The Last Emperor (1987) Movie Review

Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor stands as one of cinema’s most ambitious and visually stunning biographical epics, chronicling the extraordinary life of Puyi, China’s final emperor. This sweeping historical drama not only earned critical acclaim but also made Oscar history by becoming the first film to win all nine Academy Awards for which it was nominated. More than three decades after its release, The Last Emperor remains a masterpiece that seamlessly blends intimate character study with grand historical spectacle.

Plot Overview and Historical Context

The Last Emperor tells the remarkable true story of Aisin-Gioro Puyi, who ascended to the Chinese throne at the tender age of three in 1908, only to witness the collapse of imperial China and endure decades of political upheaval. The film’s narrative structure employs a sophisticated flashback technique, beginning with Puyi’s imprisonment in a Soviet camp in 1950 and gradually unfolding his life story through interrogation sessions.

The story encompasses several crucial periods:

• Imperial childhood (1908-1912): Puyi’s isolated upbringing in the Forbidden City • Republican era (1912-1932): His puppet reign under Japanese influence
• Manchukuo period (1932-1945): His role as emperor of the Japanese puppet state • Post-war consequences (1945-1959): Imprisonment, re-education, and eventual redemption

What makes The Last Emperor particularly compelling is how it transforms this historical figure from a symbol of imperial power into a deeply human character struggling with identity, purpose, and survival in a rapidly changing world.

Direction and Cinematography: Visual Poetry in Motion

Bernardo Bertolucci’s direction in The Last Emperor represents filmmaking at its most operatic and visually arresting. The Italian master, known for his work on Last Tango in Paris and The Conformist, brings his distinctive visual sensibility to this Chinese epic, creating a film that feels both authentically Eastern and universally accessible.

Cinematographic Excellence

Vittorio Storaro’s cinematography deserves special recognition for its breathtaking scope and intimate detail. The film’s visual language employs:

• Color symbolism: Rich golds and reds dominate the imperial sequences, while muted tones reflect Puyi’s later struggles • Compositional grandeur: Wide shots that emphasize the vastness of the Forbidden City against human frailty • Lighting mastery: Natural light filtering through palace windows creates ethereal, almost mystical atmospheres • Camera movement: Fluid tracking shots that guide viewers through both physical and emotional landscapes

The contrast between the opulent Forbidden City sequences and the stark prison scenes creates a visual metaphor for Puyi’s dramatic fall from grace, making the cinematography an essential storytelling element rather than mere decoration.

Performances: A Study in Character Evolution

John Lone as Adult Puyi

John Lone delivers a nuanced performance that captures Puyi’s transformation from naive ruler to broken prisoner to rehabilitated citizen. His portrayal avoids the trap of making Puyi either completely sympathetic or entirely unsympathetic, instead presenting a complex individual shaped by extraordinary circumstances.

Lone’s performance highlights:

1. Regal bearing that gradually erodes as Puyi faces reality
2. Childlike vulnerability that persists despite his imperial status
3. Quiet dignity maintained even in the most humiliating circumstances
4. Emotional range spanning from imperial arrogance to genuine humility

Supporting Cast Excellence

The ensemble cast provides exceptional support, with Joan Chen as Empress Wanrong delivering a particularly memorable performance. Her portrayal of Puyi’s wife captures the tragedy of a woman trapped between tradition and modernity, addiction and duty.

Peter O’Toole brings gravitas to his role as Reginald Fleming Johnston, Puyi’s Scottish tutor, while Ruocheng Ying’s prison governor represents the film’s moral compass with understated authority.

Production Design and Historical Authenticity

The Last Emperor achieved unprecedented access to authentic locations, becoming the first Western production filmed inside Beijing’s Forbidden City. This access provides the film with an authenticity that no studio reconstruction could match.

Costume and Set Design

The production design team created visual authenticity through:

• Period-accurate costumes that reflect changing fashion across five decades • Authentic imperial regalia borrowed from Chinese museums • Detailed set decorations that capture the opulence of imperial China • Cultural sensitivity in depicting Chinese customs and traditions

The film’s commitment to historical accuracy extends beyond mere visual elements, incorporating research into Chinese court protocols, religious practices, and political dynamics of the early 20th century.

Themes and Cultural Significance

Power and Powerlessness

The Last Emperor explores the paradox of absolute power rendered meaningless by historical forces. Puyi’s story illustrates how even the most exalted positions can become prisons when disconnected from reality and genuine human connection.

