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Empire of the Sun (Widescreen) (Dual-layered DVD)
- Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson
- Director: Steven Spielberg
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Description
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
Features
- Genre: Drama
- Category: Childhood Drama, POW Drama, War Drama
- Theme: Innocence Lost, Life Under Occupation, Political Unrest
- Release Date: November 03, 2009
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)Rating Opens in New Window - Adult Language, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Violence
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Lead Actors: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano
- Supporting Actors: Ralph Michael, Kong Guo-Jun, Frank Duncan, Burt Kwouk, Ronald Eng, Simon Harrison, Shi Rui Qing, Tom Danaher, Ann Castle, Za Chuan Ce, Yvonne Gilan, Shirley Chantrell, Paul McGann, Marc de Jonge, Lu Ye, Guo Xue Liang, Jack Dearlove, James Greene, Ann Queensbury, Anna Turner
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Picture Format: Widescreen
- Run Time: 2 hr 32 min
- Language: English, French
- Subtitle Language: English, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish
- Format: DVD
Additional Information
- DPCI: 246-04-3919
- ASIN: B002SWFWXS
- Catalog #: 11700719
- Item can not be gift wrapped.
Shipping & Policies
- You may return this item to any Target store.Opens in New Window
- Shipping & Delivery InformationOpens in New Window
- Estimated Ship Dimensions : 7.5 inches length x 5.26 inches width x 0.54 inches height
- Estimated Ship Weight: 0.15 pound.
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Expert Reviews
Those looking for the source of the full-fledged artist behind Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan need look no further than this relatively forgotten Spielberg effort from 1987. Brilliantly utilizing the kids'-eye-view approach honed in E.T. to decidedly different effect, Spielberg captures the terrors and thrills of a wartime childhood separated from every element that had previously allowed life to make sense. A young Christian Bale gives a deeply impressive performance, nicely holding his own against an equally memorable John Malkovich, but it's the tone of the film -- a sense of dreadful wonder in the midst of extreme circumstances, and a detachment that makes Bale's environment seem as alien to viewers as it does to his character -- that makes the most lasting impression. Though not seen as such at the time, this is a major step forward for Spielberg that is well worth rediscovery. Keith Phipps, All Movie Guide
