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The Last Emperor (Original title)Pu-Yi (Alternative title)L' ultimo imperatore (Alternative title)
Dates: 1987 (Copyright), 26 February 1988 (Release)

Countries: People's Republic of China, Italy, United Kingdom, France

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

Synopsis: The story of Pu Yi, the last Chinese Emperor, from his childhood when he ascended the throne at the age of three until his death in 1967.

Genres:
Biopic, Historical drama

Subject:
China
Releases
Date: 1987Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 163 mins Length: 14648 FeetSubtitles: English

Credits (114)
©: Helmsdale Film Corporation, Production Company: Yanco Films, Production Company: TAO Film, Production Company: Recorded Picture Company, Production Company: Screenframe, Production Company: AAA, Production Company: Soprofilms, Producer: Jeremy Thomas, Associate Producer: Francesco Giovale, Associate Producer (GB): Joyce Herlihy, Production Manager: Attilio Viti, Production Manager: Lamberto Palmieri, Production Manager: Pietro Sassaroli, Production Manager: Alberto Passone, Production Manager: Stefano Bolzoni, Associate Production Manager: Yang Kebing, Associate Production Manager: Zhang Yuming, Wang Liansheng, Production Supervisor: Mario Cotone, Production Co-ordinator: Manuela Pineskj Berger, Post-production Supervisor: Michael Saxton, Production Consultant: Shirley Sun, Production Assistant: Verena Baldeo, Production Assistant: Massimo Jacobis, Historical Researcher: Cloe Peploe, Documentary Film Research: Mary Lance, Assistant Director: Gabriele Polverosi, Assistant Director: Serena Canevari, Assistant Director: Nicoletta Peyran, Assistant Director: Franco Angeli, Assistant Director: Giulio Levi, Assistant Director: Ning Ying, Assistant Director: Basil Pao, Assistant Director: Fabien Gerard, Assistant Director (China): Li Hongsheng, Assistant Director (China): Lou Hangmin, Wang Biao, Casting Supervisor: Joanna Merlin, Hong Kong Casting: Patricia Pao, China Casting: Ulrike Koch, ADR Casting: Brendan Donnison, Screenplay: Mark Peploe, Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Script Collaborator: Enzo Ungari, Director of Photography: Vittorio Storaro, Colour Supervisor: Carlo La Bella, A Camera Operator: Enrico Umetelli, B Camera Operator: Mauro Marchetti, Steadicam Operator: Nicola Pecorini, Video: Marco Carosi, Special Effects: Gino De Rossi, Special Effects: Fabrizio Martinelli, Special Effects (China): Yang Jingguo, Editor: Gabriella Cristiani, [Editor, 70mm German Version]: Anthony Sloman, Production Designer: Ferdinando Scarfiotti, Art Director: Gianni Giovagnoni, Art Director: Gianni Silvestri, Art Director: Maria Teresa Barbasso, Art Director (China): Wang Jixian, [Pre-production Design Work]: Ken Adam, Special Set Paintings: Sante Barelli, Set Decorator (China): Wang Chunpu, Set Dresser: Bruno Cesari, Set Dresser: Osvaldo Desideri, Set Dresser: Dario Micheli, Draughtswoman: Cynthia Sleiter, Sculptor: Calliono Donati, Costume Designer: James Acheson, Military Costume Designer: Ugo Pericoli, Costumes (China): Gong Zhangjing, Sun Huanxiang, Wardrobe Co-ordinator: Franco Antonelli, Makeup Artist: Fabrizio Sforza, Makeup (China): Feng Guixiang, Zhang Wanziang, Main Title Design: Maurice Binder, Title Opticals: General Screen Enterprises, Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Music: