loading...
Empire Of The Sun
1987
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 .. Read more
| Starring | Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers |
|---|---|
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
loading...
-
Critics' reviews (6)
View all -
Now considered a trial run for the more moving, horrifying and involving Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg's drama, set in China during the Second World War, is a glossy and rather tame affair, based on JG Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel. Christian Bale plays 11-year-old Jim, who is separated from his family in Shanghai and ends up in a Japanese internment camp. As you'd expect from Spielberg, the film has its fair share of heroic moments and scenes that depict the horror of war through the eyes of a child, but, despite the presence of such talents as John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson and stiff-upper-lip Brit Nigel Havers, this only scratches the surface and never really conveys the true effects of armed conflict.
-
Intelligent and thought-provoking movie about the loss of childhood innocence through the horrors of war. Bale, as the boy, gives an extraordinarily believable performance
-
JG Ballard's autobiographical novel, about his experiences in the WWII Japanese concentration camps in China, is a mild... read more on Time Out
-
Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Stunning Performances
An epic of the scale of Schindler's List, this film is a roller-coaster of emotion throughout, dealing with Japanese occupation in China during WWII. As only Spielberg can do, it both makes you cry and at times makes you laugh out loud. All the characters are exceptional, you'll come to love them all, though I think none so much as Jim, played in a the most astonishingly believable manner by a very young Christian Bale. An absolute must-watch, this is one of my favourite films.
-
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
A Must See
This Semi-autobiographical story is sure to have viewers of all ages gripped.
Joy, Sadness, Shock and Humour are all portrayed beautifully by a young Christian Bale in this Steven Spielberg classic.
Set in China in the 1940s, 'Empire of the Sun' tells the story of the japanese Invasion and the subsequent imprisoning of Ex-pats from many nations.
We follow Jim (Bale) a young boy and see how he grows up in the concentration camps, a far cry from his pre-war days of wealthy family life -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
fascinating story about the chinese-japanese war
This story has so many threads to it. It's about a boy who got separated from his parents and was taken to a Japanese prisoner of war camp along with an American friend who he immediately looked up to.
He starts somewhat of a friendship with a Japanese boy who shared his love of airplanes.
A good story exploring the less well explored parts of the human experience.
Very little violence. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
fascinating story about the chinese-japanese war
This story has so many threads to it. It's about a boy who got separated from his parents and was taken to a Japanese prisoner of war camp along with an American friend who he immediately looked up to.
He starts somewhat of a friendship with a Japanese boy who shared his love of airplanes.
A good story exploring the less well explored parts of the human experience.
Very little violence. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!
THis film is definately well worth watching and is very enjoyable. GO RENT IT!
-
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Stunning Performances
An epic of the scale of Schindler's List, this film is a roller-coaster of emotion throughout, dealing with Japanese occupation in China during WWII. As only Spielberg can do, it both makes you cry and at times makes you laugh out loud. All the characters are exceptional, you'll come to love them all, though I think none so much as Jim, played in a the most astonishingly believable manner by a very young Christian Bale. An absolute must-watch, this is one of my favourite films.
-
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
A Must See
This Semi-autobiographical story is sure to have viewers of all ages gripped.
Joy, Sadness, Shock and Humour are all portrayed beautifully by a young Christian Bale in this Steven Spielberg classic.
Set in China in the 1940s, 'Empire of the Sun' tells the story of the japanese Invasion and the subsequent imprisoning of Ex-pats from many nations.
We follow Jim (Bale) a young boy and see how he grows up in the concentration camps, a far cry from his pre-war days of wealthy family life -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
fascinating story about the chinese-japanese war
This story has so many threads to it. It's about a boy who got separated from his parents and was taken to a Japanese prisoner of war camp along with an American friend who he immediately looked up to.
He starts somewhat of a friendship with a Japanese boy who shared his love of airplanes.
A good story exploring the less well explored parts of the human experience.
Very little violence. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!
THis film is definately well worth watching and is very enjoyable. GO RENT IT!
-
5 out of 10 people found this review helpful
If you're reading the reviews because you haven't seen it
Then get a life! This is the must see classic of the past century. Everyone I knew at school watched it and said wow. From the nerd to the gangster wannabee's. Which other art film can do that?
-
review
this is not just a normal war film, this is seen through a childs eyes, a very enjoyable 2 hours
-
Five star
The film is a must see for all.
-
Wonderful
Excellent movie, wonderful performance, interesting story.
-
a glimpse into a world of yesterday
i feel honoured to write this first review, i think this film is a must see. it is a fantastic tale with some incredible actors that you might not expect to see; christian bale as a child is superb and as the central character is simply inspiring. john malkovich is as you would expect his ususal high quality and too many other too mention all put in stunning work.
to go into further info would be wrong and spoil the film but needless to say its great spielberg work and if you liked the film 'the pianist' or other similar tales from a civilian point of view regarding WWII then this is something you will love.
i hope you enjoy it as much as i did -
THE Spielberg Masterpiece
This is a breathtaking film - watch it. Book by J.G. Ballard (he was there), screenplay by Tom Stoppard - and then the young Spielberg got his teeth into it. The result is stunning -Christian Bale gives the performance of his life, and the photography (great on the new DVD reissue) blows you away. What war does to people is shown through the (totally unrepresentative) eyes of a young boy, but his pain is every pain. For some reason - maybe it's too searing - this film has never had the acclaim it deserves. This is where Schindler's List started, and Spielberg's talent glowed. Forget ET - see this.
Critics' reviews (6)
-
Now considered a trial run for the more moving, horrifying and involving Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg's drama, set in China during the Second World War, is a glossy and rather tame affair, based on JG Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel. Christian Bale plays 11-year-old Jim, who is separated from his family in Shanghai and ends up in a Japanese internment camp. As you'd expect from Spielberg, the film has its fair share of heroic moments and scenes that depict the horror of war through the eyes of a child, but, despite the presence of such talents as John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson and stiff-upper-lip Brit Nigel Havers, this only scratches the surface and never really conveys the true effects of armed conflict.
-
Intelligent and thought-provoking movie about the loss of childhood innocence through the horrors of war. Bale, as the boy, gives an extraordinarily believable performance
-
JG Ballard's autobiographical novel, about his experiences in the WWII Japanese concentration camps in China, is a mild... read more on Time Out
-
Malkovich walks a line between sentiment and grit in his relationship with the young Christian Bale, and brings it off
-
The sweeping picture is studded by spectacular set pieces...
-
Included in the New York Times 10 Best Films of 1987
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- Empire Of The Sun
- DVD: £6.93
Free Delivery - RRP £9.79 (you save: 29%)
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 ... -
Related News & Features
Related user collection
GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE! (61)
70% from 15 members
Celebrity collection
Ray Winstone (6)
76% from 58 members
