This is one of Spielberg’s most underrated films. It is a brilliant film. Christian Bale turned in an amazing performance in this movie.

@zigguratofur7298

3 жыл бұрын

also interesting that until that time, spielberg had done big blockbusters about sharks, friendly outerspace aliens, indiana jones, etc. this one for me came out of nowhere, a very intense, dark ww2 drama from prisoner's point of view-how to survive to war's end. it's humanistic, all about character and relatiionships, conflict, comradeship, etc. since then spielberg has done saving private ryan, warhorse, schindler's list and maybe i am forgetting some. he seemed to develop a feel for war films and how to deliver them. this one was big step in that direction.

@rossprohaska6263

3 жыл бұрын

It's not one of, it is "thee one" underrated film that never gets the recognition it so desperately deserves.

@chavezadventure9711

2 жыл бұрын

It was nominate with 7 oscar

@mwake7

2 жыл бұрын

I think it's absolutely brilliant, and official recognition or commendation affect my view Not A Jot! I'm fully capable of making my own judgements!👏💖🌹

@rekkof

2 жыл бұрын

I love this movie on so many levels, 97 what???????????

When he sang everyone remembered their humanity.

@JeromeGardiner

2 ай бұрын

They all knew the world had changed, no longer will their traditions and practices be the same. Conquest would end their culture.

Unforgettable movie! After all these years I have never forgotten that song!

@digithead01

6 ай бұрын

Same here... didn't it just rip your heart out??

Christian Bale was absolutely incredible in this movie, perhaps the greatest child actor of our time, but the bit that really hits me is the shot of the Japanese officer, listening with tears in his eyes (2.37). An image that speaks more than a thousand words.

@johninman7545

Жыл бұрын

Don't you love his singing? It's so touching. I actually knew someone who was in Shanghai during the time of this film. That she got out with her dad- a military atache for the US government was a miracle. Her mother learned fluent Japanese in the mis nineteen thirties

@maralonent6257

Жыл бұрын

The Japanese officer wasn’t moved by his singing, he was crying because of his fellow officers going to their deaths in a lost war. That was the point of the entire scene with everyone’s reactions. This was everyone’s contemplation/reaction to the tragedy that is war.

@larry1824

Жыл бұрын

Both times I saw it the theatre was empty. Even on cable it's never caught on with audiences and it's their loss.

@DeirdreCatherineDoyle

Жыл бұрын

@@johninman7545 AGREE TOTALLY

@winniechen3525

Жыл бұрын

Agree 100% Especially the part regarding Japanese Officer.

Ahhhhh! This Welsh lullaby never stops me from being proud being Welsh.

@seththomas9105

Жыл бұрын

Part of mine too.

@ellehan3003

Жыл бұрын

And I envy you upon hearing this. It's the most beautiful song in existence.

@DashRendar308

Жыл бұрын

Dude this is welsh? I always thought it was Chinese, since he learned it in Shanghai. Thanks youve blown my mind.

@craigj.davies1983

Жыл бұрын

@@DashRendar308 No! It’s Welsh, the language of Wales.

@user-jz8cn9ru5l

6 ай бұрын

良い曲です。天使の歌です。

Without question, Christian Bale executed the best acting performance by a child In the history of film. His performance in "Empire of the Sun" was Oscar-worthy.

@btuesday

5 жыл бұрын

Wrong! Watch Jackie Cooper in "The Champ"

@fiona-lyons

5 жыл бұрын

Without a doubt. This is a horrifying, heart wrenching, beautiful film. My favourite of all time. Bale is beyond superb. People talk about the champ which is sad but clichéd. This is sublime.

@adamgrimsley2900

4 жыл бұрын

@@btuesday spot on

@adamgrimsley2900

4 жыл бұрын

@Pacific Warship nah, definitely The Champ

@penguinpie5056

4 жыл бұрын

get on this kid's level kzread.info/dash/bejne/o42KrcGIody7qs4.html

This film has never left my heart. Christian Bale acting filled me with such emotion that I will never forget.

@Angelaleeish

Жыл бұрын

Same ♡

@dianaryati8032

Жыл бұрын

The same.❤

@johnbowman1076

Жыл бұрын

Same. Saw this when I was 29 and had just shaken off a boring life and tired marriage in the sticks. Was alone in a major exciting city and watched this on a huge screen. Felt like a rebirth. (and it was).

