This is the story of (Henry) Pu-Yi, the final emperor of China. Of lofty birth, crowned shortly after the turn of the 20th century at the age of 3 and abdicated at 7, Pu-Yi (Lone) is wholly unprepared to rule, let alone comprehend or control the swiftly-changing events around him. Guided by his Scottish tutor Reginald Johnston (O'Toole), the passive prince yearns to attend Oxford, or even just leave the royal grounds of the Forbidden City. When the Japanese invade, they make him a puppet ruler of his native province of Manchuria, and his wife the Empress Wan Jung (Chen) becomes an opium addict and the lover of a lesbian Japanese spy. Pu-Ti drifts and deteriorates, going to prison when the Communists take over. His life ends as a humble gardener in the Botanical Gardens in Beijing, though he seems much more content than he ever was on the throne. Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci secured the unprecedented coup of getting the Communist Chinese government's permission to film inside the Forbidden City, where some of the historic events depicted in the film actually took place. Released in the U.S. at 164 minutes, this 1987 film's uncut length is 224 minutes, which may seem overlong and slow to the average American viewer, but it's a gorgeous and fascinating story. The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Screenplay.
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The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus
The Last Emperor is the true retelling of the futility of Henry Pu-Yi, the Last Emperor of China's life. His advisor and counselor hire Reginald Johnston (Peter O'Toole) to become his English Tutor. When Mr. Johnston comes, the chinese communist revolution is in full swing.
The review of this Movie prepared by Riley
