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Empire of the Sun (1987)

PG 152 min  -  Biography | Drama | War  -   25 December 1987 (USA)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 48,301 users   Metascore: 60/100 
Reviews: 262 user | 39 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com

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

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

J.G. Ballard (novel), Tom Stoppard (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 7 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christian Bale ...
John Malkovich ...
Miranda Richardson ...
Mrs. Victor
Nigel Havers ...
Dr. Rawlins
Joe Pantoliano ...
Leslie Phillips Leslie Phillips ...
Maxton
Masatô Ibu Masatô Ibu ...
Sgt. Nagata
Emily Richard Emily Richard ...
Mary Graham, Jim's mother
Rupert Frazer Rupert Frazer ...
John Graham, Jim's father
Peter Gale Peter Gale ...
Mr. Victor
Takatarô Kataoka Takatarô Kataoka ...
Kamikaze Boy Pilot
Ben Stiller ...
Dainty
David Neidorf David Neidorf ...
Tiptree
Ralph Seymour Ralph Seymour ...
Cohen
Robert Stephens Robert Stephens ...
Mr. Lockwood
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Storyline

Based on J. G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, tells the story of a boy, James Graham, whose privileged life is upturned by the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, December 8, 1941. Separated from his parents, he is eventually captured, and taken to Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. Amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, Jim attempts to reconstruct his former life, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him. Written by Jeff Hansen <jmh@umich.edu>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Japanese | British | Food | Japanese Occupation | China  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Japanese | Mandarin

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El imperio del sol See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$38,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,314,509 (USA) (13 December 1987) (225 Screens)

Gross:

$22,238,696 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

"Suo Gân", the movie's theme song, is a lullaby sung in Welsh. Director Steven Spielberg chose it after casting Welsh actor Christian Bale as Jim. It was sung by James Rainbird. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: In an early scene where Jamie's mother is sitting on the foot of his bed, she lights a cigarette. When she stands to exit the room, the cigarette has disappeared. See 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...
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

"A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE"
Performed by Elizabeth Welch
Courtesy of EMI Records Limited See more »