The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)

Factual error: The movie's title "The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness" is the name of the mission station that Gladys Aylward/Ingrid Bergman sets up. In reality this was called "The Inn Of The Eighth Happiness." Numerology is popular in China, where eight is regarded as a particularly auspicious number. Apparently the film company thought "sixth" had a better ring to it than "eighth." In the movie it is explained that there are six levels of happiness. This is not a Chinese belief and seems to have been invented for the movie.

Rob Halliday

Other mistake: In opening scene in the China mission society building, there is a picture of Eric Liddel hanging on the wall. Eric hadn't been born yet.

Trivia: The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness tells the story of Gladys Aylward, an English missionary in China. The casting of Ingrid Bergman in the role was quite amazing, especially considering that Gladys Aylward was still alive at the time. Ingrid Bergman, who exuded glamour throughout the movie, was 5' 9" tall, had blonde hair and retained her native Swedish accent. Gladys Aylward was of rather plain appearance, stood a mere 4' 10" tall, had black hair and spoke with a cockney accent.

Rob Halliday

Jen-Ai: I like China the way it is.
Capt. Lin Nan: Filthy? Ignorant? Backward?
Jen-Ai: No, but if your house is dirty you can clean it.

Gladys Aylward: Yang says everyone in China wishes you the five happinesses: wealth, longevity, good health, virtue... and.
Jeannie Lawson: And a peaceful death in old age, yes.
Gladys Aylward: But he didn't mention anymore. What is the sixth happiness?
Jeannie Lawson: That you must find out for yourself. Each person must find out in his heart what the sixth happiness is.

The Mandarin: What is a foreigner Captain? How would you describe yourself?
Capt. Lin Nan: My heart and my mind are Chinese, only my blood is mixed.
The Mandarin: If I have offended a guest in my home, I shall not forgive myself.
Capt. Lin Nan: It is my own mixed blood which offends me.