Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Table of Contents
Where to Watch Empire of the Sun What to Know Critics Reviews Audience Reviews My Rating Cast & Crew More Like This Related Movie News Photos Empire of the Sun Movie Info References
77% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 90% Audience Score 50,000+ Ratings Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie (John Malkovich), who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirits, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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Empire of the Sun

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Empire of the Sun

What to Know

Critics Consensus

One of Steven Spielberg's most ambitious efforts of the 1980s, Empire of the Sun remains an underrated gem in the director's distinguished filmography.

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See Also
'Empire of the Sun' (Published 1987)Empire of the Sun Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummaryHow telling the heartbreaking story of a boy in wartime turned Steven Spielberg into a grown-up filmmakerEmpire of the Sun movie review (1987) | Roger Ebert

Critics Reviews

View All (64) Critics Reviews
Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Kevin Maher Times (UK) [Stephen Spielberg's] graduation to grown-up film-making. Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Gilbert Adair Sight & Sound What is most remarkable about Empire of the Sun then, is the almost seamless fashion in which a faithful adaptation... has nevertheless contrived to become a proto-Spielbergian affirmation of faith and optimism in the universe. Jan 28, 2020 Full Review Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (3) David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture Empire of the Sun is a great, overwrought movie that leaves one wordless and worn out. Dec 31, 2019 Full Review Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Jana Monji Age of the Geek A boy born in privilege (Christian Bale) scrambles to survive two years in a Japanese concentration camp. The film takes place in China during World War II, but there are no prominent Chinese characters. This is an intriguing example of Asian erasure. Rated: 2/5 May 3, 2024 Full Review Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... a perfect marriage of the director’s affinity for a child’s wonder and innocence, his grown-up understanding of the horrors of war, and his impeccable technique. Sep 9, 2023 Full Review Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Michael Clark Epoch Times In the context of Spielberg’s overall output from a quality perspective, “Empire” lands just below the halfway point. Had it been made by a first-time director, it would’ve been considered impressive; instead, it serves as a perfunctory transition piece. Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 29, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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geert v Visually impressive, but rather shallow movie with a bad script and uninteresting characters, except for Bale who is acting great in his first major role. Spielberg represents the life in a Japanese prisoncamp very unrealistically. The first half of the film is the best. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/24/24 Full Review Brett J This movie transcends time as one of the greats. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Axel Andres S Un de las mejores películas bélicas basadas en la Guerra del Pacífico entre el imperio japonés y EE. UU, sobre la invasión de este a la ciudad de Hong Kong, relatando la vida de los prisioneros en los campos de concentración y una excelente actuacion de Christian Bale en los comienzos de su carrera. Destacar el ambiente y escenografía del momento en que ocurrió este conflicto desde los comienzos de la invasión japonesa hasta el final de la segunda guerra mundial. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/15/23 Full Review matthias s "Empire of the Sun" is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that tells the story of a young boy's journey through war-torn China.The performances, particularly that of Christian Bale as the young protagonist, are outstanding. The film's depiction of the harsh realities of war is both brutal and realistic, but it also manages to convey the resilience and hope of the human spirit.The film's pacing can be slow at times, and some of the subplots feel a bit underdeveloped."Empire of the Sun" is a well-made and impactful film that is definitely worth watching. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/09/23 Full Review Benjamin H While it is a bit sprawling and doesn't nail the emotional center that it's story provides, Empire of the Sun is a dazzling looking coming-of-age epic that has sentimental, tonal on-point writing and a marvellous performance from Christian Bale ultimalely making this an underrated picture in Spielberg's highly polished filmography. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/05/23 Full Review dave O Brilliant movie. Truly a gripping story with good acting. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Empire of the Sun

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

Steven Spielberg Director Christian Bale Jim "Jamie" Graham John Malkovich Basie Miranda Richardson Mrs. Victor Nigel Havers Dr. Rawlins Joe Pantoliano Frank Demarest
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See Also
Empire Of The Sun, J G Ballard | 9780007221523 | Boeken | bol

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Photos

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Empire of the Sun

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie (John Malkovich), who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirits, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

Director
Steven Spielberg

Producer
Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg

Screenwriter
Tom Stoppard

Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Rating
PG

Genre
Adventure

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 9, 1987, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2016

Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.0M

Runtime
2h 32m

Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now
Empire of the Sun | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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