Empire of the Sun Special Edition (2 DVDs)

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Average Rating: (See all 5 reviews) Format: DVD (PG) Ships within 6-11 days 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. For young Jim Graham (Christian Bale), the imaginative son of a British factory owner, this means school and play carry on as normal. But Jim’s innocence is soon shattered, and he’s thrown into a terrifying ordeal that starts with separation from his parents, and forces him to quickly mature from dependent child to resourceful survivor. After a short time free but utterly alone, Jim seeks help from Basie (John Malkovich), a scheming American. 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. Jim balances the overwhelming collection of emotions to allow us to see him survive, grow, and change from innocent child to wizened adolescent survivor. Synopsis Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun is an inspiring action-packed epic of a small boy in a great war. That boy is Jim Graham, a young Briton whose unconquerable spirit soars high and free above the harsh confines of a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Through his eyes we see the fascination and horror of war. And we see a child's hold onto childhood weaken as his struggle to survive grows fiercer.Based on J.G. Ballard's memorable bestseller, this first major Hollywood studio production ever to shoot in the People's Republic of China earned 1987 National Board of Review awards for Best Picture and Director, as well as a special citation for Outstanding Juvenile Performance for Christian Bale as Jim. Run Time: 146 minutes FullScreen: None Widescreen: Yes Format: PAL Aspect: 1.85:1 Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: John Malkovich, Christian Bale, Joe Pantoliano, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Leslie Phillips, Masatô Ibu Writer: Tom Stoppard Producer: Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy Composer: John Williams Subtitles: English, French, Italian, Arabic, Dutch, Icelandic, English and Italian for the hear Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Extended: Documentary: A China Odyssey, Theatrical Trailer Publisher: Warner Bros. UPC: 9325336026083

'Empire of the Sun' is worthy of being part of anyone's DVD collection. Although I have seen it before, I found it equally as moving and entertaining as the first time that I saw it. Based on J G Ballard's childhood in Shanghai, after the Japanese forces invaded China, and his subsequent years spent in a P.O.W camp with other expatriate English, it portrays life endured through a war, through a boy's and then teenager's eyes.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, and filmed in the People's Republic of China, it has a strong cast of well known actors, who do the story and the movie credit, with a young Christian Bale (Batman Returns) as the spirited Jim Graham, the boy who grows up in the P.O.W camp.. The Special Edition comes with a second disc, with a documentary and interview with J G Ballard, the Author of this story. It is well worth taking the time to watch this movie.

Classic! One of my favourite movies of all time! 5 STARS – No DVD collection is complete without this title amongst it. Powerful performances, superb production value with strong clear direction… a masterpiece. A must see for all movie fans, some might not agree with me but this film with live on for many years after the actors have all but been forgotten!! -nick

One of Spielberg's best and yet often overlooked.
Based on real life events Empire Of The Sun tells the story of an English boy who is separated from his parents when the Japanese invade Shanghai at the start of World War Two. He is sent to a civilian POW camp where he is forced to live out the remainder of the war.
The movie can be a bit slow to get going but that is easily made up for by an outstanding climax.

Steven Spielberg directed epic that follows the story of a 12 year old boy, James Graham (played by a young Christian Bale) who is forced on the run when the Japanese invade Shanghai... his fall from wealth and privilege to poverty and survival is superb (Bale is brilliant)... although dismissed by many, this is a very, very good film...

well this is probably one of my favorite spielberg movies as this has an honesty that isnt really available in most of his other movies. originally based on a J.G Ballard book empire of the sun is a thought provoking look at what happens to the children in a war and is a very emotionally charged film, well worth a look.