Empire of the Sun

1987 153 min ★ 7.5 Drama, History, War

Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

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Cast

Christian Bale

Jim

John Malkovich

Basie

Miranda Richardson

Mrs. Victor

Nigel Havers

Dr. Rawlins

Joe Pantoliano

Frank Demarest

Leslie Phillips

Maxton

Masatô Ibu

Sgt. Nagata

Emily Richard

Jim's Mother

Rupert Frazer

Jim's Father

Peter Gale

Mr. Victor

Details

Director

Steven Spielberg

Screenplay

Tom Stoppard

Tagline

"To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Budget

$35,000,000

Revenue

$66,700,000

Production

Warner Bros. Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Reviews

T

The Movie Diorama

January 16, 2020

★ 7/10

Empire of the Sun glaringly shines insight into the impoverished wealthy amidst war-torn China. Spielberg is one of a handful of directors that everyone acknowledges. Whether your interest lies with films or elsewhere, he is known to all for his eclectic filmography that tackles nearly every single genre available. The beauty of his directorial talents, is that he can manipulate any subject matter...

W

Wuchak

August 15, 2020

★ 4/10

_**Even great people have a dud on occasion**_ A British boy (Christian Bale) living with his wealthy parents in Shanghai is separated from them when Japanese forces invade in the early years of WW2. He then has to survive the war in a POW camp. John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers and Joe Pantoliano play fellow prisoners. Based on J.G. Ballard’s semi-autobiographical novel, “E...