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.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
- High Production Values
- High Artistic Quality
- Sleeper
- Innocence Lost
- Triumph Of The Spirit
- Political Unrest
- Life Under Occupation
- War
- Childhood-adventures
- Riches-to-rags
- Survival
- Teen
- Child-abuse
- Prison
- Survivor