I still think despite all the great movies Christian Bale acted in, this is the unforgetable one.

@jinlets

5 жыл бұрын

Agree! And this is the best scene of Christian Bale (to me).

@ambrosemclaren145

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. It seems impossible he could top this.

@wackadakka3134

3 жыл бұрын

didnt ever see him act in anything ..he cant act

@kimquinn7728

3 жыл бұрын

I thought he was amazing in both this; Swing Kids; The New World. He didn't come in till half way through the film as he played the part of John Rolfe. He gave a very good, compassionate part.

@c.j.forever7990

3 жыл бұрын

Was that him actually doing the singing...

Christian Bales best performance of his career, strangely.

@michellebrown4903

11 күн бұрын

Yup, k will go with that .

I really don't know what I'm doing here, this was my fathers favourite book, it's a cracking story. The film makes me cry, for so many reasons, and yes speilberg is the DB's

MOST UNDERRATED FILM EVER

Amazing this Kid did NOT win an Oscar......Best Child Actor Ever.......

A war movie that is deeply anti-war, it shows that no one wins, and everyone suffers from it.

@josekma1

2 жыл бұрын

There are many winners, none are the ones who actually do the fighting from any nations.... the few... the 1%...

@tomlee3010

Жыл бұрын

Someone always wins from war. Ford motor company supplied engines to Germany during the second world war . It was a business agreement. The higher the ladder you can climb the ....

One of the most beautifully done scenes in cinema ever! It translates across all languages and cultures.

The thing that is so incredible about this movie is it captures innocence, devotion to a cause, and the rawness of WW2. Then through Christian Bale and a great supporting cast and crew into the mix and you have an absolutely incredible movie

Christian Bale, if by some miracle you ever read this - I just want to say, well done and thank you, what an incredible acting performance, especially from someone so young, simply brilliant and one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

One Of the greatest movies ever made. Empire of the Sun：Suo Gan（威爾斯搖籃曲）1987 電影：太陽帝國

@nashvilletennessee3194

5 жыл бұрын

高哲翰 I loved this film when I first saw it and still do to this day! I fill it as one of Steven Spielberg's best movies, although the critics panned it and it didn't do that well at the box office

@thudthud5423

3 жыл бұрын

Not in any way familiar with Welsh, I actually thought that this song was Chinese and that Christian Bale's character had learned it as he had grown up in China.

@colorklimax

3 жыл бұрын

I don't know, but I had the 3-disk VCD (yeah I lost those years ago), I have this in DVD-9. and finally was able to find a 1080p Blu-ray rip.

This is one of those movies you feel emotionally tired after watching.

Was my fav film as a youngster.( Am now 41) This song is still on my play list and the scene where him and his mother and father get separated to then go home and find it has been taken over by japanese still haunts me to this day.

The song is a Welsh lullaby about a mother's love for her baby.

@abigailcruz8915

20 күн бұрын

What is the name?

I went to an all boys Welsh language school. Best days of my childhood. We used to sing it every Friday. The lyrics sing to the heart. Diolch.❤

This movie is so underatted as for bales performance 👏 just outstanding imo

One of the prettiest pieces ever written.

@lynnmarcotte3562

5 жыл бұрын

Agree & wonder why so few views.

@lewismaddox4132

3 жыл бұрын

@Margaret Guest Isn't it the song they were practicing at his cathedral school at the beginning of the film?

@oliverbrownlow5615

Жыл бұрын

@@lewismaddox4132 It is.

Absolutely without a shadow of a doubt my favourite film. Watched as a child and it has stuck with me right up to now at the age of 40. Incredibly moving scenes. There isnt really a night that goes by where I don't hum Suo Gân to my daughter when getting off to sleep. I even named by English pointer Basie after Malkovich' character. Now thats dedication. 🙂

Every time I see this clip I find this Welsh lullaby so beautiful. The melody is so sad & endearing to see a young boy fight all odds against the horrors of war! Yet, it seems it helped keep his spirits alive & kicking! What a gem of a movie by SS! BTW, we Indians love anything emotional - by culture, we are!

@kenoliver8913

Ай бұрын

Kinda misses the complexity of Jim and his attitudes. Experienced terrible horrors of war, but also saw tragic beauty in it - rather too much so in fact. And, like any boy, idol worshiped all pilots - Japanese and American. Though still a child, Jim was a very complicated person.

