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Empire of the Sun (1987)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
9 December 1987 (USA)
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Tagline:
To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.
Plot:
A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars.
Another 11 wins
&
7 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(33 articles)
The Walt Disney Company to Make High School Musical: China
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 5:30 PM, PST)
Worthington Is Man Of The Year
(From WENN. 19 November 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 5:30 PM, PST)
Worthington Is Man Of The Year
(From WENN. 19 November 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)
User Comments:
ASTOUNDING
more (251 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Christian Bale | ... | Jim 'Jamie' Graham |
 | John Malkovich | ... | Basie |
 | Miranda Richardson | ... | Mrs. Victor |
 | Nigel Havers | ... | Dr. Rawlins |
 | Joe Pantoliano | ... | Frank Demarest |
| Leslie Phillips | ... | Maxton |
| Masatô Ibu | ... | Sgt. Nagata |
| Emily Richard | ... | Mary Graham, Jim's mother |
| Rupert Frazer | ... | John Graham, Jim's father |
| Peter Gale | ... | Mr. Victor |
| Takatoro Kataoka | ... | Kamikaze Boy Pilot |
 | Ben Stiller | ... | Dainty |
| David Neidorf | ... | Tiptree |
| Ralph Seymour | ... | Cohen |
| Robert Stephens | ... | Mr. Lockwood |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
153 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Spain:T |
Iceland:12 |
Portugal:M/12 |
USA:TV-14 (TV rating) |
New Zealand:PG |
Norway:11 (DVD rating) |
Norway:15 (cinema release) |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:PG |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PG |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-12 |
France:U |
Hong Kong:IIA |
Japan:U |
Mexico:A |
Netherlands:AL |
Singapore:PG |
South Korea:15 |
Sweden:11 |
Taiwan:GP |
UK:PG |
USA:PG |
West Germany:12 |
Brazil:Livre
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Final film of Ralph Michael.
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Goofs:
Continuity: In an early scene where Jamie's mother is sitting on the foot of his bed, she lights a cigarette. When she stands to exit the room, the cigarette has disappeared.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: [title card] In 1941 China and Japan had been in a state of undeclared war for four years. A Japanese army of occupation was in control of much of the countryside and many towns and cities. In Shanghai thousands of Westerners, protected by the diplomatic security of the International Settlement, continued to live as they had lived since the British came here in the 19th century and built in the image of their own country...
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Narrator: [title card] In 1941 China and Japan had been in a state of undeclared war for four years. A Japanese army of occupation was in control of much of the countryside and many towns and cities. In Shanghai thousands of Westerners, protected by the diplomatic security of the International Settlement, continued to live as they had lived since the British came here in the 19th century and built in the image of their own country...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Into the Breach: 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998) (V)
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Soundtrack:
THESE FOOLISH THINGS
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FAQ
What is the name of the lullaby sung by Jim throughout the movie?Is this based entirely on JG Ballard's experiences during the war?
What's with the stadium filled with treasures?
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more (251 total)
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I came across this film while I was flipping through the channels on my t.v. This is truly an astounding film. The inimitable dialogue, the dazzling scenes, and most importantly the profundity of its premise make this film unforgettable and worthy of sycophantic obsession. I was completely enraptured by the brilliant acting. I believe this is Steven Spielberg's most noteworthy film. His other movies pale in comparison to this one. John Malkovich and Christian Bale are incredible as usual, but in this film they bring to life a story of a boy who loses everything due to a country trying to conquer everything. The physical and mental destruction of war and the injurious effects of loneliness are very clichéd themes, but this film conveys them in an incomparable way. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite films, and I suggest that everyone take the time to watch it. It would be exceedingly foolish of one to not watch it.