Empire Of The Sun [Blu-ray] [1987]

Bathed in nostalgia, and filled with sadness for the irrevocability of the past, for "a strange, inconceivable England" as Ballard says in his novel Empire of the Sun (New Windmills) (ch. 2) - albeit an England surreally transposed to the far east - Spielberg perfectly captures the spirit of the book with his gorgeous cinematography and a superb soundtrack courtesy of John Williams, including the hauntingly beautiful Suo Gan - a song which I don't think has ever been sung more beautifully (the soloist in this performance was James Rainbird). Complemented by a stellar cast, Christian Bale deserves a great deal of credit for his outstanding performance as Jim.Blu-ray releases are often a case of hit-and-miss, but I'm glad to say that this blu-ray is excellent. Fans of the film will find that the cinematography is *enormously* enhanced by its being presented in glorious HD - the pin-sharp picture is just a complete joy to watch from beginning to end.Extras:Making-of documentary, 'The China Odyssey'Theatrical trailer(Both these were formerly available on DVD. Neither are in HD.)The film can be listened to in its original (English language) soundtrack, or dubbed into French, German, Italian, Spanish (both Castilian and Latin), and Portuguese.Optional subtitles:English, French, German, Italian, Spanish (again, both kinds), Portuguese, Dutch, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Chinese.Comparison with US release:The US release of this movie: Empire of the Sun [Blu-ray] [1987] [US Import] - which is multi-region, so can be viewed on any UK blu-ray player - is a special digibook version with a second disc. The second disc is a documentary about Warner Bros' WWII propaganda department, entitled "Warner at War". This 2008 documentary (which is narrated by Spielberg, and lasts about three-quarters of an hour) has really nothing to do with the movie (the Intro to the documentary can be viewed on YouTube). But the digibook itself is very nice. It has some well chosen photos from the movie and is quite a handsome product. However, at the time of writing, it does cost considerably more than the UK release. So if you're not much bothered with the packaging and are only interested in the disc content, then I'd probably go with the UK release since it is significantly cheaper, and the bonus feature on the second disc of the US release is not really an "extra" related to this movie.

I watched this film many years ago and I enjoyed it at least as much watching it again

This is Oliver Twist transplanted to Shanghai during the Japanese expansion into China and the Far East which culminated in Nagasaki and Hiroshima via Pearl Harbour. A boy is separated from his parents during the stampede to escape Japanese imperial forces and is taken up by two Americans in search of loot. The hypothesis is that once hungry, survival dictates that people discard loyalty to their socio- economic group, in this case very well to do colonials living in palatial houses served by local people. The break between the boy and his parents takes place following a fancy dress party, emphasising the make believe nature of the privileged existence of the Europeans in China. Christian Bale as the enterprising young man points out the assets to be acquired by his American handlers in the millionaire's row he has recently left for the open road, but his partners in crime find the Japanese in residence instead. The next stop is an internment camp where Bale salutes Japanese airmen, saves the camp doctor (Nigel Havers) by making abasement to a Japanese guard who attacks Havers with a bamboo rod and sings in salute of kamikaze pilots as the tide of conflict turns against Japan. When the Americans fly into the camp on board their Mustangs, he cheers them. His emotions are torn by admiration for aviators on both sides and his friendship for a Japanese boy killed tragically by the American wheeler dealers in search of further loot. It is a tale of courage and survival which would be understood best by those who have experienced such events. As a visual page turner with some surreal moments, like the sudden discovery of a deserted enclosure full of fabulous antiques, it represents excellent value.

I really like this film because of its historical setting (Japan in WW2). Excellent sound track and a stunning debut performance from a young Christian Bale.

Item arrived on time, in good working order

One of Stephen Spielbergs gems, not often shown on TV these days but this film has it all. Christian Bale played a superb part in this film, which for me starts with him being an irritating spoilt boy being brought up in opulence in Shanghai just at the start of the Japanese entry into WW2. The film gathers pace and show's Jim (Bale) being forced to survive without his parents any way he can and come of age. It's a great story of endurance and adaptation and has some very touching scenes in it. Superbly supported by the likes of Nigel Havers, John Malkovich to name a few it's a great film for all ages to show the harshness of the war with the Japanese. For me the best bit of the movie is the well known scene with Jim on the roof of the pagoda overlooking the airfield as it comes under attack. The late, great Ray Hanna flying a P51 Mustang as it should be and Jim's feelings as he shouts out how he feels about it all only to come crashing down when he realises he can't remember what his parents look like, if it doesn't move you then nothing will, buy it.