The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor is a 1987 epic biographical historical drama film that follows the story of Puyi, the last Emperor of China. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci; Produced by Jeremy Thomas; Screenplay by Mark Peploe and Bernardo Bertolucci; Based on the 1960 autobiography "From Emperor to Citizen: The Autobiography of Aisin-Gioro Puyi" He was born to rule a world of ancient tradition. Nothing prepared him for our world of change Puyi The Forbidden City had become a theater without an audience. So, why did the actors remain on the stage? This isn't a school; it's a prison. A real prison. After a few years, the tiny republic had become as corrupt as the old Empire. It fell quickly into the hands of ambitious generals and corrupt bureaucrats. Anything Western was good. Especially Wrigley's chewing gum, Bayer aspirin, and cars. Jin Yuan The Americans believe everyone is born good. You must be judged. Your salvation will lie entirely in the attitude you take! Reginald Johnston The Emperor has been a prisoner in his own palace since the day that he was crowned, and has remained a prisoner since he abdicated. But now he's growing up, he may wonder why he's the only person in China who may not walk out of his own front door. I think the Emperor is the loneliest boy on Earth. Dialogue Jin Yuan: Perhaps you think we're here to teach men to lie in a new way? [Puyi continues working as if trying to ignore the Governor] Why did you sign every accusation made against you? I didn't stop you from killing yourself to see you like this! Someone who will sign anything to please his enemies... to please me! [Puyi continues working] You knew about a lot of things in Manchukuo... even the secret agreements. But you couldn't possibly have known about the Japanese biological warfare experiments in Harbin! Could you? So why did you sign these papers? Puyi: I was responsible for everything. Jin Yuan: You are responsible for what you do! All your life you thought you were better than everyone else. Now you think you're the worst of all! Puyi: [sighs] Why can you not leave me alone? You saved my life to make me a puppet in your own play. You saved me because I am useful to you. Jin Yuan: Is that so terrible? To be useful? Puyi, age 15: Who is this George Washington? Reginald Johnston: A famous American, Your Majesty. A revolutionary general, the first American president. Puyi, age 15: Ah, like Mr. Lenin in Russia? Reginald Johnston: Not quite.Puyi, age 15: Does he have a car?Reginald Johnston: He lived a long time ago, Your Majesty.Puyi, age 15''': I'' want a car. Cast John Lone as Puyi (adult) Richard Vuu as Puyi (3 years old) Tijger Tsou as Puyi (8 years old) Wu Tao as Puyi (15 years old) Joan Chen as Wanrong Peter O'Toole as Reginald Johnston Ying Ruocheng as Jin Yuan, the Detention Camp Governor Victor Wong as Chen Baochen Dennis Dun as Big Li Ryuichi Sakamoto as Masahiko Amakasu Maggie Han as Eastern Jewel (Yoshiko Kawashima) Ric Young as the Camp Interrogator Vivian Wu as Wenxiu Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Chang Jade Go as Ar Mo Fumihiko Ikeda as Colonel Yoshioka Fan Guang as Pujie (adult), Puyi's younger brother Henry Kyi as Pujie (7 years old) Alvin Riley III as Pujie (14 years old) Lisa Lu as Empress Dowager Cixi Basil Pao as Prince Chun, Puyi's father. Dong Liang as Lady Consort Chun, Puyi's mother. Henry O as the Lord Chamberlain External links The Last Emperor 0093389 The Last Emperor Category:1987 films Category:1980s American films Category:1980s British films Category:1980s Italian films Category:Biographical films Category:Drama films Category:Epic films Category:Historical films Category:Films based on non-fiction books Category:Films set in the 1910s Category:Films set in the 1920s Category:Films set in the 1930s Category:Films set in the 1940s Category:Films set in palaces Category:Films set in China Category:Best Picture Academy Award winners Category:Films directed by Bernardo Bertolucci Category:Films whose writers won Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award