Identity and Transformation

The film’s central theme involves personal transformation through suffering and education. Puyi’s journey from emperor to prisoner to gardener represents a universal story of ego death and rebirth, resonating across cultural boundaries.

East Meets West

Bertolucci’s Western perspective on Eastern history creates interesting cultural dialogues without falling into orientalism. The film respects Chinese culture while making it accessible to international audiences, a balance that contributed to its global success.

Technical Achievements and Awards Recognition

The Last Emperor made Oscar history by winning all nine categories for which it was nominated:

1. Best Picture
2. Best Director (Bernardo Bertolucci)
3. Best Adapted Screenplay
4. Best Cinematography (Vittorio Storaro)
5. Best Art Direction
6. Best Costume Design
7. Best Film Editing
8. Best Original Score (Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, Cong Su)
9. Best Sound

This unprecedented sweep demonstrated the film’s technical excellence across all major filmmaking disciplines.

Musical Score Excellence

The collaboration between Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su produced a score that blends traditional Chinese instruments with contemporary Western orchestration. The music serves as cultural bridge, enhancing emotional moments while respecting the film’s historical setting.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The Last Emperor opened Western audiences to Chinese history and culture during a period of increasing globalization. The film’s success demonstrated that epic historical dramas could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success when executed with artistic integrity.

The movie’s influence extends beyond entertainment, serving as an educational tool that introduces viewers to:

• Chinese imperial history and the Qing Dynasty’s decline • 20th-century Chinese political upheavals and their human costs • Cultural Revolution dynamics and re-education processes • Sino-Japanese relations during the 1930s and 1940s

Many film scholars consider it a bridge between classical Hollywood epics and modern international co-productions, paving the way for future East-West cinematic collaborations.

Box Office Performance and Commercial Success

Despite its three-hour runtime and subtitled sequences, The Last Emperor achieved remarkable commercial success. The film’s budget management and international marketing strategy prove that quality filmmaking can generate substantial returns, much like the financial principles discussed in resources such as HablemosMoney, which emphasizes smart investment strategies and long-term value creation.

The movie’s financial success helped establish the viability of high-budget international co-productions, influencing subsequent decades of global filmmaking partnerships.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Minor Weaknesses

Strengths

The Last Emperor excels in multiple areas:

• Visual grandeur that serves narrative purpose rather than empty spectacle • Historical accuracy balanced with dramatic necessity
• Character development that spans decades convincingly • Cultural sensitivity in depicting Chinese traditions and values • Technical mastery across all production elements

Minor Criticisms

Some critics note:

• Pacing issues in the middle act that may challenge modern audiences • Western perspective that occasionally simplifies complex Chinese political dynamics • Length concerns that require significant viewer commitment

However, these minor criticisms pale beside the film’s overwhelming achievements and lasting cultural impact.

Comparative Analysis with Other Historical Epics

When compared to other biographical epics like David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia or Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, The Last Emperor distinguishes itself through its unique perspective on 20th-century Asian history. The film shares DNA with classics available on platforms like the Internet Movie Database, where it maintains high ratings and extensive user discussions decades after release.

The movie’s approach to historical biography influenced subsequent films, establishing templates for international co-productions and cross-cultural storytelling that continue to shape contemporary cinema.

Modern Relevance and Timeless Appeal

The Last Emperor remains remarkably relevant to contemporary audiences grappling with questions of identity, power, and cultural change. Puyi’s struggle to find meaning beyond inherited privilege resonates in an era of social mobility and changing traditional structures.

The film’s exploration of rehabilitation and personal growth offers hope for human transformation, while its depiction of historical forces reminds viewers of the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.

Final Verdict

The Last Emperor represents filmmaking at its most ambitious and successful, combining spectacular visuals with intimate human drama to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. Bertolucci’s masterpiece succeeds as both historical chronicle and personal journey, offering viewers a window into Chinese culture while telling a universally compelling story of one man’s extraordinary life.

The film’s technical excellence, outstanding performances, and cultural significance make it essential viewing for serious film enthusiasts and anyone interested in 20th-century history. Its Academy Award sweep was well-deserved recognition for a work that continues to inspire and educate audiences worldwide.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Last Emperor stands as a testament to cinema’s power to bridge cultures, illuminate history, and create lasting artistic statements that transcend their initial release. More than thirty-five years later, it remains one of the greatest biographical epics ever filmed, deserving its place among cinema’s most treasured achievements.