Gladys Aylward: The Small Woman with a Great God

Author Carol Purves narrates this documentary about the remarkable life of Gladys Aylward (1902-1970)—subject of Purves' biography Chinese Whispers—featuring archival photos, illustrations, and recordings of Aylward's voice. Viewers follow Aylward's intrepid journey from British parlor maid to legendary status as a Chinese missionary (Aylward was the inspiration for the Hollywood feature film The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman). A small, unprepossessing woman, Aylward laboriously earned the money for a harrowing, death-defying trip to China via train, boat, bus, and mule, where she assisted aging missionary Jeannie Lawson at an inn for mule drivers. Becoming a Chinese citizen and adopting native dress, Aylward roamed the countryside, preaching in her spare time, while eventually achieving the status of local heroine through her work with orphans, her role in quelling a prison riot, and for leading (singlehandedly) some 100 children over the mountains to safety during World War II. Aylward established a mission in Hong Kong, and later went to Taiwan, where she continued her work along with her adopted son, Clifford Liu. An inspirational biographical portrait of one woman's unswerving faith and commitment to helping others, this is recommended. Aud: P. (J. Reed)