Bernardo Bertolucci (Director), Puyi (Novel)

CAST
John Lone
Joan Chen
Peter O’Toole
Ying Ruocheng
Victor Wong
Dennis Dun
Vivian Wu
Ryuichi Sakamoto

Based on From Emperor to Citizen, The Autobiography of Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi by Puyi

Review

I’ve been aware of this movie for a long time but only recently saw it when one of my local movie theatre put it back on the big screen. This Academy Awards winning biographical drama that came out in 1987 depicts the various stages of Puyi, the last emperor of China’s life.

It’s a long but interesting movie that is as informative as it can be while still being an historical drama. There are three big chunks of Puyi’s life, his ascension to the throne at the age of two including his sheltered childhood, his abdication and later attempts to rule under various political forces, and his imprisonment and political rehabilitation by the Chinese Communist Party. Even though these major shifts in Puyi’s life, which coincide with China’s transition from imperial rule to the establishment of the Republic of China, are visually distinct if you’re not somewhat familiar with China’s history, part of this movie can be a little confusing. However, the script endeds up doing a good job at filling you in on those gaps in your general knowledge.

All the historical and societal context aside this story is about a young sheltered man’s struggle to adapt to an ever changing country with major shifts in power, ideology, and societal norms. His isolation and lack of control permeates this film at different stages of his life, which would have made it hard for anyone to know who they are and what their purpose in life is, stunting his personal growth and opening him up to be manipulated. It is a bit sad yet fascinating in particular in the hands of John Lone who portrays adult Puyi.

The Last Emperor provides a poignant and thought-provoking portrayal of Puyi’s struggles within the context of China’s historical transformation.

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