Rent The Last Emperor (1987)

A true epic. - The Last Emperor review by CP Customer

'The Last Emperor' is a truly unique film based on a truly unique story. The film recounts the real life story of 'Pu Yi', who at the tender age of three ascended to the throne to become emperor of China. It's an epic story of a man who spent the majority of his life as a puppet of others, who during his lifetime was transformed from the supreme emperor of imperial China, to an anonymous peasant gardener in the communist people's republic of China. The quality of acting is superb, with John Lone's portrayal of 'Pu Yi' being one of the best aspects of the film. Peter O'Toole is equally good and his quiet understated style of acting supports the story beautifully. The direction is stunning with beautifully lavish scenes held within the Forbidden City, and director Bertolucci cleverly manages strike the right balance between being both a big budget epic and an intimate character based drama. If you're not sure as to what disk to rent, the 'theatrical version' or the 'directors cut', the directors cut has around 50 minutes of additional footage which, apart from a couple of scenes, doesn't really add an awful lot to the overall story and at over 3 and a half hours in length is pretty hard work to watch in one sitting. In my opinion the 'theatrical version' is the better film; it's finer paced, easier to follow, and running at 2 hours and 40 minutes, it holds your attention throughout. Overall, 'The Last Emperor' is an outstanding piece of storytelling and both a moving and memorable experience.

Don't miss this - The Last Emperor review by Swambi

An amazing & unique film, with a story that shouldn't be forgotten. Great filming, great acting, excellent Chinese music, sights and sounds, which seem very authenitic. If you are interested in history, people, other cultures and countries, don't miss this.

China Crisis - The Last Emperor review by Steve

This is a spectacular historical epic, but the costumes and art direction never overwhelm the narrative drawn from an astonishing true story. This is an account of Pu Yi who was appointed into the nominal role of Chinese emperor aged three, and was sealed within the feudal magnificence of the Forbidden City in Beijing while the world changed beyond the walls.

During his later incarceration by the Communists, there's a flashback from a modern country back to the crackpot traditions of his childhood, which is so disorientating it might induce whiplash! The history is captured by Bernardo Bertolucci with conspicuous craft, intelligence and splendour. Vittorio Storaro's Oscar winning photography is... simply awesome.

The main strengths are implied by its Oscars; it won big for the visual and technical aspects, but none of the actors were even nominated. Still, all four who play Pu Yi through his life are well cast, even if not star names. And Peter O'Toole as the incorruptible Scottish tutor is missed when he exits on halfway. He appears in the best scenes, inside the palace.

There are also well deserved Academy Awards for the big ones; Best Picture and Direction. Plus the score by Ryûichi Sakamoto et al, which made the album charts. Maybe the episodic events after Pu Yi leaves the Forbidden City lose some coherence...but the (Oscar winning!) screenplay tells the story pretty well. And any interest in the history is amply rewarded.