7.2
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Drama, History, War • 1987 • 153 min • Older Kids (7+)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Overview
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
Starring Cast
Christian Bale • John Malkovich • Miranda Richardson
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Christianity: Positive
Viewer Rating
7.2
Overview
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
Starring Cast
Christian Bale • John Malkovich • Miranda Richardson
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
Political: Center
Confidence: High
The film focuses on the universal human experience of war and survival through a child's perspective, emphasizing the loss of innocence and individual resilience without promoting a specific political ideology or offering an ideological solution to conflict.
Diversity: Low
Confidence: High
The film features traditional casting for its primary roles, aligning with the historical context of its characters. The narrative focuses on the experiences of a young white male protagonist without explicitly critiquing or negatively framing traditional identities within a DEI framework.
Secondary
Christianity: Positive
Confidence: High
The film uses Christian hymns and cultural references, particularly during Christmas, to evoke a sense of longing for home, peace, and lost innocence among the British internees. These elements are portrayed sympathetically, serving as a source of comfort and resilience in the face of extreme hardship.
LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High
Empire of the Sun does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The film's narrative is centered on the historical events of World War II and a young boy's struggle for survival, making the portrayal of LGBTQ+ elements N/A.
Trans: N/A
Confidence: High
Empire of the Sun does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The film's narrative is centered on a young boy's struggle for survival during World War II, and thus, there is no depiction or portrayal of transsexual identity within its storyline.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
The film is a direct adaptation of J.G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel. All major characters, including protagonist Jim Graham, retain their established genders from the source material.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
The film adapts J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel. All major characters, including the protagonist Jim Graham, are portrayed by actors whose race aligns with their established depiction in the source material and historical context.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.7
7.5
Critic Ratings
7.5
6.2
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