A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.
- Nominated for 6 Oscars
- 13 wins & 17 nominations total
Masatô Ibu
- Sgt. Nagata
- (as Masato Ibu)
Takatarô Kataoka
- Kamikaze Boy Pilot
- (as Takatoro Kataoka)
Naishe Zhai
- Yang
- (as Zhai Nai She)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaEric Flynn, who plays a British POW, was actually a POW as a child in a Japanese camp.
- GoofsJim uses CPR on the dying woman. CPR was developed in 1960.
- Crazy creditsThe film title has the "Sun" lit up by the sun.
- SoundtracksSuo Gan
Performed by The Ambrosian Junior Choir
Arranged and conducted by John McCarthy
Soloist James Rainbird
Featured review
I came across this film while I was flipping through the channels on my t.v. This is truly an astounding film. The inimitable dialogue, the dazzling scenes, and most importantly the profundity of its premise make this film unforgettable and worthy of sycophantic obsession. I was completely enraptured by the brilliant acting. I believe this is Steven Spielberg's most noteworthy film. His other movies pale in comparison to this one. John Malkovich and Christian Bale are incredible as usual, but in this film they bring to life a story of a boy who loses everything due to a country trying to conquer everything. The physical and mental destruction of war and the injurious effects of loneliness are very clichéd themes, but this film conveys them in an incomparable way. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite films, and I suggest that everyone take the time to watch it. It would be exceedingly foolish of one to not watch it.
- NeuroticMovieLover
- Dec 12, 2004
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Empire of the Sun
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $35,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $22,238,696
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,314,509
- Dec 13, 1987
- Gross worldwide
- $22,239,121
- Runtime2 hours 33 minutes
- Color
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