Anastasia (1956)

An opportunistic Russian businessman tries to pass a mysterious impostor as the Grand Duchess Anastasia. But she is so convincing in her performance that even the biggest skeptics believe her.

Well-produced Hollywood entertainment, typically without any sense for historical accuracy, works due to its excellent cast, but does have some over-the-top melodramatic moments.

Halliwell**: "Slick, highly theatrical entertainment for the upper classes; it dazzles and satisfies without drawing any light on history."

Maltin****: "Inspired casting makes this film exceptional...High point: confrontation scene in which Hayes as grand duchess must determine if girl is her relative." 

La fabuleuse aventure de Marco Polo (1965)

Young Marco Polo travels to China to help Kublai Khan fight against rebels, headed by his own son, with a new invention: gunpowder.

Entertaining and colorful, but wildy unhistorical Hollywood adevnture tale.

Halliwell (no star): "Curious mixture of melodrama and pantomime, with a star cast half playing for laughs."

Maltin**1/2: "Laighable mini-epic, extremely choppy, with episodic sequences pretending to recount events in life of medieval adventurer."

The General Died at Dawn (1936)

Amid the anarchy of China, an American mercenary tangles with a ruthless warlord.

Exotic adventure drama has good atmosphere, excellent production value and a good cast, but is a bit slow-going, and the finale outstays its welcome.

Halliwell**: "Heavy-going but very decorative studio-bound intrigue which seems to take place on the old Shanghai Express sets with an extra fusion of dry ice. An intellectual's picture of its day."

Maltin***1/2: "Fine, atmospheric drama of Oriental intrigue..."