EMPIRE OF THE SUN

Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson

Warner Bros.; Directed by Steven Spielberg

Rated PG; 152 minutes; 1987

Jim (Christian Bale), a British schoolboy living in Shanghai is separated from his parents in a panicked mob when the Japanese invade China at the beginning of World War II. Jim is eventually imprisoned in a work camp where he befriends an American hustler (John Malkovich) in this film about survival and courage based on J.G. Ballard’s highly-regarded best-seller, drawn from Ballard’s own childhood experiences at Lunghua during World War II.

awards

Winner - Best Picture and Best Director - National o Review

Reviews

"The most staggering film of 1987! A genuine movie masterpiece from Steven Spielberg. Awesome imagery and superlative acting all add up to an overwhelming experience."

—Rex Reed, AT THE MOVIES

"A towering achievement! It will dazzle you. Absolutely superb."

—Jeffrey Lyons, SNEAK PREVIEWS/WCBS RADIO

"Spielberg, who again proves that he is our top picture maker, has energized each frame with an intelligent density of images and emotions. He has met the demands of the epic form with a mature spirit and wizardly technique."

—Richard Corliss, TIME MAGAZINE

"A stunning epic: the war filtered through the astonishing technique of Steven Spielberg, Hollywood's greatest virtuoso. He creates indelible, awesome images."

—David Ansen, NEWSWEEK

"Spielberg gives EMPIRE OF THE SUN a visual splendor, a heroic adventurousness and an immense scope that make it unforgettable. The sweeping story is set forth spectacularly. . . soaring spirits...moments of overwhelming power. . . and the great and small triumphs it steadily delivers."

—Janet Maslin, THE NEW YORK TIMES

"I was stirred and moved on a scale I had forgotten existed. EMPIRE OF THE SUN is a fusion of kinesthetic energy with literary sensibility, pulse-pounding adventure with exquisitely delicate sensitivity."

—Andrew Sarris, THE VILLAGE VOICE

"What a movie! Superb performances. A powerful, moving, gripping film. Spielberg is a great masterful filmmaker."

—Joel Siegel, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, ABC-TV

"Another glorious hit for Steven Spielberg and the best movie of 1987."

—Pat Collins, WWOR-TV

"EMPIRE OF THE SUN marks one of the rare occasions when a director, at the top of his creative form, makes a movie richer and deeper than any he ever made before. Spielberg has never been more expert in bringing this great story to the screen."

—Michael Healy, L.A. DAILY NEWS

"A truly spellbinding, big screen spectacular! Spielberg's touch is more magical than ever."

—David Sheehan, KNBC-TV

"A great adventure of the human spirit. EMPIRE OF THE SUN is Steven Spielberg's most powerful film."

—Jack Garner, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE