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This is a typical, awesome, Timeless Classic. I say "Timeless" because I remember watching this movie in 1987 in a theater, 33 years ago, and just recently watched it again last night. The movie appears to be recent as if it was filmed this year, 2020. You wouldn't know it was released more than 33 years ago, almost 3 & a half decades old. ( Which it won "Best Picture" & 9 other Academy Awards that year, 1987). If anyone is into History, especially World History or Asian History, this is a great movie to watch. Superbly made, high quality film w/great cast & cinematography. It would have made an excellent 4-5 episodes miniseries & more detailed. Anyhow the movie was still perfect in highlighting & editing the film, getting the main stoty across. If anyone hasn't seen or heard of this movie, it's worth watching it. Opening our understanding few minute things on what happened during China's transition to a Communist country. How & what happened to the Last Chinese Emperor/ King. I am so pleased to be able to add this Movie (DVD) to my collections of movies. There aren't too many Epic Historic based movies made recently. Especially w/ great quality film making such as the way this was made. A must see for any film/ Movie buff. This definitely is on the Top 10 or 15 films of the last century. It's Not only a Classic; but "Timeless". Many great film had been updated & remaking the movies. This specific movie has no reason to be remade & updated to attract new & younger audiences. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
PLOT: fact based plot of the LAST emperor of China that had his dynasty changed by fate and World War 2~ I watched this on TCM and had to buy the video~ best of watched twice~ once for the plot and the second time to enjoy this outstanding movie. told in may flashbacks~ a young emperor is crowned at age 3 ~ in China~ raised in the FORBIDDEN CITY. We see the a young PU YI have his every choice made for him by the old Dowager Emperesses OR a very manipulative handler. the fun begins when a very english tutor arrives (OUTSTANDING PETER OTOOLE ) AS RJ Johnston his very proper new teacher. this gives PU YI his first LOOK through conversations with Johnston and magazines what life is happening around him (OUTSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY) When the communists take over the country the Emperor is ONLY allowed to live INSIDE the Forbidden City which soon becomes his VELVET prison~ a young marriage makes him decided he wants to modernize China including himself. When Japan attacks China in the 1930s we see soon PU YI becomes a willing collaborator with the Japanese to regain his throne and title. but finds he is now manipulated by the Japanese.Captured and imprisoned after World War 2 is over to be reindoctrinated and to confess his *crimes* he spends over 10 years in prison and is released into a very changed China. He died in 1967. He was 55 years old. This is an outstanding movie~ 9 academy awards including BEST PICTURE, director, score, and costume, over 2 1/2 hours long. it is at times very depressing but it is well worth the watch to see the story. BASED on the bios of PU YI his brothers and the book by RJ Johnston (the tutors bio~) called Twilight in the Forbidden City. I GIVE IT 5 STARS AND RECOMMEND YOU WATCH IT TWICE.James Lone is PU YI and is excellent but the scene stealer here is Joan Chin as his Empress Wife who soon becomes an opium addict. the first hour is PU YI growing up in the Forbidden City. Peter OToole gives one of his best modern performances as the Tutor who soon takes on some Chinese habits of his own. GREAT movie.A MUST SEE. a few fun facts~ the Forbidden City is over 250 acres, and the Walls around it at places are 50 feet thick, over 20,000 extras were used, This was the FIRST feature film shot in the Forbidden City with the full cooperation of the Chinese Film Board and Chinese Government.Read full review
The Last Emperor is a great movie. Saw it when it came out. I didn't realize it but the movie is a rarity and is very difficult to find. There are a lot of bootleg copies and foreign made copies with Chinese subtitles. Also there are Australian copies that won't play on American DVD players. I paid more for the movie than what it is probably worth but I needed it to complete my Oscar collection. Another Oscar rarity hard to find is Tom Jones. Any of these two movies would be worth having in a collection. They will only go up in price as the years go on. Once they are gone...that is it. The Last Emperor is one of the last Hollywood epics. Sometimes the story moves slowly but the history behind it is very interesting. It makes you see why China gravitated to communism. The early Asian emperors were greedy and thought nothing of the subjects beneath them. However, I think the early emperors were told things that weren't true and therefore behaved as they did. This movie is sweeping in scope and costuming is very authentic. For any Oscar movie collector, it is a must to have but very rare and extremely hard to find. If you keep looking, you can find excellent used copies and even some used mint condition copies. If you are willing to pay the price, there are still some new copies floating around. I found a used mint condition copy which is just like brand new but still paid a large amount for it. Glad I have it and wouldn't sell it for anything. Once again if it hadn't been for Ebay, I would have never found it and as good as condition it was in.Read full review
Arguably one of the best films of its kind, The Last Emperor is a long but captivating look at Pin-Yin, the last emperor of China before the government changed over to Chiang Kai-Shek's rule. The story is artfully told in brilliant color, and its large-scale moments filmed inside the Forbidden City are truly breathtaking. Everything about this movie is huge--from the chunk of time it tackles, to the issues it addresses, to the complicated lives it reveals. It's a fascinating look at the emperor's life, including the love triangle that contains both his wife and mistress, and the Western education his tutor provides. It's a visually stunning film that also tells a great story.
I saw this when it first came out and wanted to see it again. An excellent film, well worth watching. This copy was a gift
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned