Steven Spielberg’s epic about a youngster’s harrowing and remarkable experiences in World War II-era China after the Japanese invasion.
–Nominated for Best Cinematography; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration; Best Costume Design; Best Sound; Best Film Editing; Best Score-John Williams.
Review Summary
Based on J.G. Ballard’s autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy, living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion, Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich, Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp, the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood, the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered, privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
trailer
P-51 Cadillac of the skies! attack on prison camp
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1ouJ_WyS9v8
longer version:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=02BBtN-P0lc