The Last Emperor

Director Bernardo Bertolucci's epic film The Last Emperor details the life of Pu Yi, the last emperor of Imperial China. The movie received nine Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.¹

Fast Facts

1. Release date: November 20, 1987
2. Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
3. Screenwriter: Mark Peploe, Bernardo Bertolucci
4. Producer: Jeremy Thomas
5. Distributor: Columbia Pictures
6. MPAA rating: PG-13
7. Run time: 225 minutes
8. Language: English, Mandarin, Japanese
9. Domestic box office gross: $43,984,230 ²
10. Filmed on location in China³

Plot Summary

At the age of three, Pu Yi ascends the throne as the supreme ruler of the Chinese kingdom. However, as he grows up, he begins to realize that he is virtually a prisoner in the palace and is merely a figurehead, as the real power lies in the hands of those determined to overthrow him. After the revolutionary war, Pu Ti is sent to a communist reeducation camp and finally finds peace as a gardener in his final days.

Cast

• John Lone: Emperor Pu Yi / Henry
• Joan Chen: Empress Wan Jung / Elizabeth
• Peter O'Toole: Reginald F. 'R. J.' Johnston
• Ruocheng Ying: Ying Ruocheng
• Victor Wong: Chen Pao Shen
• Dennis Dun: Big Li

Academy Awards

1. Best Director
2. Best Cinematography
3. Best Picture
4. Best Adapted Screenplay
5. Best Art Direction
6. Best Costume Design
7. Best Musical Score
8. Best Sound
9. Best Editing¹

Related Pages on Mahalo

Bernardo Bertolucci | Peter O'Toole | The Last Samurai | The Great Wall of China | Beijing | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon | Communism | Columbia Pictures | China | Mandarin | Japanese

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