Empire of the Sun | 
| Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $4.40
You Save: $10.58 (71%)
New (49) Used (30) Collectible (1) from $4.35
Rating:  257 reviews
Sales Rank: 1156
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Chinese (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Japanese (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Taiwanese Chinese (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 153 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.5
MPN: WARD11753D
ISBN: 0790761653
UPC: 085391175322
EAN: 9780790761657
ASIN: B00003CX9U
Theatrical Release Date: 1987
Release Date: November 6, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A YOUNG BOY'S EXPERIENCES AFTER THE ARMY OF IMPERIAL JAPAN INVADES CHINA FOLLOWING THE DECEMBER 1941 PEARL HARBOR ATTACK SHAPE STEVEN SPIELBERG'S SPECTACULAR, INSPIRING AND ACCLAIMED TALE ABOUT GROWING UP IN A TIME OF WAR.
Amazon.com essential video
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? 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 252 more reviews...
 Empire of the Sun Supreme June 10, 2009
Lawrence R. Wendell Jr. (Omaha, NE USA)
Amaazon.com is so easy to work with. They had the product a day before what they hyad promised it for. The movie i had only seen in bits and pieces on TV, never got to see all the way through. I am so pleased with this purchase, as it gives you a picture of excellent acting by Christian Bale and john Malkovitz and tells you of what WW II was like in Nationalist China and of survival. A most excellent film of this era long forgotten in history books.
 THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST! May 25, 2009
Loves To Read (Twin Cities, MN USA)
Christian Bale makes his stunning movie debut in this Spielberg directed film as Jamie, a 12 year old British boy, who grows up in luxury and opulence as the son of a wealthy textile factory owner in China during WWII. Having attended the best private schools, having every conceivable luxury available to a young boy growing up in that era, not least of which is being able to give the servants orders in direct contradiction to the instructions given by his mother, his life is abruptly changed when the Japanese take over that part of China. His family moves into a hotel temporarily to see what happens and when the Japanese bomb that part of the city, thought to be safe, there is a panic as thousands of British and Chinese try to escape. Jamie and his parents are separated and do not reunite until the end of the war, approximately four years later. The film is the story of Jamie's survival during that time. An extremely bright and resourceful boy (played brilliantly by Bale), he uses his natural leadership and aggression to stay alive and become indispensable to the American who becomes the unofficial leader (godfather) of the prison camp. The camera work, acting and screenplay are exceptional, not to mention the music. The film loses a little something (I think) when Spielberg gets a little too artistic and surreal but this is still one of Spielberg's best. Overall, a very interesting and worthwhile movie about another slice of WWII and how the human spirit adapts when it is put into survival mode. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.
Excellent May 20, 2009
M. A. Pinto (Milford,CT USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed every aspect of this film. Story,talent and production were spot on. I had wanted to see this film in theater and could not at the time. Rented it and was so impressed that I purchased it to share with family and friends. Great addition to any film library.
Excellent! May 19, 2009
Lara (The South)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love all of Spielberg's work and still consider Jaws and the original Indiana Jones his best works and have watched each over 25 times.
However, I recently watched the film, "Australia" that covers the Japanese invading Austrialia during WWII (another classic movie from another director) and was blown away by how little I knew about the Japanese conquests during that time period. My father was stationed in New Guinea during WWII giving me a personal interest. I recently did a google search on Japanese war movies and this one came up. How had I missed a Spielberg classic? I had started college the year this came out and unfortunately I missed alot of movies that year due to college events.
I have not cried this much since "Seabiscuit". Like "Das Boot", Like "Letters of Iwo Jim", Like "Gone with the Wind", Like "Bridge over the River Kwas", Like "The Sound of Music", this movie left a deep impression on me. To show grace under pressure is divine. This child is Christlike in his interactions. He helps the helpless. Although being persecuted from all sides like Christ, he managing to survive and even thrive given the worst possible conditions imaginable. This reinforces faith in the human condition. I found myself rooting for the kid at every turn and thinking "Please Mr. Spielburg, don't kill Jim!" That would have been too easy and the Oscar Folks would have eaten it up. Their Mantra is "War is Meaningless" and there should be no winners or losers. But Speilburg told them "Yes there are winners and losers". This is a reason that I think this movie was overlooked by the Oscar crowd. Like Christ, Jim's physical body is decayed at the end of the movie. His return to his parents embrace synbolizes the risen Lord who had ascended back to Heaven to live with his Father, God. Jim's face reflects divine peace and happiness and is resplendant from the light from heaven. Christian Bale should have received the Oscar for best actor that year. He totally loses himself in the role. Had Jim Graham been a Homosexual or War Protestor, Bale would have certainly received it. Roger Ebert needs to have his head examined when he calls "Three Kings" a weird masterpiece and gives this movie a very shallow critique. Three Kings is one of the worst movied I have ever watched by the way. It was like Roger was late for a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Party and missed most of Empire of the Sun.
I love and own most of John Williams CDs and often play the Jaws theme music for my kids and we pretend to swim around in the living room attacking each other. I will now have to add this sweeping soundtrack to my library. This joyous music stays with you. This touching move also will. When my children get old enough to watch, they will also be blessed by this timeless story of good vover evil.
God Bless Christan Bale, Mr. Spielburg and everyone associated with this movie. To everyone else who hasn't seen this movie, I highly recommend it.
great condition, thanks! May 11, 2009
Sparky (Colorado)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Movie was in great shape. It is a classic. Great history intertwined with the story.
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