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Steven Spielberg's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, with a young Christian Bale playing our spoiled young British hero, living...
Steven Spielberg's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, with a young Christian Bale playing our spoiled young British hero, living with his rich family in pre-World War II Shanghai. When Japan invades, the boy is separated from his parents and his world is shattered.
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77 %65 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® rating
90 %60,559 reviewsAudience score rating
"It is up to young English thesp Bale to engage the viewer's interest, which he does superbly."
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Variety
Variety"Spielberg includes a strand of populist heroism, yet even this fails to dent the awful message. And the budget makes itself seen, as does Bale's superlative Jim."
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Time Out
Time Out"There are many glorious moments here."
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The New York Times
The New York Times"The movie is always interesting from a narrative point of view. Spielberg is a good storyteller with a good tale to tell. But it never really adds up to anything."
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Roger Ebert
Roger EbertEmpire of the Sun | Details
Award winner- Best Cinematography, Score and Sound, BAFTA Awards 1989
- Rating
- PG, Violence
- Runtime
- 153
- Genre
- Drama, War
- Country of origin
- USA
