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Empire of the Sun (1987)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
9 December 1987 (USA)
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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
Awards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars.
Another 11 wins
&
7 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(33 articles)
The Walt Disney Company to Make High School Musical: China
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 5:30 PM, PST)
Worthington Is Man Of The Year
(From WENN. 19 November 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 5:30 PM, PST)
Worthington Is Man Of The Year
(From WENN. 19 November 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)
User Comments:
This movie was a visual, character driven movie of superior quality,
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
153 min
Country:
Colour:
Colour (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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Jim was performing CPR on the woman in the hospital, he is pressing down near the area of the clavicle, rather than several inches lower, as would have been correct.
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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...
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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...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
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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
more (251 total)
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This movie was a visual, character driven movie of superior quality, even for Steven Speilberg. Some say that Speilberg has too much the eye of a child, but I tend to disagree. Too many filmmakers today are producing slick, throw away action flicks that at first seem promising but eventually fall into predictable, fluff and special effects laden, thinly plotted, dialogue-poor, characterless movies that are gone before the popcorn. Yes, this film has a lot of great Special Effects (So did Schindler's List.) Moreover, a lot of great action to keep the story pace from dragging. The idea of a movie is for the actors and directors to show their stuff (Hopefully around some good writing.) This movie did it for me. I have to agree with all those who praised Christian Bale for his performance in this movie. He was brilliant. In addition, I got to see Ben Stiller in an unusual role for him. I thought that John Malcovitch acted perfectly for this film and yes he was a Han Solo/Indiana Jones character, but with even less depth. His role was pivotal only in so far as it affected the boy. We were not as concerned with his character in so much as his shadow was cast on Jim through out the movie. The war was bigger than this little boy was and it was exquisitely done. Steven Speilberg gives us wonder, mystery, action, adventure and history in everything he does. He's the consummate filmmaker.