The 1987 movie Christian Bale “couldn’t stand” was the one that sent him “a little bit insane”
Christian Bale has said the experience of making *Empire of the Sun* as a child left him overwhelmed and desperate to leave acting. The 1987 film gave him his breakthrough, but his recollections show how demanding a major production can be for a young performer.
Bale was 12 when he won the lead role from more than 4,000 children, playing a boy held prisoner by Japanese forces during the Second World War. Filming took place in the UK, Spain and Shanghai; director Steven Spielberg had Bale run before some takes, and the role included scenes of distress. The film barely broke even at the box office, despite six Oscar nominations, while Bale received several industry awards.
- Bale found filming *Empire of the Sun* overwhelming at age 12.
- The role launched his career but made him want to quit acting.
- The film earned six Oscar nominations despite weak box-office returns.
New here? Start with this
Empire of the Sun is a 1987 film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a novel by J.G. Ballard. Set during the Second World War, it follows a British boy separated from his family after Japan takes control of Shanghai and held in a prisoner-of-war camp.
Christian Bale played the boy at the age of 12, in his first major film role. The story is often discussed as an example of the pressures a demanding production can place on a child actor, who has to work long hours and perform emotionally difficult scenes.
The film received six Oscar nominations, though it did not make much money at the box office. Bale won several awards for his performance, which helped establish him as a young actor.