Empire Of The Sun - Special Edition [1987]

Amazon.co.uk Review

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 years old at the time? 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:

WOAH.........2006-07-18

Absolutely awesome film, very much underated.. If anything watch It for the action plane scene around the camp. I find it hard to believe it was filmed in 1987

empire of the sun.......2006-04-30

watched this film last night with the wife and 15 year old son. all like to watch films found the film ok but can get a bit strange at times also can be a bit slow in parts. Not the best steven spielberg film for me although good acting by a very young christian bail ( new batman)

engrossing.......2006-03-24

An amazing tale of the child's view of war. One of my favourite books and easily my favourite film. I recommend this to anyone with heart, consideration and understanding of the human cost of battle

Speilberg's best serious movie.......2006-03-05

This is a very good adaptation of a very good novel. Speilberg is a great film maker but, in my opinion, not always the best storyteller. Fortunately here we have very true reading of J.G.Ballard's work: far better than his re-working of Schindler's Ark into Schindler's List. Definately worth watching.

If you do enjoy this, I would also recommend you watch the Japanes anime "Grave of the Firlies", which is an even more
powerful examination of the impact of war on children.

Amazing performances and Spielberg's wisdom.......2005-07-12

It is one the best films I've ever seen. Amazing performance from young Christian Bale complemented with the talent of director Steven Spielberg.
The struggle for surviving in a world dominated by power and violence. A beautifully crafted metaphor of the value each individual has and the important role he/she plays in society - even when times of war and disbelief come at once. Even though, there is always room for friendship, a smile, a dream of a young boy's imagination.

Empire Of The Sun : The Movie & More (2 Disc Special Edition) [1987]

Average customer rating:

One of the best films ever made
Must have seen a different movie!
Very Powerful
One of Speilberg's finest.....

Empire Of The Sun : The Movie & More (2 Disc Special Edition) [1987]
Starring: Christian Bale , John Malkovich , Miranda Richardson , Nigel Havers , and Joe Pantoliano
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000GQMLW8
Release Date: 2006-08-07

Customer Reviews:

One of the best films ever made.......2007-07-20

One of Spielberg's finest movies (based on JG Ballard's book) that introduced us to Christian Bale. Also includes great acting performances from Nigel Havers and Leslie Phillips. Young Jim is seperated from his parents as war breaks out in shanghai and must adapt from life as a privalaged public school boy to a child who needs to survive in an adult world during war while all the time grapling with the innosence of a child. Jim must befriend the right people and do what must be done in order for him to survive. Soudtrack truely amazing (also available from amazon- a must for your collection). Cannot recommend this film highly enough had to wait ages for it to come out again on DVD... certainly not disappointed

Must have seen a different movie!.......2006-12-08

I'm amazed by the positive reviews below. I had expected much more from such an auspicious team. Some of the landscapes are so fake they make hitchcock look realistic. The portrayal of Japanese internment camps as a holiday camp with kids and families having loads of fun is hard to credit. My wife and I started to enjoy it more when we saw it as some sort of spoof. Yes, there are good moments and some genuine emotive scenes and the soundtrack is brilliant. But, the whole is a major disappointment

Very Powerful.......2006-11-11

As the previous reviewer has said this is a poweful, cinematic masterpiece. From the moment that Jim (Christian Bale) is separated from his parents we follow his journey of survival in a Japanese POW camp. I agree with the previous reviewer that the slow motion sequence with the bomber is powerful and moving but there are several other scenes which are equally moving. There is a moment when Jim saves the doctor (Nigel Havers) from a beating by bowing to his Japanese captor. Also, when Jim salutes the Japanese pilots and sings as they go off to fight. The scene in which Jim is convinced that a bright light is the passing of his friend but is actually the first atom bombs is masterful as well. However, for me the most memorable scene is the final one which I can't mention as it would spoil the story. This is a weepie movie but beautiful and Christian Bale is superb and brings out a wonderful array of emotions far beyond what you'd expect in someone so young.

One of Speilberg's finest............2006-11-03

An outstanding film based around the life of young Jim (Christian Bale in one of his first films), the son of a couple of aristocatic ex-pats living in shanghai around the time of the Japanese invasion of China in 1939. The movie is a masterpiece of cinematic set pieces and excellent casting including a brilliant John Malkovich as Jim's 'tutor' through his internment by the Japanese and a suprisingly good offering by Nigel Havers as the camps doctor.
This film has one of THE best scenes in cinematic history as far as I'm concerned, involving Jim (Bale) standing atop of a burned out building as a P51 Mustang fighter plane fly's by him so close that you clearly see the pilot smiling and waving at him. It is one of the finest slow motion sequences I have ever seen and I challenge anyone not to be moved by it.
Dont' even think about it - just buy the DVD today, you won't be disapointed.

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