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This documentary chronicles the horrific events in the former Chinese capital of Nanking during the occupation by the Imperial Japanese Army in the late 1930s. In addition to interviews with actual survivors, several actors (including Woody Harrelson, Stephen Dorff and Mariel Hemingway) appear on camera and “in character” to read diaries, letters and other material from the time period. Most portray Westerners involved in the Nanking Safety Zone, which helped protect 250,000 Chinese.

Big question: Can a movie help shed light and understanding on a tragic piece of history that remains a contentious topic for the countries involved?

Skip it: Seemingly endless stories of rape, murder and other vile acts drive home the gravity of the topic. It’s understandably powerful stuff when relayed by actual survivors (most of whom were children or teens at the time), but “Nanking” falters with its unusual use of actors. Their mostly mannered delivery creates a distance that distracts from the raw emotional pull of the rest of the film.

Catch it: “Nanking” is riveting, if ultimately a bit repetitive, whenever a real person is on screen. Most chillingly, directors Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman include interview footage with Japanese soldiers (one of whom observes "nothing good comes of rape" with an eerie ease).

Bottom line: An unfortunate reminder that great subject matter doesn’t automatically make for a great movie. Although the story of Nanking deserves to be told there’s reason to hope this awkwardly executed doc won’t be the definitive portrait.

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