The Last Emperor is a 1987 epic biographical drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. It depicts the life of Puyi, the final Emperor of China, from his ascent to the throne as a small boy to his imprisonment and political rehabilitation by the Chinese Communist Party. The film stars John Lone in the eponymous role, with Peter O'Toole, Joan Chen, and other notable actors. It won nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the 60th Academy Awards, and received widespread positive reviews from critics. The Last Emperor is known for its stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, making it a significant work in the history of cinema.
Plot
The Last Emperor is a 1987 film that depicts the life of Puyi, the final Emperor of China, from his ascent to the throne as a small boy to his imprisonment and political rehabilitation by the Chinese Communist Party. The movie begins in 1950 with the arrival of Puyi at a prison in China, where he attempts suicide but is revived by the prison governor. The story then unfolds as a series of flashbacks intercut with scenes of Puyi's reeducation. It portrays Puyi's lavish youth in the Forbidden City, his abdication, his decline, and his life as a peasant worker in the People's Republic.
Trailer
Full Cast
- John Lone as Pu Yi (Adult)
- Joan Chen as Wan Jung
- Peter O'Toole as The Governor (Ying Ruocheng)
- Ruocheng Ying as The Governor (as Ying Ruocheng)
- Victor Wong as Amakasu (as Ryûichi Sakamoto)
- Dennis Dun as Chang (as Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa)
- Vivian Wu as Tsou Tijger (as Tijger Tsou)
- Tao Wu as Pu Yi (8 years) (as Wu Tao)
- Guang Fan as Pu Chieh (Adult) (as Fan Guang)
- Ryuichi Sakamoto as Amakasu (as Ryûichi Sakamoto)
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Writer: Mark Peploe, Bernardo Bertolucci, Henry Pu-yi
Box Office Gross: $43,993,869
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1987
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 15, 2016
Themes & Reception
The Last Emperor explores themes such as the nature of power, identity, and the clash between tradition and modernity. The film received widespread critical acclaim and won nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the 60th Academy Awards.
Challenges Faced
The production of The Last Emperor was a complicated affair. It was the first Western film production to be admitted into the Forbidden City in China, and it was made with the Chinese government's full cooperation. Thousands of Chinese extras were employed, and vast amounts of resources were imported to keep the international crew members satisfied.
Settings, Visual Styles & Techniques
The film was shot almost entirely in China, including eight weeks of photography in the Forbidden City. It is known for its stunning visual style, thanks to the work of the legendary cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. The movie's visual grandeur and historical accuracy have been widely praised.