Empire of the Sun (Warner Bros. 1987)
synopsis
(WW2 drama) Based on the autobiographical book by J. G. Ballard, EMPIRE OF THE SUN follows an English schoolboy named James Graham as he is separated from his parents during the Japanese invasion of China. He is soon thrown into a Japanese concentration camp where he survives through ferocious skills he learns from two American prisoners. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Great cast includes: John Malkovich, Joe Pantoliano, Miranda Richardson with a very young Ben Stiller.
update
Available on video and laser disc - some versions of the laser disc feature an bonus documentary about the making of the movie. EMPIRE OF THE SUN marks the first of Spielberg's WW2 trilogy which now includes: SCHINDER'S LIST and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. In the 1980's, Spielberg was the commercial wonderkid but he anxiously sought respect with increasingly mature films like THE COLOR PURPLE and then EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Mixed reviews and a poor box office meant that this would be one of Spielberg's overlooked films. But the critics were unanimous in their praise for Christian's performance. To Baleheads, this is the film which introduced them to a 12 year old Christian Bale who garnered critical raves for his portrayal of a spoiled English schoolboy who turns into a feral concentration camp survivor. It is a great epic that, unlike some of Spielberg's work, stands the test of time very well. All of Spielberg's favourite elements are here - the love of old airplanes; sweeping epic scale. This film was the first to be shot in Communist China. Let's hope that Spielberg re-releases it with the documentary on DVD!
Some trivia?
- Christian won the part over 4000 other kids.
- He was the same age as Macauley Culkin was in HOME ALONE - think about that!
- He won a Best Juvenile Actor from the prestigious National Board of Review.
- The boy who steals his potato was noneother than Nicolas Picard from LAND OF FARAWAY.
- The movie used an actual set and extras - no digitally multiplied special effects - EMPIRE OF THE SUN was shot the old fashion way.
- The Welsh lullaby, Suo Gan, was chosen for the movie because Christian was born in Wales.
- Nominated for Six Oscars.
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watching John Malkovich
Miranda Richardson
Joe Pantoliano
