Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786301055734 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC ISBN: 630105573X Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Release Date: July 07, 1994 Running Time: 154 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: December 09, 1987 Sales Rank: 6216
Amazon.com essential video: Roundly dismissed as one of Steven Spielberg's least successful efforts, this very underrated film poignantly follows the World War II adventures of young Jim (a brilliant Christian Bale), caught in the throes of the fall of China. What if you once had everything and lost it all in an afternoon? What if you were only 12? Bale's transformation, from pampered British ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, nearly feral boy, is nothing short of stunning. Also stunning are exceptional sets, cinematography, and music (the last courtesy of John Williams) that enhance author J.G. Ballard's and screenwriter Tom Stoppard's depiction of another, less familiar casualty of war.
In a time when competitors were releasing "comedic," derivative coming-of-age films, Empire of the Sun stands out as an epic in the classic David Lean sense--despite confusion or perceived competition with the equally excellent The Last Emperor (also released in 1987, and also a coming-of-age in a similar setting). It is also a remarkable testament to, yes, the human spirit. And despite its disappointing box-office returns, Empire of the Sun helped to further establish Spielberg as more than a commercial director and set the standard, tone, and look for future efforts Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. --N.F. Mendoza
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The many highlights outweigh the films few problems...
For some reason there is a huge circle of film snobs (cinaphiles, movie buffs) who absolutely hate this film. I can understand to an extent, but not seeing the films central glistening facet is to ignore ... Read More
Rating: - Remember, We're British
Empire of the Sun
Based on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical book of the same name, "Empire of the Sun" follows the life of a young British schoolboy caught in the Japanese invasion of Shanghai. ... Read More
Rating: - HARD TO FIND STUFF
I've been looking for this movie and its beautiful music for a long time and finally found it. I guess I just didn't look in the right places. I am now much wiser.
Rating: - An Interesting and Inspiring Bit of History
I first saw "Empire of the Sun" in the Lakes District in England with an Australian stranger named Alf. (I'm not making this up.) Though a literature major in college, this film made me realize how few in-depth, ... Read More
Rating: - Empire of the Sun, a drama of a boy's survival in WW II
An excellent film that has been underrated in my opinion. Watching the young British boy mature amid the ravishes of World War II is a poignant experience. Stephen Spielberg expertly creates the era and the place ... Read More
- The many highlights outweigh the films few problems...
- HARD TO FIND STUFF