courtesy impawards.com
SYNOPSIS
Steven Spielberg’s film EMPIRE OF THE SUN is an inspiring, action-packed epic of a small boy in a great war. That boy is Jim Graham, a young Briton whose unconquerable spirit soars high and free above the harsh confines of a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Through his eyes we see the fascination and horror of war. And we see a child’s hold onto childhood weaken as his struggle to survive grows fiercer.
Based on J. G. Ballard’s memorable bestseller, this first major Hollywood studio production ever to shoot in the People’s Republic of China earned 1987 National Board of Review awards for Best Picture and Director, as well as a special citation for Outstanding Juvenile Performance for Christian Bale as Jim.
Source: DVD Cover
REVIEW
OMG! That was Christian Bale as Jim? Imagine that! No wonder he was so frikkin’ cute. Recognizable by voice alone was John Malkovich as Basie. And sure enough — verified through a picture I production still I saw on toutlecine.com — Ben Stiller (Dainty) was in the movie as well. I did not even recognize him.
I thought Bale turned in a fine performance for someone so young. What really moved me about Bale’s character was his unending loyalty to Basie (Malkovich), who apparently, while a selfish man, understandable under the circumstances. The movie was long, but interesting, though not at all what I had expected. Apparently, I had checked out the wrong movie; I was trying to get 
The Last Emperor.
The end nearly had me in tears; very emotional. Great movie; recommended viewing.
