Question 1

Why did Chinese restaurants in European cities temporarily close during the filming of 55 Days at Peking?

Accepted Answer

The production hired so many Asian-looking extras from restaurants across Europe that many Chinese restaurants closed for summer 1962 as their staff, including owners, were working on the film.

Question 2

What real-life U.S. Marine officer was Charlton Heston's character loosely based on?

Accepted Answer

Major Matt Lewis was loosely based on real-life officer John Twiggs Myers, who commanded the Marine guard at the U.S. Legation during the Boxer Rebellion.

Question 3

What conflict did Charlton Heston have with a producer during filming?

Accepted Answer

Heston's chauffeur wasn't being paid by the production company, so Heston personally paid him and later confronted the producer, who eventually reimbursed him.

Question 4

How accurate were the Spanish sets in recreating the actual siege locations in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

The sets constructed in Spain depicted sites and street layouts with admirable accuracy, and some locations like the British Legation gate still look remarkably similar today.

Question 5

What historical event forms the backdrop of 55 Days at Peking?

Accepted Answer

The film depicts diplomats and soldiers from a dozen nations fending off the siege of the International Compound in Peking during the 1900 Boxer Rebellion.

55 Days at Peking

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