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Far and Away
Film
FilmPG1987
Empire of the Sun
Directed by Steven Spielberg
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… From TMDB
223 reactions from 3 sources (Bluesky, TMDB reviews, Mastodon) · newest Nov 3, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
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Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 77 | 5 | 137 |
| TMDB reviews * | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 2 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
At a glance
Empire of the Sun is a 1987 drama history war film, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson.
- 200 people have posted about this film on Bluesky, TMDB reviews, Mastodon
- posts span Jan 16, 2020 to Nov 3, 2026
Assembled from TMDB, Wikidata and Steam fields and our own counts, nothing written by a model. Method
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
223 public posts have mentioned Empire of the Sun so far, but it needs 10 opinionated reactions from checked sources before it gets a score. Seen it? Post your take.
The Experts
71%
avg of 3 sources
The People
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audience score
Reactions
60 of 223 · most liked firstTropic Thunder couldn't be clearer in its thesis that War is not a movie. The idea of the film came to Stiller after seeing a bunch of actors on Empire of the Sun treat the experience like they went to war and how off putting that was.
neutral · AI labelView post →Stoppard also had a huge (and largely unchronicled) film legacy. Obviously, just the work for which he was credited--Shakespeare in Love, Empire of the Sun, Brazil--is major, but he was also one of the most in-demand rewriters, fixers, and polishers in movies. We still don't know everything he did.
neutral · AI labelView post →Happy #LetterboxdFriday 📽️! A pretty good week with: early Spielberg, newest Johnson, Huston's final film, and I finally saw a Fosse. What are your #LastFourWatched films? Empire of the Sun (1987) Tony (2026) The Dead (1987) All That Jazz (1979)
neutral · AI labelView post →The man made this, Empire of the Sun, a baffling Shaft reboot, American Psycho, my personal favorite boxing movie, and played Dick Cheney, wild career
neutral · AI labelView post →Here’s me talking about Spielberg’s EMPIRE OF THE SUN on the Blank Check podcast (@blankcheck.bsky.social). Needless to say we talk about all sorts of other stuff, too. blankcheck.podcastpage.io/episode/empi...
neutral · AI labelView post →Among many, many other things, Tom Stoppard wrote the screenplay for “Empire of the Sun,” my favorite movie as a child. He brought a child’s sense of wonder to the story, something that was not always there in Ballard’s memoir.
positive · AI labelView post →I’m watching Empire of the Sun. Can’t work out if I’ve seen it before. I knew it had a connection to my Granddad, Eric Flynn, because he also grew up in a Chinese POW camp, but I’d forgotten that he was actually cast in the film! It was overwhelming to see a close up of his face at the 1h 10m mark
neutral · AI labelView post →You may have seen the film 'Empire of the Sun', made in 1987 by Steven Spielberg with Christian Bale. Although not without its flaws it still has a few familiar scenes to the situation my family was in. 'Paradise Road' is a film with a similar theme you may have scene.
neutral · AI labelView post →Back in 1999, I got to spend a sunny afternoon hanging around the aisles of funky LA bookstore Book Soup with the late, great Tom Stoppard. It proved a formative experience; an Oscar-winning writer, his best film work was a 1987 adaptation of Empire of the Sun 5/5 film-authority.com/2025/12/01/e...
positive · AI labelView post →Then you add Close Encounters, Jaws, Minority Report, Empire of the Sun, and so many more 🤯 The Fabelman is one of my fav of the decade! Can't wait for his new UFO movie next year. We should get a first look very soon.
neutral · AI labelView post →Man he was great in Empire of the Sun, a movie that is absolutely massive
positive · AI labelView post →#MovieMadness Day 8 Movie with a great acting performance I've been so impressed with this actor since he was only 13 years old and starred in Empire of The Sun. A talented chameleon with so many great performances. Here's one: Vice - Christian Bale youtu.be/aSGFt6w0wok?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Tonight’s movie: Empire of the Sun (1987), a Spielberg I haven’t seen. Pretty extraordinary filmmaking. Stars a baby Christian Bale, who’s an incredible child actor, not surprisingly, and also—surprise!—Ben Stiller.
positive · AI labelView post →Empire of the Sun staring a young Christian Bale, movie by Steven Spielberg
neutral · AI labelView post →Film you've watched more than six times with a gif Hard mode: No Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli. Empire of the Sun (1987) - and yep, that’s Christian Bale
neutral · AI labelView post →In the shadow of war, she must choose a side. Read a different side to #WW2. If you liked the film Empire of the Sun, this is for you. #NewRelease #Booksky #HistoricalFiction 📚⌛ mybook.to/EnemysWife
neutral · AI labelView post →OCD compels me to spreadsheet. Crunched the greatest-films-of-all-time lists. Here are the top 1,461 presented as a daily countdown to the end of the Trump Administration. #Film #Resist #MovieSky #Movies #1,437 -- Empire of the Sun (1987) dir. Steven Spielberg
neutral · AI labelView post →Ten movies to know me: Today (In no particular order) 1. Empire Of The Sun 2. Robocop 3. Raiders Of The Lost Ark 4. Hellboy (2004) 5. The Empire Strikes Back 6. Superman The Movie 7. Kubo And The Two Strings 8. The City Of Lost Children 9. A Bridge Too Far 10. Bladerunner :The Final Cut
neutral · AI labelView post →As it is VJ Day, here's a picture of Christian Bale in the 1987 film Empire of the Sun! A fantastic child actor, who grew up to be a fantastic adult actor too!