Jim knew what he respected. Planes in the sky and the bravery of the men who flew them. Todays politicians would call him problematic. He was unique. A complex character.

@kac56

Жыл бұрын

Correct...

@QigongQi

Жыл бұрын

Nagata, the camp commander, told Jim, "Difficult boy!" At the end when the they are wheeling away on train tracks. What the hell do Politicians know?! Same politicans as today as there were then Tojo, Stalin, Hilter, all the same mindsets..

I loved the film Empire of the Sun. It is such an intelligent well made, well acted movie. It is a classic movie. Bale was super in the movie.

When u realize it's young batman.... Spielberg did a great job on this one. One of his BEST works actually.

@majormononoke8958

9 ай бұрын

Batman is not even half this movie, as great as the batman trilogy is. Nothing compares to the fantasy of love.

@souvikdas8249

Ай бұрын

Batman is not just a movie. Batman is a character that has spanned generations and has had impeccable and moving stories in various books. ​@@majormononoke8958

Underrated masterpiece

The movie that makes me cry whenever I watch it.

Every time I listen, tears fill my eyes.. Despite no understanding of the language or the meaning.. This is the real power of humanity

@woltews

6 жыл бұрын

Welsh is a mother trying to get a child to sleep , pilots just see it as a term of respect

@kimlangridge7969

6 жыл бұрын

Sir, this song is actually a Welsh lullaby, very old.

@IIIELVISPRESLEYIII

6 жыл бұрын

The same here. Im spanish speaker BTW...

@LordJasonKing

5 жыл бұрын

Greetings from Wales. Sleep child upon my bosom, It is cosy and warm; Mother's arms are tight around you, A mother's love is in my breast; Nothing shall disturb your slumber, Nobody will do you harm; Sleep in peace, dear child, Sleep quietly on your mother's breast. Sleep peacefully tonight, sleep; Gently sleep, my lovely; Why are you now smiling, Smiling gently in your sleep? Are angels above smiling on you, As you smile cheerfully, Smiling back and sleeping, Sleeping quietly on my breast? Do not fear, it is nothing but a leaf Beating, beating on the door; Do not fear, only a small wave Murmurs, murmurs on the seashore; Sleep child, there's nothing here Nothing to give you fright; Smile quietly in my bosom, On the blessed angels yonder.

@keneasley33

5 жыл бұрын

Very omen like..he sings a lullaby before the plane blows up.

This scene is amazing.

I never knew what it was he was singing.let alone it is welsh,, I don’t need to understand it ,all I know is its absolutely beautiful!!and has been in my heart since 88 when I first heard it! Now that I know it is welsh and my grandparents were welsh immigrants that settled in Pennsylvania mining country maybe iits speaking to me through my blood straight to my heart!!

@WalesintheMovies

3 ай бұрын

Lots of Welsh - Pennsylvania historical links kzread.info/dash/bejne/rGejltp-danRhbQ.htmlsi=7CRtmhZpo9lTT5uC

@KWC33

3 ай бұрын

@@WalesintheMovies actually mistyped it was my great grandparents, my grandfather, my mothers father worked in the mines with his father at a very young age for only a few years. I believe then became a bus driver in Philadelphia for 30 or more years. My mother said he passed away of black lung in their home when she was a teenager. her family name is Griffis

Very powerful movie, Christian bale is unbelievable and has continued to be so in every role he's played since this, he's a once in a lifetime actor, appreciate him while he still works because you won't see his likes again, just a phenomenal actor

This is one of my all time favorite movies .

For my 60th Bday, I treated myself to a trip to Japan and for reasons that I still yet don't understand. I spent the night of my B'day in a hotel room in Hiroshima and watched this movie. By far one of the most poignant Bdays I have had.

One of the most iconic scenes ever 😊❤️☀️ Beautiful

Just amazing. I saw it many years ago, and remember it so well. Christian does truly deserve an award!

An incredibly powerful scene in a film that was full of powerful scenes. Mastery from a child.

@oliverbrownlow5615

Жыл бұрын

One of the things that makes it doubly powerful is that this is the same song we heard Jim sing before at the beginning of the film, in the choir rehearsal scene, where he's a pampered rich kid only half paying attention the choir director.

