the looming threat of war, Gladys risks everything to lead a group of orphaned children in a harrowing journey across the mountains to safety. She faces many challenges along the way, from hostile bandits to treacherous terrain and dwindling resources. However, with her steadfast faith and determination, she successfully completes the perilous journey and saves the lives of many innocent children.
Throughout the film, we see Gladysâ courageous spirit and her unwavering faith, which empowers her and encourages those around her. The movie explores how her faith carried her through difficult times, and how her love for the Chinese people inspired her to continue her work despite the challenges she faced.
The filmâs production design and cinematography are also noteworthy. The vivid depictions of China, its landscapes, and its people are visually striking, taking viewers on a journey alongside Gladys. The movieâs soundtrack does an excellent job of immersing the viewer further into the film, heightening the emotional impact of key moments.
Overall, Gladys Aylward: The Small Woman with a Great God is an inspiring and touching portrayal of one individualâs remarkable journey. It highlights themes of strength, faith, and perseverance, as well as the need to be open to change and willing to do what it takes to serve others. Carol Purves delivers a powerful performance, bringing to life the spirit of a woman who left an indelible mark on Chinese history. Whether youâre looking for a compelling biography, a moving story of faith, or an inspirational tale of someone who spent their life helping others, this film is not to be missed.
Gladys Aylward: The Small Woman with a Great God is a documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute.