Plot: A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II – Empire of the Sun
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Christan Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Ben Stiller
Genre: Historical | War | Drama
Released: 1988
If you liked: 1917, Dunkirk, Master and Commander
The first time I saw this film I was only a child, but I remember being blown away by both the cinematography and the acting of the young Christian Bale, who plays an eight-year-old boy who during the Japanese attack on Shanghai during World War II becomes separated from his parents and over the course of several years survived in different POW camps until the end of the war.
Bale’s portrayal of a somewhat shell-shocked youth was in my mind the reason for the film’s success and one of the main reasons to revisit it. He provided the audience with a nuanced and anchored focal point to follow through this alien and everchanging landscape. With Malkovich acting as the more world-weary counterpoint to the sometimes hyperactive child.
As mentioned before, the cinematography in Empire of the Sun was and still remains stunning, with numerous scenes throughout that lives long in the memory, such as the sorts of the Gone With the Wind poster during the harrowing escape from Shanghai, the one where Jim comes across a fallen Zero plane before walking into a group of soldiers, the scene where Jim sings as a group of Japanese pilots prepare for a kamikaze mission and my personal favourite when the residents of the camp come across the abandoned spoils of war, all of which draw different emotions from the audience at exactly the right time.
This is clearly one of Spielberg’s best-directed ‘serious films’, except maybe for Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan and it’s such a shame this film doesn’t get mentioned as much as his other movies. It’s also a bit of a surprise that this film didn’t do better at the Oscars.
Roses Have Thoughts 
during everything going time, such a great time to watch new films. Totally appreciate these reviews! thanks for sharing 🙂
I haven’t watched this yet. This movie looks interesting to me. Perhaps one of these days, I am going to watch it. Thanks for sharing.
This is such a nice movie review. To be honest, I have never tried to watch this and it looks like a good and interesting movie to watch. Thank you!
now that is a classic. this was the first movie i remember seeing christian bale in. he was so cute as a young boy.
I never really considered watching this movie before but with your review, it sounds more interesting. Maybe I will add it to the queue!
I haven’t watched this yet. It looks so interesting. I’m adding it to my movie list this spring.
classic movie! this is my boyfriends fav movie of all time. so good!!!
Wow an old movie and it’s a good one, thanks for the sharing and everyone is sharing about old movies review these days because we are all at home. 🙂 – Knycx Journeying
Heeeeey! I am a fan of old movies. Name them: The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, A Few Good Men etc. I know for sure that Im going to love this movie!! I have heard about this before. I want to watch it..
The green mile is my favourite film 🙂
I´ve wanted to watch this movie for ages! Both Malkovich and Bale are amazing actors! Thanks for the reminder!
Now that I have more time, will make it a pint to watch the Empire of the Sun! Great actors and Steven Spielberg as Director? Even better!