neutral · AI labelView post →Hahha he hates that movie so much. He signed on to do a drama in the wake of Empire of the Sun. Then they were like "just kidding dude, sing and dance for us" He reached a detente with the fandom about 10 years ago.
neutral · AI labelView post →Spielberg has made so many great movies that I love including Empire of the Sun but I feel like so few people know about and overlook this great movie.
positive · AI labelView post →Going to watch Empire of the Sun, a movie where a 10 year old Christian Bale takes on the might of the Japanese Empire single handedly.
neutral · AI labelView post →Make a war film a culinary delight. Empire of the Sun dried tomatoes.
neutral · AI labelView post →Empire of the Sun (1987) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Christian Bale, Ben Stiller Watch Review wp / wd
neutral · AI labelView post →Mornin! Keeping the house closed and running fans has us cool. Had popcorn for dinner last night. Ha! Watched “Empire Of The Sun” since mom hadn’t seen it. Such a great movie! Feral cats invading our yard digging up dirt in pots. I’m keeping rocks on the table to zing them. Bastardos. Stay cool!🥰
positive · AI labelView post →Movie night (Empire of the Sun) with Kimchi and Pork Gyozas. I made these earlier today but some of the pre-made wrappers are pretty decent, if a little trickier to fold. It’s all in the thumbs, and there are a gazillion helpful tutorials online. More on m’Insta.
neutral · AI labelView post →As it is VJ Day, here's a picture of Christian Bale in the 1987 film Empire of the Sun! A fantastic child actor, who grew up to be a fantastic adult actor too!
neutral · AI labelView post →Books I've read this last year. Author: JG Ballard Book: Empire Of The Sun #booksky #jgballard #fiction #empireofthesun 10/10 really enjoyed this book as I am fan of the movie too. Didn't disappoint.
positive · AI labelView post →Combine 2 Film Titles 2 make a New Film. EMPIRE OF THE SUN STRIKES BACK
neutral · AI labelView post →“His editor Malcom Edwards recalled how Ballard, on receiving the first payment for the film rights for Empire of the Sun, decided to splash out by visiting his local supermarket. After wandering the aisles for some time, he returned home with a tin of salmon.” www.theguardian.com/books/2026/a...
neutral · AI labelView post →I wonder if Bale had to change his natural accent much for this role... seems like. Miles is from near Birmingham, UK. I'd forgotten that his debut was in Empire of the Sun at age 13. Love that film. #hatm
positive · AI labelView post →My favorite film performances from the 1980s. Christian Bale, Jim Graham, "Empire of the Sun" (directed by Steven Spielberg). #movies #films #favoriteperformances #christianbale #stevenspielberg #empireofthesun
positive · AI labelView post →Watching Empire of the Sun (great book, terrible film) & can't help thinking that 99.9% of spielberg's films would be better without any children in them.
negative · AI labelView post →Thing that actually happened tonight: Stacey said “I want to watch *Empire of the Sun*.” I said “You mean the Spielberg movie?” She said “Yeah.” I said “I have that movie on laserdisc!” So we’re watching the laserdisc.
neutral · AI labelView post →No 1941, no Color Purple, no Last Crusade, no Minority Report, no Empire of the Sun. But, yes, War of the Worlds. A film literally no one remembers even existing.
neutral · AI labelView post →Quote repost chain thingy Name 4 of your favorite 80s movies (non horror). Mine are: Scrooged (1988) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) The Cannonball Run (1981) Empire of the Sun (1987)
neutral · AI labelView post →Insert a movie into another movie: The Empire of the Sun Strikes Back
neutral · AI labelView post →Happy #LetterboxdFriday! Time to post your #LastFourWatched 🍿🎉 Minority Report Empire of the Sun Fortress X-Men First Class
neutral · AI labelView post →📽️ #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched 📽️ #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched Dull week THE PERFECT STORM - the deadliest deadliest catch. EMPIRE OF THE SUN - my favorite Spielberg film. POLAR - absolute shit movie. Ugly, septic tank level Tarantino knockoff. THE INSTIGATORS - I preferred Gerry
positive · AI labelView post →This is a strong list. 1-7 would be on mine too, along with E.T., War of the Worlds, and Empire of the Sun (a movie I think is vastly underrated and would probably be second or third for me).