The state of the art of this movie...

I am not a movie aficionado. I always prefer books to movies, and my film library has only a handful of movies. But when I saw this I was struck by its complexity, depth, and symbolism. It is the only movie, other than the original Star Wars, that I've ever watched over and over again, and each time I see something new. There are two movies, exactly, that to me feel like I'm reading a book when I watch them. They're that engaging. Lawrence of Arabia and Empire of the Sun. There is so much going on each of these movies, and with each new viewing I see something I missed before. The pose of James and his parents the night before the Japanese attack is the exact same pose as the magazine cover that Jim carries with him everywhere he stays. And it's made all the more poignant by his confession to the doctor, "I can't remember what my parents look like." If you haven't seen this movie, it's one of the best movies ever made, in my opinion. Everything else Spielberg has done pales in comparison, and that's saying something.

@kenoliver8913

Ай бұрын

Agree its a fine movie but I think the book is even better - it is one of my favourites. Especially as it is heavily autobiographical. As one reviewer put it "now we know where the magic [ie Ballard's wonderful but horrific imagination] comes from".

This movie lives in me forever

I Love this Movie and I Love Song 🎵 too

i showed this to my daughter when she was 7yo and she cried and asked why are we all mean to eachother because of what happened on the other side of the world. were all beautiful and human and together. I didnt answer her but cried with her

Such a brilliant actor . Beautiful scene.

One of the greatest scenes in film...

I get chills when I hear this song.powerful movie also

Superb. Christian Bale is amazing. Great soundtrack too.

Not too many people know this but quite a bit of this was filmed in Andalucia. Classic & timeless=]

I loved this film ever since I first saw it as a child, it's so moving and well acted. This scene is so heartfelt.

the only film I've ever seen where I can appreciate John Malkovich. He's excellent, and plays a great foil to the character of Jim. I've never liked his other work but here he's understated, somehow kind and yet always dangerous.

@dalesfailssagaofasuslord783

3 жыл бұрын

Agree totally. Not my favorite at all but loved this role for him.

@laurids2007

2 жыл бұрын

Every movie with him is a masterpiece. He lives now in Switzerland and from time to time he acts in the theater in Europe. I love his work and talent.

@mikegalvin9801

2 жыл бұрын

I love when he says "That is one well maintained white boy! Somebody will pay well to get him back." Yet despite his cynicism he comes to really care about Jim

@blackbird5634

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikegalvin9801 He's very ''long john silver'' in this role right?

@mikegalvin9801

2 жыл бұрын

@@blackbird5634 😀

Easily Spielberg's best film even to this day. So beautiful and powerfully raw in its emotions.

I remember sitting in the theater during this scene then rising to my feet applauding and cheering the Mustang Pilot.

Great, 👍👍👍

This is a great movie. This music it goes right through me. True Honor Respect

One of the absolute best god damn transitions (Act 4 to Act 5) in the history of film.

My mamgi once told me Suo Han is the lullaby for those who won’t wake

@AA-hi6os

3 жыл бұрын

Wow. That’s incredibly sad.

It's hard to choose a favorite among so many great tracks, but "Suo Gan" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message, crucial really. And it's beautifully stated in the film's title.

No matter how hard we tried to understand wars Wars never understand us That’s reminds me of the many wars I’ve seen many people I’ve lost 😔

this underrated is my all time favorite.

I remember watching this when I was 9 or 10 years old, and nearly jumping out f my seat when plane blew up

one of best scene in all movies...tears

Bane waiting for Batman to finish singing: "That's a lovely, lovely voice."

@Adream-gk9vp

3 жыл бұрын

That´s what I was thinking about too.

Best movie ever watch since my chilhood..

Año 2023 y aún estoy viendo esta película y escuchando la banda sonora... Saludos desde #Guatemala

Great movie, everyone should see.

Can't stop the tears.

Con el tiempo, esta película se alza como una de las mejores. Montaje, actuación y poesía.

A Christmas Carol 2019 bought me back here. Not seen this film in years.... brilliant

Just about one of my most favourite films.

I had no idea what i was getting into when I watched this movie, but wow what a wild ride!

Good job of acting....He was 13 at the time....the singing voice belongs to James Rainbird...The song made it into the script because the real Jim was in a Choir in England....and it is in his book of the same name. "Empire of the Sun"by James Ballard...