David Byrne, Music: Cong Su, Music Director: Gavyn Wright, Additional Arrangements (Tokyo): Koji Ueno, Additional Arrangements (Tokyo): Yuji Nomi, Lau Hong Quan, Music Supervisor: Ray Williams, Music Associate (London): Hans Zimmer, Music Associate (Tokyo): Aki Ikuta, Music Producer: Hans Zimmer, Aki Ikuta, Music Recording (Audio FX): Mike Jarratt, Music Recording (Audio FX): Haydn Bendall, Ian Sylvester, Music Recording for David Byrne: Clive Martin, Music Recording (Tokyo): Shigeru Takise, Michio Nakagoshi, Sound Recording: Ivan Sharrock, Sound Recording: Bill Rowe, Sound Re-recording: Elstree Studios, Supervising Sound Editor: Les Wiggins, Sound Editor: Les Wiggins, Dialogue Editor: Mike Hopkins, Dialogue Editor: Alan Bell, Foley Editor: Terry Busby, Adviser: Aisin Gioro Pu Jie, Adviser: Li Wenda, Adviser: Guoburou Run Qi, Adviser: Aisin Gioro Yu Zhan, Aisin Gioro Wen Xin, Dialogue Coach: Cicely Berry, Dialogue Coach: Constantine Gregory, Armourer: Sergio Forcina, Armourer: Memo Mancino
Cast (63)
John Lone (Pu Yi), Joan Chen (Wan Jung), Peter O'Toole (Reginald Johnston, 'R.J.'), Ying Ruocheng (Jin Yuan), Victor Wong Chi-keung (Chen Pao Shen), Dennis Dun (Big Li), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Amakasu), Maggie Han (Eastern Jewel), Ric Young (interrogator), Wu Jun Mei (Wen Hsiu), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Chang), Jade Go (Ar Mo), Fumihiko Ikeda (Yoshioka), Richard Vuu (Pu Yi, age 3), Tijger Tsou (Pu Yi, age 8), Wu Tao (Pu Yi, aged 15), Fan Guang (Pu Chieh, adult), Henry Kyi (Pu Chieh, age 7), Alvin Rily Iii (Pu Chieh, age 14), Lisa Lu (Empress Dowager Tzu Hsui), Hideo Takamatsu (General Ishikari), Hajime Tachibana (Japanese translator), Basil Pao (Price Chun), Jian Xireng (Lord Chamberlain), Chen Kaige (Captain of Imperial Guard), Zhang Liangbin (Big Foot), Huang Wenjie (hunchback), Laing Dong (Lady Aisin-Gioro), Don Zhendong (old doctor), Dong Jiechen (doctor), Constantine Gregory (oculist), Soong Huaikuei (Lung Yu), Shao Ruzhen (1st High Consort), Li Yu (2nd High Consort), Li Guangli (3rd High Consort), Xu Chungqing (Grey Eyes), Zhang Tianmin (old tutor), Luo Hongnian (sleeping old tutor), Yang Baozong (General Yuan Shikai), Cain Honxian (Scarface), Yu Shihong (Hsiao Hsiu), Wu Yun (Wen Hsiu, age 12), Lucia Hwong (lady of the book), Cui Jingpin (lady of the pen), Wu Hai (republican officer), Gu Junguo (Tang), Xu Tongrui (captain of Feng's army), Li Fusheng (minister of trade), Chen Shu (Chang Ching Hui), Cheng Shuyan (Lady Hiro Saga), Luo Shignag (Chang Ching Hui's secretary), Zhang Daxing (tough warder), Zu Ruigang (2nd warder), Zhang Jungxiang (party boss), Akira Ikuta (Japanese doctor), Ma Guang, Cui Xinmin (Japanese bodyguard), Li Zhenduo (dignitary), Yang Hongchang (scribe), Wang Biao (prisoner), Michael Vermaaten (American), Matthew Spender (1st Englishman), Martin Reynolds (2nd Englishman)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (63)
In: Film Review vSpec. n59 August 2005  Pages: 70-71
Title: The best films of the '80sAuthor: FOX, Tom Article type: NoteLanguage: English

In: Film Review vSpec. n55 Yearbook 2005  Page: 110
Title: The Last EmperorAuthor: GERARD, Simon J Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Empire n178 April 2004  Page: 37
Title: Now showingAuthor: AITKEN, Natasha Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Review of The LAST EMPEROR DIRECTOR'S CUT.

