Based on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy, living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion, Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich, Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp, the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood, the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered, privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes.~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

GENRE: War, Drama, Historical
MPAA RATING: No Rating
RUN TIME: 2h 34m
RELEASE DATE: December 25, 1987
STARRING: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Joe Pantoliano, Leslie Phillips
DIRECTOR(S): Steven Spielberg
PRODUCER(S): Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
WRITER(S): Tom Stoppard, Menno Meyjes, J. G. Ballard
STUDIO: