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Empire of the Sun

  • 1987
  • PG
  • 2h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
130K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,470
267
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:39
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaWar

A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.

  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Tom Stoppard
    • J.G. Ballard
    • Menno Meyjes
  • Stars
    • Christian Bale
    • John Malkovich
    • Miranda Richardson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    130K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,470
    267
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Tom Stoppard
      • J.G. Ballard
      • Menno Meyjes
    • Stars
      • Christian Bale
      • John Malkovich
      • Miranda Richardson
    • 390User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 6 Oscars
      • 13 wins & 17 nominations total

    Videos1

    Empire of the Sun
    Trailer 1:39
    Watch Empire of the Sun

    Photos354

    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Ben Stiller in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Nigel Havers in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and John Malkovich in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Takatarô Kataoka in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale at an event for Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale at an event for Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Empire of the Sun (1987)
    1 sheet
    1 sheet movie poster

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christian Bale
    Christian Bale
    • Jim
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Basie
    Miranda Richardson
    Miranda Richardson
    • Mrs. Victor
    Nigel Havers
    Nigel Havers
    • Dr. Rawlins
    Joe Pantoliano
    Joe Pantoliano
    • Frank Demarest
    Leslie Phillips
    Leslie Phillips
    • Maxton
    Masatô Ibu
    Masatô Ibu
    • Sgt. Nagata
    • (as Masato Ibu)
    Emily Richard
    Emily Richard
    • Jim's Mother
    Rupert Frazer
    Rupert Frazer
    • Jim's Father
    Peter Gale
    Peter Gale
    • Mr. Victor
    Takatarô Kataoka
    Takatarô Kataoka
    • Kamikaze Boy Pilot
    • (as Takatoro Kataoka)
    Ben Stiller
    Ben Stiller
    • Dainty
    David Neidorf
    David Neidorf
    • Tiptree
    Ralph Seymour
    Ralph Seymour
    • Cohen
    Robert Stephens
    Robert Stephens
    • Mr. Lockwood
    Naishe Zhai
    • Yang
    • (as Zhai Nai She)
    Guts Ishimatsu
    • Sgt. Uchida
    Emma Piper
    • Amy Matthews
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Tom Stoppard
      • J.G. Ballard
      • Menno Meyjes(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Eric Flynn, who plays a British POW, was actually a POW as a child in a Japanese camp.
    • Goofs
      At the beginning, Jim encounters Japanese soldiers in the city as they are gathered for a meal. They eat dumplings family-style, using long, blunt-ended chopsticks. Japanese people generally use pointed chopsticks. If there is a common bowl of food, Japanese turn their chopsticks around to transfer the food to their own bowl, and then eat with the narrow end.
    • Quotes

      Jim: [during an American airstrike] P-51! Cadillac of the sky!

    • Crazy credits
      The film title has the "Sun" lit up by the sun.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Wall Street/Throw Momma from the Train/Broadcast News/Empire of the Sun (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Suo Gan
      Performed by The Ambrosian Junior Choir

      Arranged and conducted by John McCarthy

      Soloist James Rainbird

    User reviews390

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Another Wonderful Spielberg Creation
    it was one of those movies i never expected to watch. it was late, i was bored, and i happened to stumble upon a channel i barely ever watch. and while i sat watching events unfold in front of me, i slowly forgot about my usual program of interest. there is something about this film that truly captivates you and leaves your eyes glued to it every second. Christian bale displays his talents wonderfully in this movie, and the most striking thing to me was his ability to give such a realistic, yet youthful performance. his subtle acts of defiance against authority, his brave expeditions that left older men in awe, the fact that a little boy could irritate a general so much. friendships were forged, even with the enemy and it was by far one of the most astounding movies i've ever seen. it's long, it's good, and if you haven't seen it - do so.
    helpful•87
    33
    • slayer_5_By_5
    • Nov 13, 2004

    Top picks

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    FAQ16

    • Why did the Japanese soldiers order the Brits to start carrying the white rocks up the embankment?
    • Why did the Japanese troops smash the windows in the prisoner barracks? Why did Nagata beat Dr Rawlins & suddenly stop?
    • Why did Nagata suddenly become enraged in Basie's corner of the barracks?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
      • Mandarin
      • Shanghainese
    • Also known as
      • Cesarstvo sonca
    • Filming locations
      • Trebujena, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,238,696
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,314,509
      • Dec 13, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,238,696
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 33 minutes

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