In: Empire n181 July 2004  Page: 154
Title: Remote control: rwdAuthor: NEWMAN, Kim Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Film Review vSpec. n51 Epics  Pages: 70-97
Title: The top 20 greatest epics of all timeAuthor: BRETT, Anwar Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: The LAST EMPEROR is listed as number 16 in a feature on the best epic films "of all time".

In: Radio Times v302 n3944 18 Sep 1999  Page: 53
Title: [Radio Times - v302 n3944 18 Sep 1999: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Short review.

In: Sight and Sound v9 n8 August 1999  Page: 62
Title: Video: retailArticle type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Details of video release of The LAST EMPEROR - DIRECTOR'S CUT.

In: Empire n111 September 1998  Page: 125
Title: Video to buyAuthor: MURRAY, Giala Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: A review of the video release.

In: Variety 23 Nov 1998  Pages: 48-49
Title: THE LAST EMPEROR ORIGINAL DIRECTOR'S CUTAuthor: CHESHIRE, Godfrey Article type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: English
Description: Article on the release of the Director's Cut of The Last Emperor

In: Asian Cinema v7 n2 Winter 1995  Pages: 74-85
Title: On Zhang Yimou's "Golden Touch": A Comparison between ...Author: ZHENGXING, Faye Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article comparing JUDOU with THE LAST EMPEROR.

In: TV Times v148 n6 6 Feb 1993  Page: 11
Title: Inside the Forbidden CityAuthor: HANLON, Marsha Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Details on the making of THE LAST EMPEROR.

In: Sight and Sound v3 n7 July 1993  Page: 62
Title: [Sight and Sound - v3 n7 July 1993: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Laser disc note

In: Cinemaya n17/18 Aut/Win 1992  Pages: 90-91
Title: Bertolucci's The Last EmperorAuthor: BERNSTEIN, Richard Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: In a special edition looking at how Western directors deal with the East, two articles looking at how China is portrayed in THE LAST EMPEROR

In: Cinema Journal v31 n2 Winter 1992  Pages: 26-44
Title: "Ecstasy of difference": Bertolucci's The Last EmperorAuthor: LOSHITZKY, Yosefa Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Argues that the film's stylistic structure and the organisation of its narrative, lead to "the symbolic annihilation of women, and... the death of desire".

In: The Hollywood Reporter v319 n41 24 Oct 1991  Page: 2
Title: Court backs Bertolucci on share of 'Last Emperor' profitsAuthor: CUSOLITO, Karen Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: California Court of Appeals affirms lower court ruling that Hemdale Film Corp. must pay director Bertolucci and prod- ucer Thomas from distribution of 'Last Emperor.'

In: Empire n7 January 1990  Pages: 80-81
Title: Empire directoryAuthor: McILHENEY, Barry Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: American Cinematographer v70 n8 August 1989  Pages: 70-74
Title: [American Cinematographer - v70 n8 August 1989: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro describes his approach to photographing the film.

In: Film Comment v25 n5 Sep/Oct 1989  Pages: 46-48,50
Title: ColorificArticle type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Vittorio Storaro on hi theory that cinema is a language of images, the differences between American and European camerawork, black and white cinematography, and his work on the LAST EMPEROR.

In: The Hollywood Reporter v300 n42 25 Jan 1988  Page: 1,41
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v300 n42 25 Jan 1988: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article reporting on the film receiving four Golden Globe awards.

In: Screen International n636 23 Jan 1988  Page: 1,2
Title: [Screen International - n636 23 Jan 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details of row over cuts to scenes in the film for Japanese distribution

In: Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade v14 n2/3 Feb/Mar 1988  Page: 32
Title: [Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade - v14 n2/3 Feb/Mar 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: On its success in Japan.

In: City Limits n336 10 Mar 1988  Page: 28
Title: [City Limits - n336 10 Mar 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Geoffrey Crothall argues that the film glorifies the life of the Emperor Pu Yi.

