7 Women (also known as Seven Women), is a 1966 historical drama film directed by John Ford and starring Anne Bancroft, Sue Lyon, Margaret Leighton, Flora Robson, Mildred Dunnock, Betty Field, Anna Lee, Eddie Albert, Mike Mazurki, and Woody Strode. It was produced by Ford and Bernard Smith from a screenplay by Janet Green and John McCormick, based on the short story "Chinese Finale" by Norah Lofts. The musical score was conducted by Elmer Bernstein and the cinematography was handled by Joseph LaShelle, shot in Panavision. This was the last feature film directed by Ford, ending a career that had spanned 53 years.

Plot

In rural China in 1935, all but one of the white residents of a remote Christian mission post are women. The strict Miss Agatha Andrews heads the mission, assisted by the meek Miss Argent. Charles Pether is a teacher who always wanted to be a preacher; his loud, peevish, panicky, self-centered and domineering 42-year-old wife Florrie is pregnant for the first time. Emma Clark is the only young staff member. A much-needed doctor arrives, Dr. Cartwright. The staff is shocked to discover that Cartwright is a woman from Chicago, who smokes, drinks alcohol, swears, wears pants, has short hair, disdains religion, and sits before grace. Miss Andrews and Dr. Cartwright are soon at odds. Emma, who has led a very sheltered life, is fascinated by the newcomer, much to Miss Andrews' dismay. Dr. Cartwright urges Pether to send Florrie to a modern maternity ward to have her baby, because her age places her at high risk, but they refuse. Later, she appeals to Miss Andrews. In vain, Andrews warns Emma that Dr. Cartwright is evil.