EMPIRE OF THE SUN Due as Blu-ray Book on 11/3

Warner Home Video will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Empire of the Sun, the powerful coming-of-age World War II drama, with the debut of a new Blu-ray Book on November 13.

Directed by three-time Oscar® winner Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan 1993 – Directing, Schindler’s List 1993 – Directing and Best Picture) and most recently nominated for War Horse (Best Picture - 2011), Empire of the Sun garnered six Academy Award® nominations (1988) -- for Art Direction + Set Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Original Music Score, Costume Design and Sound. The film about a young English boy’s struggles to survive the Japanese occupation of Shanghai stars Christian Bale (soon to be donning Batman’s cape again in The Dark Knight Rises), John Malkovich (Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich), and Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Sleepy Hollow), along with Joe Pantoliano (TV’s “The Sopranos,” Memento) and Ben Stiller (Madagascar (voice); Meet the Parents).

Empire of the Sun debuts on Blu-ray for the first time in a premium Blu-ray book featuring a collectible 36-page book with rare images, cast bios, facts about the film, essays and more.  Empire of the Sun Blu-ray Book will be available for $34.99 SRP. Orders are due October 19.

Based on J. G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun tells the story of a young English boy, James Graham (Bale), whose privileged life is upturned by the Japanese invasion of Shanghai on December 8, 1941. Separated from his parents, he is eventually captured, and taken to Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. Amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, Jim attempts to reconstruct his former life, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him.

Special Features:
The China Odyssey: Empire of the Sun: Behind the scenes documentary on the making of the movie

Warner at War: Documentary on how Warner Bros. uses the movies to prepare the US for war and to keep up morale on the home front during WWII. Narrated by Steven Spielberg

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