Empire of the Sun poster

Empire of the Sun(1987)

2h 33mDrama, History, WarEnglish
7.5/10
2,133 user ratings

To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.

Overview

Jamie Graham, 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, 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 spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

Director

Steven Spielberg

Studio

Warner Bros. Pictures

Budget

$35M

Revenue

$67M

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Cast

Christian Bale

Christian Bale

as Jim

John Malkovich

John Malkovich

as Basie

Miranda Richardson

Miranda Richardson

as Mrs. Victor

Nigel Havers

Nigel Havers

as Dr. Rawlins

Joe Pantoliano

Joe Pantoliano

as Frank Demarest

Leslie Phillips

Leslie Phillips

as Maxton

Masatô Ibu

Masatô Ibu

as Sgt. Nagata

Emily Richard

Emily Richard

as Jim's Mother

Rupert Frazer

Rupert Frazer

as Jim's Father

Peter Gale

as Mr. Victor

Takatarô Kataoka

Takatarô Kataoka

as Kamikaze Boy Pilot

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller

as Dainty

Where to Watch

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Movie Facts

Release Year

1987

Runtime

2h 33m

Language

English

Rating

7.5 / 10

Budget

$35M

Box Office

$67M

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures • Amblin Entertainment

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Empire of the Sun?

Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Empire of the Sun (1987).

What is Empire of the Sun about?

Jamie Graham, 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, 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 spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

Who directed Empire of the Sun?

Empire of the Sun was directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1987. It is a drama, history, war film.

How long is Empire of the Sun?

Empire of the Sun has a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes (153 minutes total).

Who stars in Empire of the Sun?

The cast of Empire of the Sun includes Christian Bale as Jim, John Malkovich as Basie, Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Victor, Nigel Havers as Dr. Rawlins, Joe Pantoliano as Frank Demarest and more.

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