Empire of the Sun

Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Screen Play By: Tom Stoppard
Based On: Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard
Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers
Produced By: Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Production: Amblin Entertainment
Release Date: December 11, 1987 (United States)
Content: General

Plot: Amid Japan's invasion of China during World War II, Jamie "Jim" Graham is a British upper middle class schoolboy enjoying a privileged life in the Shanghai International Settlement. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan begins occupying the settlement. As the Graham family evacuate the city, Jamie is separated from his parents in the ensuing chaos. Jamie makes his way back to their house, assuming they will return. After a length of time alone and having eaten the little remaining food, he ventures back into the city.

Hungry, Jamie tries surrendering to Japanese soldiers, who ignore him. After being chased by a street urchin, he is taken in by two American expatriates and hustlers, Basie and Frank. Unable to sell Jamie for money, they intend to abandon him in the streets, but Jamie offers to lead them to his neighbourhood to loot the empty houses there. Jamie is surprised to see lights on in his family home and thinks his parents have returned, only to discover it is occupied by Japanese troops. The trio are taken prisoner, transported to the Lunghua Civilian Assembly Centre in Shanghai for processing, and ultimately sent to an internment camp in Suzhou.

It is now 1945, nearing the end of the Pacific War. Despite the terror and poor living conditions of the camp, Jim survives by establishing a successful trading network—which even involves the camp's commander, Sergeant Nagata. Dr Rawlins, the camp's British doctor, becomes a father figure and teacher to Jim. Jim also visits Basie in the American POW barracks, where he idolises the Americans and their culture. One night after a bombing raid, Nagata orders the destruction of the prisoners' infirmary as a reprisal, but stops when Jim eloquently begs forgiveness. Through the barbed wire fencing Jim befriends a Japanese teenager who is a trainee pilot.

One morning, at dawn, the base is suddenly attacked by a group of American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft. Jim is overjoyed and climbs the ruins of a nearby pagoda to better watch the action.

DR Rawlins chases Jim up the pagoda to save him, whereupon the boy breaks down in tears—saying he cannot remember what his parents look like. Dr. Rawlins comforts Jim and carries him down from the pagoda. As a result of the attack the Japanese decide to evacuate the camp. Basie escapes during the confusion. As they leave, Jim's trainee pilot friend goes through the ritual kamikaze preparation and attempts to take off in a Japanese attack plane. The trainee is devastated when the engine sputters and dies.

End of Spoilers

Review: J.G. Ballard's novel, The Empire of the Sun,was made into a movie by Steven Spielberg in 1987. The story centres on the life of an 12 year privileged youth experiences war. What Steven Spielberg has created is a gritty and challenging emotional journey.

In 1941 the Japanese have taken control of most of China in the Sino-Japanese war. With a growing expansionist programme, Japan is taking advantage of the current conflict in Europe. Seeing the weakness of many countries as an opportunity to take advantage and grab land and resources. While in Shanghai, an international settlement, many westerners continue to lead comfortable western-styled life's. An existence at the expense of those who live life at the lower level of society. A cushioned sheltered life where Jamie Graham, the 12 year old protagonist, has a cold reality check. The wake call comes when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor Simultaneously attacking Shanghai; forcing Western residents to evacuate immediately. It was through Jamie's self absorbed distracted attention that he becomes separated from his parents during the evacuation. He finds himself alone and for the first time fending for himself.

It is through this turmoil and chaos that Jamie grows up. Learning just how fake and cruel the world he lived in was. While learning that difference between what he could change and those that he couldn't. This film is a great expression of character study. We watch as Jamie survives through a war that rages around him. Yet he still holds to his love of aircraft and his admiration for the Japanese pilots. Even though his comprehension of who they are and the pain that they are suffering is.

This is a beautiful and also painful movie that tells the story of a young persons fight to stay alive. While fighting to be reunited with his parents. A story that will challenge you from beginning to end.

M J Flack