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... more
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underrated film poignantly follows the World War II adventures of young Jim (a brilliant Christian Bale), caught in the throes of the fall of China. What if you once had everything and lost it all in an afternoon? What if you were only 12 years old at the time? Bale's transformation, from pampered British ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, nearly feral boy, is nothing short of stunning. Also stunning are exceptional sets, cinematography and music (the last courtesy of John Williams) that enhance author J.G. Ballard's and screenwriter Tom Stoppard's depiction of another, less familiar casualty of war. In a time when competitors were releasing "comedic", derivative coming-of-age films,Empire of the Sunstands out as an epic in the classic David Lean sense--despite confusion or perceived competition with the equally excellentThe Last Emperor(also released in 1987, and also a coming-of-age in a similar setting). It is also a remarkable testament to, yes, the human spirit. And despite its disappointing box-office returns,Empire of the Sunhelped to further establish Spielberg as more than a commercial director and set the standard, tone and look for future effortsSchindler's ListandSaving Private Ryan. --N.F. Mendoza
underrated film poignantly follows the World War II adventures of young Jim (a brilliant Christian Bale), caught in the throes of the fall of China. What if you once had everything and lost it all in an afternoon? What if you were only 12 years old at the time? Bale's transformation, from pampered British ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, nearly feral boy, is nothing short of stunning. Also stunning are exceptional sets, cinematography and music (the last courtesy of John Williams) that enhance author J.G. Ballard's and screenwriter Tom Stoppard's depiction of another, less familiar casualty of war. In a time when competitors were releasing "comedic", derivative coming-of-age films,Empire of the Sunstands out as an epic in the classic David Lean sense--despite confusion or perceived competition with the equally excellentThe Last Emperor(also released in 1987, and also a coming-of-age in a similar setting). It is also a remarkable testament to, yes, the human spirit. And despite its disappointing box-office returns,Empire of the Sunhelped to further establish Spielberg as more than a commercial director and set the standard, tone and look for future effortsSchindler's ListandSaving Private Ryan. --N.F. Mendoza
Drama - Director: Christopher Menaul, John Strickland, David Drury, John Madden, Sarah Pia Anderson, Paul Marcus, Philip Davis, Tom Hooper, Peter Berry, Philip Martin - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over
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Advantages: A great adventure of human spirit Disadvantages: can be slightly tedious at times
Empire of the Sun is a story focusing on young Jim Graham, an 11 year old born and raised in Shanghai during the inter-war years, he has a fondness for the Japanese and feels more closely akin to them rather than the British home nation, exampled by the comment to his father that he wished to join the Japanese air force. Jim's world is turned upside down prior to Christmas 1941 when the Japanese invade Shanghai forcing many residents to flee or be ... ...then mother in the intervening melee and is forced to return to his parents house only to find it being stripped bare by the servants of his parents. While later fleeing a chinese youth he comes across an American called Basie who is there to make a quick buck from whatever he can, while attempting to further ransack houses they are captured by the Japanese and moved to an internment camp at Suchow where they help to build a Japanese airfield. The ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: An excellent film evoking all sorts of emotions each time you watch it. Disadvantages: Can get quite deep. Not for those who enjoy the average mega action film which is Holywood's usual type
...This op will be wuite short, because I'm not going to give away any of the plot:
I first wathcing Empire of the Sun when I was about 7, and only thought of it as a good film with lots of explosions. Later I cam upon it when I was older and thought I watch it just for nostalgia's sake. It was only then I realised the true power of this film. An absolute classic adapted from the great book. The film evokes different feelings every time, and will be interpereted differetly depending on what mood YOU are in. In that way the film is different every time. Starring John Malkovich and many other famous actors/actress'. The movie chronicles the story of the Japanese expansion into China and how they crushed the British colonial rule, only to put their own ruthless regime in its place. It truly shows how war does not just affect...
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Actor(s): Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano, Leslie Phillips, Ben Stiller
Director(s): Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1987
Running Time: 2 hours 26 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 07/08/2006
No of Discs: 2
Catalogue No: D 073737S
Barcode: 7321905737376
Composer: John Williams
Featured: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Menno Meyjes, Steven Spielberg, Tom Stoppard
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall
Languages
Main Language: English
Release details
Executive Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall
DVD Description
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 idolise 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.
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