Empire of the Sun

1987 • 152 minutes

À propos de ce film

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.

Notes et avis

From the majestic score by the legend that is John Williams, to the amazing superbly direction of the master Spielberg, to the young but gifted (an early precursor of the great actor he will be) Bale; what else can be said about this poignant film. Sure, it has its flaws, but this Spielberg trying a new direction and voice and succeeding at capturing profound images that will definitely make you cheer! (That scene of Bale shouting and cheering at the mustangs is a priceless moment that is a crescendo payback to what permeated throughout the film). Recommend it!

At the time the film was released critics hated it. Despite the initial impressions of this film it still remains fresh for a lot of reasons. Christian Bale may be an annoying kid in this but he acts his ass off and carries the film. John Malkovich is a great supporting character. I think the critics didn't like the pacing of the film and the story Steven Spielberg was trying to tell. As a movie about the invasion of China it's a very fresh perspective on WW2. There were lots of American and British families swept up by the war and imprisoned together. The scenery and effects feel very authentic and there are some truly remarkable scenes including one of the Atomic Explosions. I love this film, I highly recommend Empire of the Sun.

Une famille qui vie aux etats unis ont été appeler pour quiter la maison pour partir avec leur enfant à Shangai en chine qui est en guerre l'enfant entraîner par le flot de gens qui s'en aller se perd et se sépare de ses parents et doit vivre dans une ville en guerre par lui même cet enfant ce découvre une passion pour l'aviation militaire et fini par vivre en se fesant des amis dans des refuges martine bensimon