In: Cinemaya n1 Autumn 1988  Pages: 31-32
Title: On ScreenAuthor: MA, Ning Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: In Camera Autumn 1988  Page: 11
Title: [In Camera - Autumn 1988: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Brief item on Vittorio Storaro and the lenses and techniques he used in shooting the film THE LAST EMPEROR.

In: Film Quarterly v42 n2 Winter 1988/89  Pages: 47-52
Title: [Film Quarterly - v42 n2 Winter 1988/89: no known title]Language: English

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v55 n651 April 1988  Page: 127
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v55 n651 April 1988: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Addenda to details given in the March 1988 issue of MFB.

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v55 n650 March 1988  Pages: 82-83
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v55 n650 March 1988: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Films and Filming n401 February 1988  Pages: 34-35
Title: [Films and Filming - n401 February 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: City Limits n333 18 Feb 1988  Pages: 14-15,96
Title: [City Limits - n333 18 Feb 1988: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Bertolucci about the film

In: The Hollywood Reporter v301 n41 4 Apr 1988  Page: 6
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v301 n41 4 Apr 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Comment in the Hollywood Report column on the funding, produ ction and distribution of the film.

In: The Listener v119 n3051 25 Feb 1988  Pages: 29-30
Title: [The Listener - v119 n3051 25 Feb 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Time Out n914 24 Feb 1988  Page: 28
Title: [Time Out - n914 24 Feb 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Sight and Sound v57 n2 Spring 1988  Pages: 134-135
Title: [Sight and Sound - v57 n2 Spring 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: City Limits n334 25 Feb 1988  Page: 26
Title: [City Limits - n334 25 Feb 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: American Cinematographer v69 n4 April 1988  Pages: 53-54
Title: [American Cinematographer - v69 n4 April 1988: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article on Vittorio Atoraro's work as cinematographer on the film, on the occasion of his nominations for ASC and Academy Awards.

In: Time Out n907 6 Jan 1988  Pages: 16-19
Title: [Time Out - n907 6 Jan 1988: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Report, on location of the filming of the LAST EMPEROR, includes Bertolucci's comments.

In: Films and Filming n410 Nov/Dec 1988  Page: 18
Title: [Films and Filming - n410 Nov/Dec 1988: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Brief credits and review.

In: Films in Review v39 n2 February 1988  Pages: 76-77
Title: [Films in Review - v39 n2 February 1988: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Brief interview with Bertolucci

In: Positif n322 December 1987  Pages: 66-68
Title: [Positif - n322 December 1987: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: French

In: Positif n311 January 1987  Pages: 20-25
Title: [Positif - n311 January 1987: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: French
Description: Extract from a production diary during filming in China during August 1986.

In: Interview v17 n12 December 1987  Page: 147
Title: [Interview - v17 n12 December 1987: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Joan Chen about her role in the film.

In: American Film v13 n2 November 1987  Pages: 34-40
Title: [American Film - v13 n2 November 1987: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with the director about the film

In: Encore v5 n4 26 Mar 1987  Page: 27
Title: [Encore - v5 n4 26 Mar 1987: no known title]Article type: Location ReportLanguage: English
Description: Location report by Australian film student Teck Tan, appointed personal assistant to John Lone who plays the Emperor.

In: Film Comment v23 n6 Nov/Dec 1987  Pages: 31-32, 35-36
Title: [Film Comment - v23 n6 Nov/Dec 1987: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Production and location report, as well as an article by the director and notes on Pu Yi.

In: The Hollywood Reporter v299 n15 7 Oct 1987  Page: 3,26
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v299 n15 7 Oct 1987: no known title]Language: English

In: Le Film Francais n2168 20 Nov 1987  Page: 6
Title: [ Le Film Francais - n2168 20 Nov 1987: no known title]Article type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: French

In: Variety 7 Oct 1987  Page: 16,22
Title: [Variety - 7 Oct 1987: no known title]Language: English

In: Cahiers du Cinéma n392 February 1987  Pages: 59-62,64
Title: [Cahiers du Cinéma - n392 February 1987: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Interview with Bertolucci, during filming.