This scene is masterpiece and enough emotional to bring tears every time i watch it.

@butchyshoe

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think hitler ever cried. Well, maybe once, just before he pulled the trigger to blow his head OFF !!!

@poo2choo

3 жыл бұрын

Your name is Adolf shjtler. Shame on you.

@77fonebone

2 жыл бұрын

This whole sequence was amazing. This scene is immediately followed by Jim running up onto the roof and imagining the p51 pilot waving at him and then Jim completely breaking down as his time of imprisonment and missing his former life comes crashing back down on him.

@despacitodaniel801

Жыл бұрын

you started this war, Hitler

Christopher Bale's first movie and what a movie. KZread has the movie to rent or buy for those who never watched it.

@Gwaithmir

2 ай бұрын

I have it on DVD.

The Japanese are singing a song named Umi Ukabe - a war song that all the Kamikaze sang before going out to their final attack. Then they drank a cup of Sake, shouted "10000 years for the Emperor, Hurray!" (Tenno heika, Banzai!) then ran to their planes declaring "We shall meet again in [the] Yasukuni [temple] then fly to attack and die

@chrisatherton9641

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. I’ve always wondered what the Japanese pilots were singing. I had presumed the Japanese anthem. Adds even more to the scene for sure. Very sad really.

@oliverbrownlow5615

Жыл бұрын

"Suo Gân," on the other hand, is a lullaby.

@uma_uma355

Жыл бұрын

@@chrisatherton9641 海行かば (umi yukaba) If I go away to the sea

Such a heavenly beautiful song used perfectly in this stunning film. The masterpiece of Spielberg and cinematic composer for the ages, John Williams.

Very underrated film. The only thing is that Bale's mouth is never fully shut in this film.

@deejay3265

4 жыл бұрын

He's a mouth-breather, like me. : )

Thiers so much Honor. In this clip.

Fantastic cast performances one ov the best films ever made, music mesmoising 👍🎥🎵

Speilburgs best movie and best series that goes well with Empire of the Sun is the Pacific. Often I cannot help but empathise with Jim Ballads character based on his experience "when Jim says he cannot rember his parents in the cadillac of the skies scene I cannot help but cry for him and so I hear so did many of the film crew.

ЭТОТ ФИЛЬМ Я ЗАПОМНИЛА И ТОЧНО НЕ ЗАБУДУ !!!! ШЕДЕВР !!! БАЛЛАДА!!!! НЕТ СЛОВ !!

Greatest lullaby ever.

One of the great cinematic moments...

When the plan fly into the sun they explane the film titel, Empire of the sun! This film is a masterpeace and is one of the best movie i ever seen ❤️

Back then, when films were really films...

What a beautiful voice

Goosebump everytime watch this

What a boss he is, has always crushed it in a film, Bless you

I think the best part of the movie was when the captives are being march away from the coast in the morning. And the bright second sun appears on the horizon toward Japan.

Impossível não me emocionar de novo ... que cena marcante, comovente ... certeza que todas as pessoas q assistiram esse inesquecível filme tbm se emociona

@anteantisin2059

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

A sober and tragic scene, immediately followed by a triumphant victory. What a rollarcoaster.

The most moving story. Christian Bale the bèst!

@csthompson9785

3 жыл бұрын

If you haven't seen Flowers of War from 2011, it's another great performance by Bale!

@THEDOORIZCLOSED

3 жыл бұрын

@@csthompson9785 omg YESSSSS! The ending was BRUTAL

Such a beautiful scene

My favorite movie moment for sure.

Fantastic film

I really love a great film like that.

I find this movie very moving.

Sad that the treble choirister who actually San Suo Gan was not credited. His name was James Rainbird.

@oliverbrownlow5615

Жыл бұрын

You've credited him now. And he is credited on the Original Soundtrack Album. I'd be surprised if his name isn't in the film's lengthy end credits, too.

Have come across several videos of Guo San including choirs and this one by Bale in the movie is by far the best rendition. Very controlled singing.

@sethc6663

Жыл бұрын

Sung by James Rainbird, lip-synced by Christian Bale

@audy2817

Жыл бұрын

ah, ok. I thought he really sang it...but still good.

Un Chef d'Oeuvre !!! Christian Bale fut un enfant doué et il est devenu un homme très très talentueux...