Gung Ho - Rewi Alley of China

Expat Kiwi Rewi Alley became one of the best known foreigners in 20th Century China, and an advocate for the Communist Revolution. When China was under siege from Japan in the 1930s, Alley instigated an industrial co-op movement he termed 'gung ho' (work together). Its success led to the phrase entering the global idiom. Alley founded Bailie schools to train youth in the skills needed for industrial co-ops. Director Geoff Steven and a small crew travelled 15,000 kilometres in China in 1979, filming Alley as he gave his account of an engrossing life story. Co-writer Geoff Chapple later wrote a book on Alley.

Rewi Alley, 82, a legend known to millions within China. He arrived 20 years before the revolution, and 30 years after he lives in China still, a witness to the transformation of the Chinese spirit. And he's won a place within it.

– Narrator Peter Vere-Jones introduces Rewi Alley, early in this documentary

Key Cast & Crew

Geoff Steven

Director, Writer

Peter Vere-Jones

Narrator

Leon Narbey

Cinematographer

Annie Collins

Editor

John Maynard

Producer

Geoff Chapple

Writer