The Last Emperor

"1500 slaves. 353,260,000 royal subjects. Warlords. Concubines. And 2 wives. He was the loneliest boy in the world."

Apr 15 1988 PG-13 2h 43m
Biography, Drama, History

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

Plot

This sweeping account of the life of Pu-Yi, the last emperor of China, follows the leader's tumultuous reign. After being captured by the Red Army as a war criminal in 1950, Pu-Yi recalls his childhood from prison. He remembers his lavish youth in the Forbidden City, where he was afforded every luxury but unfortunately sheltered from the outside world and complex political situation surrounding him. As revolution sweeps through China, the world Pu-Yi knew is dramatically upended.

Written by

Enzo Ungari, Mark Peploe, Bernardo Bertolucci

Directed by

Bernardo Bertolucci

Production Countries

France, United Kingdom, Italy, China

Production Companies

Hemdale Film Corporation, Yanco, TAO Film, Soprofilms, Recorded Pictures Company

Languages

English

Awards

Won 9 Oscars. 58 wins & 20 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
115,145
Average Rating
7.7 out of 10
Metascore
76
Popularity
NA