Empire of the Sun (1987): trivia & fun facts

Fun facts

• However, the film was not initially a commercial success, earning only $22 million at the US box office, although it eventually more than recouped its budget through revenues in foreign markets, home video, and television.
• J.G. Ballard felt Bale had a physical resemblance to himself at the same age.
• Principal photography began on 1 March 1987, and lasted for 16 weeks.
• Tom Stoppard wrote the first draft of the screenplay, on which Ballard briefly collaborated.
• The film earned $22.24 million in North America, and $44.46 million in other countries, accumulating a worldwide total of $66.7 million, earning more than its budget but still considered a box office disappointment by Spielberg.
• Warner Bros. Pictures purchased the film rights, intending Harold Becker to direct and Robert Shapiro to produce.
• J. G. Ballard gave positive feedback, and was especially impressed with Christian Bale's performance.
• On the other hand, this film wants to hedge its bet and make it like an adventure film, so you've got like Indiana Jones with the John Malkovich character helping the little kid through all the fun of war.
• Spielberg was honored for this work by the Directors Guild of America, while the American Society of Cinematographers honored Allen Daviau.
• Harold Becker and David Lean were originally to direct before Spielberg came on board, initially as a producer for Lean.
• The film received positive reviews, with praise towards Bale's performance, the cinematography, the visuals, John Williams's score and Spielberg's direction.

Source: Wikipedia

Play 10 questions. Test yourself on Empire of the Sun and see how everyone else answered.