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

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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)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   31,889 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
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:
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:
Awards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
Sir Elton`s work with Australian talent draws raves
 (From Monsters and Critics. 15 December 2009, 2:53 AM, PST)

Sir Elton John Is Recording His New Tracks
 (From Gossipvita. 14 December 2009, 4:13 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Brilliant and Amazing more (250 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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

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)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Cameo: [J.G. Ballard]the author played the part of a guest in the masquerade party scene. However, only a quick glimpse of him can be seen in the final cut. more
Goofs:
Continuity: While Jim is on top of the tower cheering on the P-51 pilots, a plane does a bomb run on a hangar nearby. The pilot dropped the bombs too early and one can be seen skipping on the ground. In the next shot of the hangar exploding, the plane is no longer visible. 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:
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
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?
more (250 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Empire of the Sun (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Implied rape of Jim's mother godfatherofsoul
Jim Speaks Japanese - translation anyone? dcornella
i thought this was very badly executed jamezcoe
Ben Stiller kberenson
dying to know what he morris codes to the ships in the canal hmmmisthatright
Nigel Havers Esmacious
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