In: Screen International n621 10 Oct 1987  Page: 27
Title: [Screen International - n621 10 Oct 1987: no known title]Language: English

In: Screen International n548 17 May 1986  Page: 2
Title: [Screen International - n548 17 May 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production to start on Aug 4

In: Screen International n559 2 Aug 1986  Page: 16
Title: [Screen International - n559 2 Aug 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Credits

In: Screen International n559 2 Aug 1986  Page: 6
Title: [Screen International - n559 2 Aug 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note

In: American Film v12 n1 October 1986  Pages: 19-21
Title: [American Film - v12 n1 October 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production report

In: Screen International n556 12 Jul 1986  Page: 1
Title: [Screen International - n556 12 Jul 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details of rights

In: Sight and Sound v56 n1 Winter 1986/87  Pages: Winter 38-39
Title: [Sight and Sound - v56 n1 Winter 1986/87: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production report

In: Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade v12 n4/5 Apr/May 1986  Page: 46
Title: [Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade - v12 n4/5 Apr/May 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: Screen International n523 16 Nov 1985  Page: 12
Title: [Screen International - n523 16 Nov 1985: no known title]Language: English
Description: More details

In: Broadcast 31 Aug 1984  Page: 10
Title: [Broadcast - 31 Aug 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details of possible co-production deals for the film

In: Screen International n447 26 May 1984  Page: 1,2
Title: [Screen International - n447 26 May 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Notes

In: Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade v10 n6 June 1984  Page: 2
Title: [Foreign Sales, Italian Movie Trade - v10 n6 June 1984: no known title]Language: English

In: Screen International n467 13 Oct 1984  Page: 12
Title: [Screen International - n467 13 Oct 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Project abandoned

In:   Page: 106
Title: [ - : no known title]
Description: Interview with Bertolucci.

In:   Pages: 94-105, 183-184
Title: [ - : no known title]
Description: Production report and stills


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (9)
Title: After Fellini: national cinema in the postmodern age
Author: MARCUS, Millicent  Pages: xi, 377 p.

Title: Reflections: twenty-one cinematographers at work
Author: BERGERY, Benjamin  Pages: xii, 268 p.

Title: movies: texts, receptions, exposures
Author: GOLDSTEIN, Laurence  Pages: 338p.

Title: Bernardo Bertolucci: the cinema of ambiguity
Author: TONETTI, Claretta Micheletti  Pages: 281p.
Description: la COMMARE SECCA pp. 8-24 PRIMA DELLA RIVOLUZIONE pp. 25-44 PARTNER (1968) pp. 45-74 STRATEGIA DEL RAGNO pp. 75-96 il CONFORMISTA pp. 97-121 l' ULTIMO TANGO A PARIGI pp. 122-141 1900 (1976) PP. 142-168 la LUNA (1979) pp. 169-187 la TRAGEDIA DI UN UOMO RIDICOLO pp. 188-199 the LAST EMPEROR pp. 200-227 the SHELTERING SKY pp. 228-245 LITTLE BUDDHA pp. 246-256

Title: ultimo imperatore: storia di un viaggio verso (dal film di Bernardo Bertolucci)
Author: GAROFALO, Marcello  Pages: 361p.
Description: Mainly illustrative. Additional publisher; Libreria dello Stato.

Title: Cinemascopie: propos sur le cinema contemporain
Author: DESOBRIE, Jean  Pages: 227p
Description: Text in French. AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS pp. 57-85 FATAL ATTRACTION pp. 127-149 LAST EMPEROR pp. 105-127 LECTRICE pp. 175-203 PASSION BEATRICE pp. 85-105 TANDEM pp. 39-57 WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT pp. 203-227

Title: The last emperor
Author: BEHR, Edward  Pages: 336p.

Title: last emperor: a film by Bernardo Bertolucci, a Jeremy Thomas production

Title: Ombres jaunes: journal de tournage Le dernier empereur de Bernardo Bertolucci
Author: GERARD, Fabien S  Pages: 191p.


Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(5)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1066954
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access



Video materials(2)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-629053
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1066954
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access



Film materials(3)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-631051
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-631052
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1317143
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status