Search - The Last Emperor [Director's Cut] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Drug Content Movie Release: 1987 DVD Release: 02/23/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 3 hrs 38 mins Studio: Live/Artisan Members Wishing: 35 Genres: Epic, Historical Film, Biopic [feature], Historical Epic See Also: The Last Emperor [Criterion Collection], Last Emperor [Blu-ray] [Criterion Collection], Last Emperor [Widescreen] [Criterion Collection]

The Last Emperor is the true story of Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi, the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Told in flashback, the film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We first see the three-year-old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless, dying dowager Empress Tzu-Hsui (Lisa Lu). Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys, the infant emperor is cossetted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912, the young emperor (Tijer Tsou) forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic, is a prisoner in his own palace, "protected" from the outside world. Fascinated by the worldliness of his Scottish tutor (Peter O'Toole), Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung (Joan Chen), who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition. Played as an adult by John Lone, Pu Yi puts into effect several social reforms, and also clears the palace of the corrupt eunuchs who've been shielding him from life. In 1924, an invading warlord expels the denizens of the Forbidden City, allowing Pu Yi to "westernize" himself by embracing popular music and the latest dances as a guest of the Japanese Concession in Tientsin. Six years later, his power all but gone, Pu Yi escapes to Manchuria, where he unwittingly becomes a political pawn for the now-militant Japanese government. Humiliating his faithful wife, Pu Yi falls into bad romantic company, carrying on affairs with a variety of parasitic females. During World War II, the Japanese force Pu Yi to sign a series of documents which endorse their despotic military activities. At war's end, the emperor is taken prisoner by the Russians; while incarcerated, he is forced to fend for himself without servants at his beck and call for the first time. He is finally released in 1959 and displayed publicly as proof of the efficacy of Communist re-education. We last see him in 1967, the year of his death; now employed by the State as a gardener, Pu Yi makes one last visit to the Forbidden City...as a tourist. Bernardo Bertolucci's first film after a six-year self-imposed exile, The Last Emperor was released in two separate versions: the 160-minute theatrical release, and a 4-hour TV miniseries. Lensed on location, the film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Lone - Pu Yi as an Adult
Joan Chen - Wan Jung, "Elizabeth"
Peter O'Toole - Reginald Johnston, "R.J."
Ying Ruocheng - The Governor
Victor Wong - Chen Pao Shen
Dennis Dun - Big Li
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Masahiko Amakasu

Bernardo Bertolucci's visually stunning The Last Emperor: The Director's Cut comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. There are no subtitles accessible on this disc. Supplemental materials include cast and crew information, production notes, and a trailer. This disc will appeal to anyone who appreciates sweeping epics or breathtaking cinematography. Although some historical information about the time period would have been nice, this disc will certainly please the film's admirers. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide