In 1937 a young and green British journalist, George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), fakes working with the Red Cross to enter Nanjing, which has been occupied by the Japanese. Hogg witnesses horrific atrocities but before he can tell the world about them he is soon captured by the Japanese army.

By pure luck he is rescued by Communist rebel Chen (Chow Yun-Fat) who recommends Hogg travels to a "school" in Shanxi to recover from an injury and learn fluent Mandarin.

In Shanxi Hogg finds himself in a run-down building and meets the motley crue of orphaned boys. Wary of the intruder, they are suspicious of Hogg. Most have lost their entire family in violent circumstances. Grudgingly at first, with the support of Red Cross nurse Lee Pearson (Radha Mitchell), Hogg soon becomes their teacher, friend and unlikely hero.

China is an impressive backdrop of the film. The countryside is serene although this is jarred by warplanes and unexpected attacks. During war there is always a thin line between life and death, which the characters are constantly reminded of.

As Hogg, Rhys-Meyers is aptly cast and speaks lines in Japanese and Chinese with confidence. Hogg cultivates trust among the boys and creates hope where there is none. Both Hogg and the boys gain a renewed sense of faith from their unique relationship and cultural differences are overcome with games of basketball.

The most amazing part of the film is of course the 600-mile journey from Shanxi to Shandon on the outskirts of the Gobi Desert. Hogg’s plan of escape seems preposterous yet is the only passage out. The Silk Road is an ancient historical trade route between East and West. During the harsh Chinese winter it is treacherous. Dragging donkeys and carts, the boys brave freezing conditions and the ongoing threat of Japanese army on their three-month journey over the mountains to safety.

Surprisingly, the film gives a lot of weight to its female characters. Pearson is no passive war nurse, moving swiftly from one traumatic event to another, diagnosing Chinese soldiers and distributing anti-lice powder and morphine. Though Pearson is a former lover of Chen, director Roger Spottiswoode, avoids a cliche love-triangle from happening. The developing love-story between Hogg and Pearson seems inevitable, as they find solace in each other from the tragedies that surround them.

Merchant and opium dealer, Madam Wang (Michelle Yeoh), is also a powerful lady. Wearing beautiful cheong sams with gracefulness, she befriends Hogg. Wang’s friendship is put to the test however when the Nationalist army seeks to recruit the eldest boys. Only Wang can act as the mediator for a high price.

Although dragging a little on at times, Children of the Silk Road sweeps you into a little known part of China’s history. The boys, like China, are proud and resilient. They have suffered immensely and seemingly have nothing left to prove. Hogg gives them the opportunity of an education and a life outside of war.

The movie took 22 years to come to fruition from script to screen. It is a testament to Hogg, a true legend, whose courageous story is one to watch.