positive · AI labelView post →“EMPIRE OF THE SUN” (1987). Spielberg’s most underrated film, and the fact that Christian Bale (then 13 years old) didn’t even get an Oscar nomination for his performance is one of the greatest crimes in cinematic history. I will die on that hill. Fight me.
positive · AI labelView post →Today is VJ Day, the allied victory over Japan in World War 2. Here is a very young Christian Bale from Pembrokeshire, Wales singing the Welsh song ‘Suo Gân’ in the 1987 film ‘The Empire of the Sun’. youtu.be/8O6S-Fh54zk?...
neutral · AI labelView post →📚⌛ #99p #KindleDeal Read a different WWII story. The Enemy's Wife is set in the 'Pearl of the Orient' -wartime Shanghai. If you enjoyed the film Empire of the Sun, this one's for you. mybook.to/EnemysWife
neutral · AI labelView post →I’ve occasionally seen people state proudly that they’ve never watched a single Spielberg film. Yeah, he’s made many stinkers but to deprive yourself of Duel, Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders, Empire Of The Sun, Schindler’s List, The Color Purple, A.I., Munich, Catch Me If You Can, West Side Story..🤷🏻♂️
neutral · AI labelView post →#MarchMovieChallenge Day 29 Someone reunited in a movie Empire Of The Sun (1987) youtu.be/fwIj52gBBj8?...
neutral · AI labelView post →COMING OF AGE [II.] Death’s radiance rises in darkness: Watching Mrs Victor’s soul ascend – into bright white light. (after J.G. Ballard’s ‘Empire of the Sun’) One of two #gembun #artinspired #shortverse #blueskypoets
neutral · AI labelView post →I always thought this dude from the end of Empire of the Sun (great movie, watch it, I love movies with giant standing sets and ACTUAL planes shot dangerously up close) had the perfect face for Hellboy or a Hellboy type
positive · AI labelView post →If 90% of other directors made Empire of the Sun, it would be their best film.
positive · AI labelView post →I love Empire of the Sun. Very well crafted, and some great performances. Christian Bale's best movie.
positive · AI labelView post →Spell your name with movie titles 📽 Difficult mode: Movies my birth year (1987) J: Jaws: The Revenge A: Angel Heart M: Moonstruck I: Innerspace E: Empire of the Sun G: Good Morning, Vietnam O: Overboard O: Over the Top D: Dirty Dancing A: Adventures in Babysitting L: Lost Boys L: Lethal Weapon
neutral · AI labelView post →Cinema Trip 69 in 2026 Empire Of The Sun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 8/10 IMDb A first time viewing for me. And while I can see people don’t see this as one of Spielberg’s strongest, there was still a lot to admire within the film for me, it’s chaotic but it’s from a lost child’s point of view and Bale is superb 1/2
positive · AI labelView post →In the shadow of war, she must choose a side. Read a different side to #WW2. If you liked the film Empire of the Sun, this is for you. Pic - Nanking Road before the Japanese invasion. #NewRelease #Booksky #HistoricalFiction 📚⌛http://mybook.to/EnemysWife
neutral · AI labelView post →Empire of the Sun. No question. Absolute tear jerker though. (Also, once again a film with a great score...) #HATM
positive · AI labelView post →I’ll watch the ‘87 movie Empire of the Sun anytime it is on. I assume Bale had to have suffered in the filming of it as a child actor but he is so powerful in it. The horrors of war and the suffering of children caught in the middle is a thing we can hope to end one day.
positive · AI labelView post →I think you get this more with Spielberg than almost any other filmmaker. A film like War Horse, which I don’t at all care for, has moments that absolutely fly. And I think the best scene he’s ever directed isn’t even in one of his great films (“Cadillac of the skies!” from Empire of the Sun).
positive · AI labelView post →Not including the rad as hell Film & Lit teacher who introduced me to THE MALTESE FALCON, PSYCHO, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, and THE SHINING: AN AMERICAN TAIL HOOSIERS ROMEO AND JUMPER (Zefirelli) LEGENDS OF THE FALL HENRY V
neutral · AI labelView post →Is Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun an all time great child performance? This month’s guests: James, Maddie, and Nick from I Was a Teenage Film Snob Check out the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, including in video on YouTube #movies #filmsky
neutral · AI labelView post →Empire of the Sun - my all time favorite Christian Bale movie!!!!!!
positive · AI labelView post →On Monday at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT on The Imperial 80s we'll talk to Charles Xu about the 1987 Steven Spielberg film 'Empire of the Sun' www.youtube.com/live/9ZzU3rb...
neutral · AI labelView post →I had no idea that the American plane that appears at the end of "Empire of the Sun" was a Mustang. That movie is one of the very few I've seen in theaters.
positive · AI labelView post →
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