Empire of the Sun (1987)
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Based on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy, living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion, Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich, Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp, the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood, the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered, privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christian Bale, John Malkovich, (more)
- Director(s):
- Steven Spielberg
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Empire of the Sun
Based on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy, living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion, Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich, Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp, the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood, the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered, privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 153 mins
Complete Cast of Empire of the Sun
- Christian Bale - Jim Graham
- Miranda Richardson - Mrs. Victor
- Joe Pantoliano - Frank Demerest
- Masato Ibu - Sgt. Nagata
- Rupert Frazer - Jim's Father
- Takatoro Kataoka - Kamikaze Boy Pilot
- David Neidorf - Tiptree
- Robert Stephens - Mr. Lockwood
- Za Chuan Ce - Shopkeeper
- J.G. Ballard - Guest at Costume Party
- Paula Hamilton - British Prisoner
- Guo Xue Liang - Merchant
- Gary Parker - American Prisoner
- Barrie Houghton - British Prisoner
- Yvonne Gilan - Mrs. Lockwood
- Shirley Chantrell - Chinese Cook At Detention Center
- Simon Harrison - British Prisoner
- Zhai nai She - Yang
- Ann Castle - Mrs. Phillips
- Emma Piper - Amy Matthews
- Paul McGann - Lieutenant Price
- Eric Flynn - British Prisoner
- Ronald Eng - Mr. Chen's Wife
- Ray Charleson - American Prisoner
- Kong Guo-Jun - Chinese Sergeant/Airfield
- Peter Copley - British Prisoner
- Frank Duncan - Mrs. Hug's Father
- Burt Kwouk - Mr. Chen
- Shi Rui Qing - Shopkeeper
- John Malkovich - Basie
- Nigel Havers - Dr. Rawlins
- Leslie Phillips - Maxton
- Emily Richard - Jim's Mother
- Peter Gale - Mr. Victor
- Ben Stiller - Dainty
- Ralph Seymour - Cohen
- Susan Leong - Amah
- Ge Yan Zhao - Merchant
- Tom Danaher - Col. Marshall
- Edith Platten - Paul's Sister
- James Greene - British Prisoner
- Barbara Bolton - British Prisoner
- Lu Ye - Merchant
- John Moore - Mr. Pym
- Sylvia Marriott - Mrs. Partridge
- Anna Turner - Mrs. Gilmour
- Jack Dearlove - Singing Prisoner
- James Walker - Mr. Radik
- Ralph Michael - Mr. Partridge
- Keiron Jecchinis - American Prisoner
- Guts Ishimatsu - Sgt. Uchida
- Nicholas Dastor - Paul
- Sybil Maas - Mrs. Hug
- Ann Queensbury - Mrs. Pym
- Marc de Jonge - Frenchman
- Hiro Arai - Japanese Sergeant/Airfield
- Francesca Longrigg - British Prisoner
- Director(s):
- Steven Spielberg
- Writer(s):
- Tom Stoppard, Menno Meyjes
- Producer(s):
- Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Adult Language, Adult Situations, Violence, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- War
- 1987 - American Society of Cinematographers - Best Cinematography
- 1988 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Score
- 1987 - National Board of Review - Outstanding Juvenile Performance
- 1987 - National Board of Review - Best Picture
- 1987 - National Board of Review - Best Director
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- Subtitles:
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- Closed Captioning:
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