Sign up
Trailer

The Last Emperor

1987Movie2 h 43 minPG-13

DramaHistory
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.7Letterboxd3.9/5Metacritic768.1Rotten Tomatoes86%88%

A deeply moving, epic drama movie about history and a real life story, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, warmth or scares.

Movies with

Story

1500 slaves. 353,260,000 royal subjects. Warlords. Concubines. And 2 wives. He was the loneliest boy in the world.

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

Feels like

  • Epic Historical Biography
  • Visually Stunning Cinematography
  • Melancholic Life Story
  • Forbidden City Setting
  • Non-Linear Narrative Structure
  • Orchestral Masterpiece Score
  • Political Drama
  • Tragic Coming-of-Age
  • Immersive Period Piece

Cast

24 of 24

Crew

Directed by
Bernardo Bertolucci
Written by
Bernardo Bertolucci, Mark Peploe
Produced by
Jeremy Thomas, John Daly, Joyce Herlihy
Music by
Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, Su Cong

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 4, 1987 · 2 h 43 min · PG-13

Released
October 4, 1987
Runtime
2 h 43 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, History
Original language
English
Also spoken
Nyanja, Japanese, Chinese
Made in
China, France, Italy, United Kingdom
Budget
$24 million
Box office
$44 million
Available in
31 countries
Keywords
based on true story

Tropes

Starts with a Suicide, Pretty in Mink, Heel Realization +9

  • Starts with a Suicide
  • Pretty in Mink
  • Heel Realization
  • A Child Shall Lead Them
  • Real-Person Cameo
  • It's All About Me
  • Hot Consort
  • Dastardly Whiplash
  • Break the Haughty
  • The Quisling
  • Evil Cripple
  • No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

12 of 68 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Last Emperor?"

Questions about The Last Emperor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Last Emperor?

HBO MaxCriterionCinemax

In the United States, The Last Emperor streams on HBO Max, Criterion, and Cinemax. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 21 other countries.

Is The Last Emperor worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 7.7, Letterboxd 3.9 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 76).

Is The Last Emperor okay for kids?

PG-13ViolenceSexual contentDisturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for violence, sexual content, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

What tropes does The Last Emperor use?

Starts with a SuicidePretty in MinkHeel RealizationA Child Shall Lead ThemReal-Person CameoIt's All About MeHot ConsortDastardly WhiplashBreak the HaughtyThe QuislingEvil CrippleNo Good Deed Goes Unpunishedand 56 more

TV Tropes lists 68 tropes for it, including Starts with a Suicide, Pretty in Mink, and Heel Realization.