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Empire of the Sun (1987) 7.7
Ratings:
7.7/10 from 59,424 users
Metascore: 60/100
Reviews: 268 user | 52 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II. Director:Steven Spielberg |
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Title: Empire of the Sun (1987)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Christian Bale | ... | ||
| John Malkovich | ... | ||
| Miranda Richardson | ... |
Mrs. Victor
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| Nigel Havers | ... |
Dr. Rawlins
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| Joe Pantoliano | ... | ||
| Leslie Phillips | ... |
Maxton
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Masatô Ibu | ... |
Sgt. Nagata
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Emily Richard | ... |
Mary Graham, Jim's mother
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Rupert Frazer | ... |
John Graham, Jim's father
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Peter Gale | ... |
Mr. Victor
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Takatarô Kataoka | ... |
Kamikaze Boy Pilot
(as Takatoro Kataoka)
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| Ben Stiller | ... |
Dainty
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David Neidorf | ... |
Tiptree
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| Ralph Seymour | ... |
Cohen
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| Robert Stephens | ... |
Mr. Lockwood
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Based on J. G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, tells the story of a boy, James Graham, whose privileged life is upturned by the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, December 8, 1941. Separated from his parents, he is eventually captured, and taken to Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. Amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, Jim attempts to reconstruct his former life, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him. Written by Jeff Hansen <jmh@umich.edu>
Taglines:
To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
25 December 1987 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El imperio del sol See more »Box Office
Budget:
$38,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$22,238,696 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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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... built banking houses, hotels, offices, churches and homes ...
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Ben Stiller first came up with the idea for Tropic Thunder while working on this film. In interviews he has said that at the time he had friends who were actors in Platoon and Hamburger Hill who would go on about the intense "boot camp" preparation that these projects involved. Stiller found this funny because he thought that being an actor in a war film was nothing like being a real soldier in a real war. See more »Goofs
The model airplanes that Jim set on fire are plastic models by AURORA. These models were not released until 1957, some 16 years after the story takes place. See 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... built banking houses, hotels, offices, churches and homes ...
See more »
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.