Despite its grand scale the film's plot is essentially a simple one. It follows the life of Pu Yi, emperor of China at the age of three, obliged to effectively abdicate four years later and from childhood to dotage forced to act as a stooge and figurehead, a revered leader and confused icon.

The Last Emperor was filmed entirely on location in China, and claims the distinction of being the first feature length movie to contain scenes shot inside the Forbidden City, a 15th Century complex containing 9,999 rooms and covering 250 acres. Sometimes the remarkable settings threaten to steal the show, but John Lone convinces as Pu Yi, Peter O’Toole is engaging as his mentor and Joan Chen shines as his wife, particularly effective in scenes where she dangerously flirts with a Japanese lesbian.

DID YOU KNOW?
	The Chinese press dubbed Joan Chen "the Elizabeth Taylor of China" and she later appeared in the cult David Lynch series, Twin Peaks and Hollywood blockbusters such as Judge Dredd.   In addition to nine Oscars, the film won three BAFTAs including Best Film.

The tale teams with politicians and pawns but is concerned ultimately with the history of China, and on a personal level, the importance of real freedom as opposed to apparent wealth. Pu Yi spends swathes of his life involved in shady power-broking plots, but when tending plots of land as a gardener in his old age, he finds something akin to true happiness.

Veteran director Bernardo Bertolucci again proved that age cannot wither his command of the cinematic art-form, delivering a moving epic which can mesmerise with its grandeur whilst connecting with its audience on an everyman level, dealing with love, doubts, disappointments and dreams.

Gavin Collinson

Cast

Pu Yi (as an adult)   John Lone
Wan Jung    Joan Chen
Reginald Johnston   Peter O'Toole
Guillaume   Jean Marais
Chen Peo Shen   Victor Wong

BBC Links

bbc.co.uk/films

bbc.co.uk/collective