Review of The Last Emperor (1987) by Dustin G — 08 May 2011

Extremely fascinating, deep, well told and realized film about China's last emperor, from taking the title as a toddler, to his final days as a gardener and regular citizen.

This was initially infamous for being the first movie allowed to be filmed inside the real Forbidden City.

Right from the get-go this film is chock full of awe-inspiring costumes, sets, colours, traditions and shots filled with thousands of extras all moving in unison. Believe me when I say there is ALWAYS something to look at. It really is a beautiful and fascinating look at a lifestyle that is so far removed from anything in North America, it might as well be a story from another planet.

But as realistic and true to its subject matter as this film is, it's not a docu-drama. There is a real story here and Bertolucci tells it well. Which is good as the film in its full version runs over three and a half hours in length. The theatrical version is about forty five minutes shorter. I don't doubt that the shorter version was the work of the studio that released the film, probably worried no one would go to a movie pushing four hours that isn't Gone With the Wind. I've seen both versions and they're both masterpieces. The story isn't compromised in the shorter version, but if you want the full meal deal, and Bertolucci's vision as he originally intended it, go for the longer (or 'television') version. Amazingly, the longer one still doesn't drag at any point despite its length.

The Last Emperor is more than just a well made Oscar winner. It's a document of an important time in the history of China, and Asia, and a fully realized biopic of its last sitting emperor.