IMDb > Empire of the Sun (1987)
Empire of the Sun
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Empire of the Sun (1987) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
Empire of the Sun (1987) -- A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II.
Empire of the Sun (1987) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   31,645 votes
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Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writers:
J.G. Ballard (novel)
Tom Stoppard (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Empire of the Sun on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 December 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Drama | War more
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
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(32 articles)
Worthington Is Man Of The Year
 (From WENN. 19 November 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)
Lennon, Manson and me: the psychedelic cinema of Alejandro Jodorowsky
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 13 November 2009, 4:10 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Brilliant and Amazing 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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
153 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Japanese | Mandarin
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:
Elstree Film Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK more
Company:
Amblin Entertainment more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Christian Bale was picked for the role of Jim out of more than 4,000 who auditioned. Steven Spielberg had seen Bale in the miniseries Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) (TV) and Amy Irving, who starred in it, personally recommended Bale to Spielberg, her husband at the time. Spielberg had not thought much of Bale in "Anastasia", but cast him in the role of Jim after he auditioned. more
Goofs:
Continuity: A girl in the background puts on her dress twice as Basie and Jim walk through the holding camp. more
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...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Chopin Mazurka Opus 17 No. 4 more

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?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
48 out of 67 people found the following comment useful.
Brilliant and Amazing, 9 January 2005
10/10
Author: DutchOompaLoompa from United States

Empire of the Sun is about a wealthy British boy living in British controlled states of China during WW2. He is torn from his parents and placed in a camp for British citizens. He tries to find a way to connect the good of his old life to the good life in the camp and a life filled with war, but finds that no matter what there is no good out of war. This is an amazingly underrated film that should be watched by a mature, attentive person. This film is laced with compassion and power put in one. A must see for war buffs (or for Spielberg buffs). No matter what even if you hate this film, you will have a favorite part. One of Spielberg greatest films ever made (personally his greatest). 10/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Empire of the Sun (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
dying to know what he morris codes to the ships in the canal hmmmisthatright
i thought this was very badly executed jamezcoe
Nigel Havers Esmacious
Implied rape of Jim's mother godfatherofsoul
Complete and utter rubbish Fitvideo
Personal Take escalera-2
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