Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 American coming of age war film about a young English boy who struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of Shanghai during World War II. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Written by Tom Stoppard, based on J. G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.taglines Jim Graham Wah, ha ha! Go! P-51, Cadillac of the sky! Learned a new word today: "Atom bomb". It was like a white light in the sky, like God taking a photograph. I could bring everyone back. Dialogue Jim: I was dreaming about God. Mary Graham: What did he say? Jim: Nothing. He was playing tennis. Perhaps that's where God is all the time and that's why you can't see Him when you're awake, do you think? Mary Graham: I don't know. I don't know about God. Jim: Perhaps He's our dream... and we're His. Jim: [about the Japanese troops camped nearby] It almost looks as if they're waiting for something to happen... John Graham: Yes. Jim: They didn't look angry or anything... Maxton: It's not their anger; it's their patience. Jim: [as Frank and Basie are about to leave him in the street] Basie, first I could show you some rich pickings. Hundreds of houses left empty. I could show you some of the houses I lived in before Frank found me. They were luxuriant! Basie: Luxuriant? You had good sense being born there, Jim. I'm sure there was good living. Jim: There certainly was good living, Basie. There - there was opulence! Basie: Heh heh. Opulence. Frank, we'll go and take a look at some of these houses. Let's go, Frank. Opulence. Basie: What did you say your name was boy? Jim: Jamie and I'm building a man-flying kite and writing a book called Contract Bridge. Basie: Jim: a new name for a new life. Dainty: Hey kid, would you like a Hershey bar? Jim: Oh yes please Dainty! Dainty: So would I kid. Have you got one? Jim: If the Americans land, the Japanese will fight. Dr. Rawlins: You admire the Japanese? Jim: Well, they're brave, aren't they? Dr. Rawlins: That's important, is it, Jim? Jim: It's a good thing if you want to win a war. Dr. Rawlins: But we don't want them to win, do we. Remember, we're British. Jim: Yes. I've never been there. Jim: Dr. Rawlins, do you remember how we had helped build the runway? If we'd died like the others, our bones would be in the runway. In a way, it's our runway! Dr. Rawlins: No, it's their runway, Jim! Try not to think so much! Try not to think so much! [silence] Jim: I can't remember what my parents look like. Basie: Jim, didn't I teach you anything? Jim: Yes. You taught me that people will do anything for a potato. Jim: We'll have to leave the camp. Basie: That's the idea, Jim. First one side feeds you and the other side tries to get you killed, then it's turned around; it's all timing. Taglines To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him. Cast Christian Bale - Jamie "Jim" Graham John Malkovich - Basie Miranda Richardson - Mrs. Victor Nigel Havers - Dr. Rawlins Ben Stiller - Dainty See also J. G. Ballard External links Empire of the Sun (film) Empire of the Sun at the Internet Movie Database Empire of the Sun at the TCM Movie Database 15759 Empire of the Sun Category:American epic films Category:Films based on English novels Category:World War II films Category:1987 films Category:1987 American films Category:1987 English-language films Category:American aviation films Category:American coming-of-age drama films Category:Chinese-language American films Category:Films directed by Steven Spielberg Category:Films set in Shanghai Category:Films set in the 1940s Category:Japanese-language American films