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Empire Of The Sun [VHS] [1987]
 
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Empire Of The Sun [VHS] [1987]

VHS ~ Christian Bale
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

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2 new from £9.94 11 used from £3.49

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Product details

  • Actors: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano
  • Directors: Steven Spielberg
  • Writers: J.G. Ballard, Menno Meyjes, Tom Stoppard
  • Producers: Chris Kenny, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Robert Shapiro
  • Format: Dolby, PAL, Surround Sound
  • Language English, Japanese
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • VHS Release Date: 13 May 1999
  • Run Time: 146 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004CIUF
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,680 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    Popular in this category:

    #86 in  Video > Action & Adventure > War Films

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Product Description

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

Synopsis
Based on J.G. Ballard's bestseller, the story recounts the perilous and remarkable events befalling a small boy whose privileged and sheltered lifestyle is shattered when the armed forces of Imperial Japan - the Empire Of The Sun - invade Shanghai on December 8th, 1941, following their bombing of Pearl Harbour.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Empire Of The Sun [VHS] [1987]
81% buy the item featured on this page:
Empire Of The Sun [VHS] [1987] 4.6 out of 5 stars (18)
The Last Emperor [DVD] [1988]
7% buy
The Last Emperor [DVD] [1988] 4.8 out of 5 stars (4)
£6.58
Empire of the Sun (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)
5% buy
Empire of the Sun (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) 5.0 out of 5 stars (4)
£4.31
Hope And Glory [DVD] [1987]
4% buy
Hope And Glory [DVD] [1987] 4.7 out of 5 stars (9)
£4.88
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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AN "A" CLASS CLASSIC, 7 Jul 2002
This review is from: Empire Of The Sun - Special Edition [DVD] [1987] (DVD)
i must admit, im a bit of a movie buff. Ive seen hundreds of movies and plenty of war movies at that. I must also admit that im a real fan of steven spielberg and films such as "jaws, close encounters, e.t, indiana jones, the minority report" but I have to say Empire of the sun is probably my favourite of them all.

Its a brilliant film in every way, its thoughtful, moving, and wonderfully performed. Bale gives a superb performance and proves that kids can actually act in films. Some scenes really stand out as stunning such as the bombing of the prison camp and the scenes between Bale and the japanese pilot.

This film ranks as one of my very favourites, because its only one of two films (shawshank redemption being the other) that brings me close to tears every time i watch it, and im a grown man!!!! hehe. Not to be missed. *****

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Speilberg's best serious movie, 5 Mar 2006
By D. Brockis "dave6566" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Empire Of The Sun - Special Edition [DVD] [1987] (DVD)
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.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A MOVING MASTERPIECE,GREAT CINEMA AND GREAT ACTING, 28 Jan 2001
one of my prized possessions in my video collection, empire of the sun is a moving film following the traumatic journey of Jim,a boy who loses his parents during world war two in Asia. This an epic in every sense of the word, great soundtrack great cinematography and superb acting. Watch out for a young Christian Bale as Jim in a stunningly mature performance....the ending will move you to tears.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars THE SUN SHINES ON THE EMPIRE
Asrtong character film with superb acting by big names and newcommers, well worth 4 stars
Published 28 days ago by Mr. R. C. Hinton

4.0 out of 5 stars A Baleful Sun
Faithful to JG Ballard's original novel, this film is a gritty depiction of man's ability to adapt and survive in unprecedented situations. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Helen Potts

5.0 out of 5 stars Wauw, what a great movie!
I just watched this movie, I was just so amazed with Bale, how beautifully he carried that movie on his shoulders with a very stunning performance!! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Anja Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderous Adventure
This film is not an ordinary or typical war drama. Don't expect glossy hollywood trappings. Well, ok, what can you expect? Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. S. Ebrey

5.0 out of 5 stars WOAH..
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
Published on 17 Jul 2006 by Nick

3.0 out of 5 stars empire of the sun
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. Read more
Published on 30 April 2006 by G. Steadman

5.0 out of 5 stars engrossing
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... Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2006 by mike1982banff

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing performances and Spielberg's wisdom
It is one the best films I've ever seen. Amazing performance from young Christian Bale complemented with the talent of director Steven Spielberg. Read more
Published on 12 Jul 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spielberg Masterpiece
Empire of the Sun tells the moving story of a young British boy living in Shanghai in the early 1940s. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2003 by V

5.0 out of 5 stars An all encompassing emotional journey
Empire of the Sun is undoubtedly the one film that has surpassed the critics close inspection that normally brings bad films to forefront of our minds... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2002

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