| | | A Steven Spielberg Film
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Behind the Scenes Footage, Documentary, English
The first major Hollywood production ever to shoot in the People's Republic of China, Empire Of The Sun is based on J.G. Ballard's widely-hailed international best-seller. It recounts the perilous and remarkable events befalling an 11-year-old British boy, whose privileged and sheltered lifestyle is shattered when the armed forces of Imperial Japan--the empire of the sun--invade Shanghai on December 8, 1941, following their bombing of Pearl Harbor. As Jim Graham, the youngster whose courageous spirit of survival helps him weather separation from his parents and internment in a Japanese prison camp, Christian Bale makes his American screen debut in a riveting central performance that earned him worldwide praise.
"Absolutely superb." Jeffrey Lyons, WCBS Radio
Editor's Note
Steven Spielberg's EMPIRE OF THE SUN, based on the autobiographical novel by J.G. Ballard, stars Christian Bale as Jim Graham, a British schoolboy separated from his upper-class colonial parents when the Japanese sweep into Shanghai during World War II. Temporarily orphaned, Jim attaches himself to Basie (John Malkovich), a fast-talking American opportunist determined make a buck off the spoils of war. Later, when the two are interned in a prison camp, Jim's boyish fantasies are fueled by the grace and daring of the Japanese fighter pilots whom he comes to idolize despite their enemy status. Spielberg's visually spectacular wartime epic is a testimony to the human will to survive and a child's ability to find wonder even in the midst of horror. Thirteen-year-old Welsh actor Christian Bale is brillant as Jim in his feature film debut. Spielberg himself identified more with Jim, a boy who is obsessed with flying and who experiences the death of his innocence, than with E.T.'s Elliott. After a year of negotiations with the Chinese, Spielberg and his crew were allowed to film in Shanghai, which was virtually unchanged since World War II.
| Features | Theatrical Trailer | | Scene Access | | Widescreen Version, Enhancecd For 16X9 TVs | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai | | Interactive Menus | | New 2001 Digital Transfer | | Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital And Dolby Surround, French Mono | | Behind-The-Scenes Documentary A China Odyssey: Empire Of The Sun, A Film By Steven Spielberg |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Warner |
| Release Date: 9/26/2006 |
| Running Time: 152 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1987 | | Catalog ID: 11753 | | UPC: 00085391175322 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Chinese | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1988) | | | Harry Cordwell, Norman Reynolds, Nominee, Best Set Decoration | | | Allen Daviau, Nominee, Best Cinematography | | | Bob Ringwood, Nominee, Best Costume Design | | | Michael Kahn, Nominee, Best Film Editing | | | John Williams, Nominee, Best Original Music | | | John Boyde, Tony Dawe, Don Digirolamo, Robert Knudson, Nominee, Best Sound | |
Golden Globe (1988) | | | John Williams, Nominee, Best Original Motion Picture Score |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...[EMPIRE OF THE SUN] seems to speak a language all its own....Great and small triumphs...steadily deliver[ed]..." 12/09/1987 p.C25New York Times
Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1987" 12/27/1987 p.II, 23 Variety
"...[The] sweeping picture is studded by spectacular set pieces..." 12/02/1987 Premiere
"Malkovich walks a line between sentiment and grit in his relationship with the young Christian Bale, and brings it off." 09/01/2005 p.130 Uncut
5 stars out of 5 -- "[With] astounding performances from John Malkovich and a teenage Christian Bale. Essential." 03/01/2006 p.134 Sight and Sound
"The scenes in which the Japanese invade Shanghai and the English forlornly try to flee are handled with huge flair; but unusually for Speilberg, the performances and subtlety of his direction register equally strongly." 04/01/2006 p.88 WWOR-TV, New York 9 of 10
Another glorious hit for Steven Spielberg and the best movie of 1987. - Pat Collins
At The Movies 9 of 10
A genuine movie masterpiece. Awesome imagery and superlative acting all add up to an overwhelming experience. - Rex Reed
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  4 | | Plot | 4 | | Acting |  4.5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 4 |
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4 of 5 shocking but no depth Friday, May 05, 2006
William from New Heaven, CT
It brings shocking feeling above all. Story is not very clear at some points, but it does offer some sens of history told in a fun way. To explore the history and China further, read another nice book: China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, and Globalization by a Chinese reporter George Gu, which offers huge insights on current China in light of history. Was this review helpful?  
5 of 5 Absolutely Amazing!!! Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Mike from Miami, FL
Empire of the Sun, directed by Steven Spielberg, focuses on 12 y/o "Jim", played by Christian Bale. Jim comes from an upper class British family living in Shanghai at the onset of China's war with Japan in 1941. Jim is an innicent child that fantasizes about airplanes and idolizes pilots. He is also very spoiled and dependant. Ofcourse, Spielberg works this perfectly, especially when Jim gets separated from his parents. From that point, Jim meets Basie, played by John Malcovich. Basie and Jim end up together in Soochow Creek Internment Camp, a Japanese POW hold next to an airfield. Basie allows Jim into his circle and teaches him how to survive, while many aroung them are dying from sickness and starvation. Jim's spirit and energy are inspiring despite the rough conditions. And as Jim's love for the warplanes and pilots grow, his memories of his parents fade. To the point he no longer remebers what they looked like. By the end of the war, Jim's innocence is gone and there is a powerful scene near the end that shows Jim trying to resuscitate his childhood as he says, "I can bring everyone back, everyone".
This is a must have movie that has so many great scenes and shots. Spielberg also throws in some great "moment" shots in the movie. Such as, Jim's father has a habit of rubbing his upper lip and that same mannerism can be seen by the doctor in the internment camp. Also, Jim has a picture of two parents overlooking their child as he goes to bed. That is a real scene from early in the movie. Empire of the Sun will leave an impression on anyone who watches it. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A Must-Have for the Complete Video Library Saturday, November 24, 2001
Jay from Woodridge, Illinois
The pervious reviewer hit the nail right on the head:
An beautifully filmed and deeply stirring movie of a young boy's plight in the prison camps of WWII Japan. The movie touches the despair of the camps and the hope of the young man longing to be reunited with his family. Definitely worth seeing if you're appreciative of human plight for freedom and have an interest in drama and history. I highly recommend it for dramatic value, cinematography, and story! However, it is not a movie for those interested in fast action ... will bore them to tears.
Was this review helpful?
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
4 of 5 Hidden Spielberg gem Friday, November 23, 2001
EJ from Slingerlands, NY
While this movie doesn't hold as much broad appeal as most Spielberg movies, it is an excellent effort none the less. The movie follows the plight of a young, privileged English boy in pre-war China as the Japanese begin their conquest of the country. Very good performances by John Malkovich and the young actor who portrays James Graham. Look for a cameo by a young Ben Stiller as well. Most of the action is centered in the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps located in China. The story is most appealing to WWII buffs and men (who'll be able to sympathize with the young boy and wonder how they'd react in the same situation). Was this review helpful?
2 of 3 customers found this review helpful.
4 of 5 A Must-Have for the Video Library Friday, November 09, 2001
A Viewer from Wisconsin
An deeply stirring movie of a young boy's plight in the prison camps of WWII Japan. The movie touches the despair of the camps and the hope of the young man longing to be reunited with his family. Definitely worth seeing if you're appreciative of human plight for freedom and have an interest in drama and history. I highly recommend it for dramatic value, cinematography, and story! However, it is not a movie for those interested in fast action ... will bore them to tears. Was this review helpful?
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