Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun Movie Poster Country United States Directed by Steven Spielberg Release Date December 25, 1987 Language English Japanese Cantonese Chinese Distributor Warner Bros. Main Cast Character Actor Jamie "Jim" Graham Christian Bale Basie John Malkovich Mrs. Victor Miranda Richardson Dr. Rawlins Nigel Havers Frank Demarest Joe Pantoliano Dainty Ben Stiller

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 World War II film directed by Steven Spielberg and based upon the 1984 novel of the same name by JG Ballard. The film follows Jamie Graham, an eleven year-old China-born British schoolboy who struggles to survive, alone, on the streets of Japanese-occupied Shanghai during the Second World War. Alongside John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, and Nigel Havers, the film is notable for being the first on-screen role for Christian Bale, who plays Jamie; also of note, Ben Stiller had a small role in the film, and during his work on the project, conceived the film Tropic Thunder.

The following weapons were used in the film Empire of the Sun:

Pistols

Mauser C96

The Mauser C96 pistol is seen used by the Shanghai resistance fighters on the rooftop.

Mauser C96 Pistol - 7.63x25mm Mauser

On the left, a resistance fighter fires his Mauser C96 at Japanese troops.

A resistance fighter dies, his hand still holding a Mauser C96.

M1911A1

An M1911A1 is seen in the holster of an US Army colonel that confronts Jamie. A resistance fighter also appears to use one to fire at Japanese troops.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP

A resistance fighter fires his M1911A1 at Japanese troops.

An M1911A1 is seen in the holster of an US Army colonel that confronts Jamie.

Revolvers

Webley Mk IV

A Webley Mk IV is also seen in the film.

Webley Mk IV WW2 British Army version chambered for .38 S&W

A Webley Mk IV is seen.

Colt New Service

A Colt New Service revolver is seen pulled when a Japanese pilot is seen with Jamie (Christian Bale).

Model 1909 Colt Army Revolver - .45 LC. This model is stamped "Property of U.S. Government" under barrel and "M1909" on front bottom of grip strap. Grips not original - US issue bore plain uncheckered walnut.

A Colt New Service is seen.

Rifles

Arisaka Type 38

The Arisaka Type 38 was one of the main battle rifles used by the Japanese Army in the Pacific theater and is seen used throughout the film.

Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka

A production still of Jamie (Christian Bale) as he runs through a column of Japanese soldiers carrying the Arisaka rifles.

Japanese soldiers with their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.

Japanese soldiers hold their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.

Japanese soldier holds his Arisaka Type 38 rifle.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III

A resistance fighter uses a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III on the rooftop.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British

The resistance fighter (right) is seen firing the SMLE.

The resistance fighter's SMLE can be seen dropped on the rooftop if you look closely at the lower right. Note the distinctive nosepiece, identifying this as a No.1 Mk.3 rifle.

Lee-Enfield Mk. I

A possible Lee-Enfield Mk. I can be seen fired by a resistance fighter.

Lee-Enfield Mk. I - .303 British

The resistance fighter on the right fires the rifle.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is seen carried by US soldiers.

M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

M1 Garand is carried by US soldiers.

Machine Guns

Vickers MK1

A replica of a Rolls-Royce 40/50 h.p. Armoured Car is armed with a Vickers machine gun.

Vickers MK1 with ribbed water jacket - .303 British

The barrel of the Vickers can be seen.

Type 11

A Type 11 light machine gun can be seen in the Japanese camp.

Type 11 Light Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

The light machine gun on the left.

Bren Mk1

Bren guns are used by Japanese soldiers. They could be captured weapons or they stand for Type 96 or Type 99 Light Machine Guns.

Bren Mk1 - .303 British.

A Bren on the table in the Japanese camp.

A motorcycle armed with a Bren.

Another mg mounted on a truck.

Hotchkiss Mk.I

A Typ 97 Chi-Ha mock up tank is armed with a Hotchkiss Mk.I machine gun.

Hotchkiss Mk.I - .303 British

The light machine gun mounted in the tank.

Colt Monitor

A Colt Monitor / Browning Automatic Rifle is also carried by a US soldier.

Colt Monitor - .30-06

A Colt Monitor on the left.

Browning M3

Browning M3 machine guns are the primary guns mounted in the wings of the P-51 Mustangs in the film.

Browning M3 Aircraft - .50 BMG

Browning M3 machine guns are the primary guns mounted in the wings of the P-51 Mustangs in the film.

Unknown Machine Gun

A Japanese Type 92 Armoured Car is armed with an unknown machine gun which could be a Type 91 or Type 92.

Trivia Section

• The Japanese Zero fighters are in fact American-built Harvard trainers modified to look like the Zero.
• Eric Flynn, who plays a British POW, was actually a POW as a child in a Japanese camp.
• The can Jim 'Jamie' Graham (Christian Bale) drinks is Jerzee Evaporated Milk.
• Col. Marshall (Tom Danaher) was a Marine night fighter pilot in the Pacific in WWII and was credited with shooting down the last Japanese bomber of the war. He also flies one of the Japanese "Zeros" in the movie.