Empire of the Sun (1987) – Filming Locations
Drama / History / War · Directed by Steven Spielberg · Starring Christian Bale, Miranda Richardson
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
Where was Empire of the Sun filmed?
- Shanghai, China, Shanghai – Opening scenes of pre-war Shanghai with Jim's privileged childhood and the Japanese invasion. Spielberg filmed opening sequences in Shanghai to establish the exotic colonial setting and Jim's world before the war disrupts it
- Bourne Wood, England, Farnham – Forest scenes of Jim separated from his parents and wandering through dense woodland. A major location in Surrey used for the chaos of war and Jim's disorientation after becoming separated from his family
- Madrid, Spain, Madrid – Various urban scenes depicting Shanghai during wartime and the Japanese occupation. Spanish locations were used as substitutes for Shanghai due to logistical and political constraints in filming during the 1980s
- Lunghua, China, Shanghai – Scenes of the Japanese internment camp where Jim and other civilians are imprisoned. The actual historical site of Lunghua camp, where Spielberg filmed the pivotal internment sequences central to the film's narrative
- Port Swettenham, Malaysia, Port Klang – Scenes of ships, docks, and wartime maritime activity. Malaysian port facilities used to film the naval and shipping sequences, providing authentic wartime harbor atmosphere
- Surrey, England, Surrey – Multiple sequences including the Japanese airfield and various internment camp scenes. Surrey served as a primary production base for Spielberg's film, with various locations used for constructing sets and filming sequences