The Last Emperor Movie Review 1987

Deeply ironic epic detailing life of Pu Yi, crowned at the age of three as the last emperor of China before the onset of communism. Follows Pu Yi from childhood to manhood (sequestered away in the Forbidden City) to fugitive to puppet-ruler to party proletariat. O'Toole portrays the sympathetic Scot tutor who educates the adult Pu Yi (Lone) in the ways of the western world after Pu Yi abdicates power in 1912. Shot on location inside the People's Republic of China with a cast of thousands; authentic costumes. Rich, visually stunning movie. The Talking Heads' David Byrne contributed to the score.

Distribution

Baker & Taylor Inc., 2709 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: (704)357-3500, Toll-free: 800-775-1800, Email: btinfo@btol.com, URL: http://www.btol.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 140 minutes.
Originally from Italian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Biopics: Politics, Royalty, Period Piece: 20th Century, China, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Mark Peploe, Bernardo Bertolucci

Cast

John Lone, Peter O'Toole, Joan Chen, Victor Wong, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dennis Dun, Maggie Han, Ying Ruocheng, Ric Young

Cinematography

Vittorio Storaro

Director

Bernardo Bertolucci

Music

Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne

Producer

Jeremy Thomas

Awards

Oscars 1987: Adapt. Screenplay, Art Dir./Set Dec., Cinematog., Costume Des., Director (Bertolucci), Film Editing, Picture, Sound, Orig. Score; British Acad. 1988: Film; Cesar 1988: Foreign Film; Directors Guild 1987: Director (Bertolucci); Golden Globes 1988: Director (Bertolucci), Film--Drama, Screenplay, Score; L.A. Film Critics 1987: Cinematog.; N.Y. Film Critics 1987: Cinematog.