Empire of the Sun [DVD] [1987] by Christian Bale

Beautifully done and superbly acted, which is generally true of Speilberg's films I think. I'm not a Speilberg fan per se but the quality of his work is undeniably excellent and having only recently seen this film I am surprised at how very effectively this very mainstream American director has brought the feel and the strange atmosphere of JG Ballard's writing to the screen. You can almost see the original lines of the novel as even the visual sequences unfold. Speilberg's strength with Ballard's material is in being able to bring out the peculiarly deteriorating mindset of the characters in the way that Ballard is so relentlessly fond of describing in his books and then presenting the strange experiences of the central character through that mindset. The result is both dreamlike and brutal.I bought this because I am a huge fan of the dark, surreal fiction of JG Ballard and the way he filters reality through his perception and peculiar obsessions. I wasn't especially interested in reading Empire of the Sun as I thought it was going to be a dull autobiography set in a world and a time I couldn't relate to, but in fact it is a useful insight into the experiences that have coloured the vision of the man. I haven't been able to read the whole novel which is why I resorted to buying the DVD, and I'm glad I did.

I have watched this WWII portrayal several times and each time I learn something new of the horrors of war and the specifc adventure a young british boy experiences as he struggles then fights tooth and nail to survive the brutal stark indignity and horrors of captivity and basic starvation during japenese led invasion and capture.A heart breaking story with loads of adventures along the way. The boy grows from pampered sheltered middle class "plenty"- to abject suffering and lack.A happy ending I am pleased to say of a "comming of age" young boy who gets seperated from his mother during the round up for the concentration camps during WWII. I shan't tell you anymore,just to say: "Go AND Buy IT. You wont be disapointed.A young Christopher bale ('Batman') makes his debut here and impressive it is as he acts his heart out. Sings hauntingly pure, too. Probably one of his finest performnances. Very watchable. Full of haunting brutality. Imaginative honest sensitive scenes and massive direction. At times over the top. At other times very understated...cleverly done.

My husband kept telling me this film was good and was disgusted I had never seen it so I bought him a copy for his birthday. Its a good story to show a different viewpoint to the war, from a child s eyes and how it changes people. Very easy to watch and nice that it doesn't contain swearing throughout to emphasize its point like many films about the war.

I ENJOYED THIS FILMITS WORTH A WATCH

I always loved this film and kept thinking about getting my own copy and at last I have. Its a breathtakingly beautiful film that you can get lost in,my favourite part is the scene right at the end of the film - but I wont spoil it for you if you havent seen it! Eeveryone needs to see this film to understand the futility and waste of war

Got this for my daughter while she was learning about ww2 at school. I thought it would give her an insight of ww2 without all the blood and gore of some war films. She really enjoyed it. Of course she did it's a bloody classic.

Story is excellent and very moving - a brilliant portrayal by Christian Bale and many cameo roles including one by Leslie Philips.

IMAO... the best film ever.. except for ... well... its a real good watch.. dont let anyone borrow it, u wont get it back!