Empire of the Sun (1987)

It's 1941, and just at the beginning of World War 2. James "Jamie" Graham, a young British boy who lives with his rich family in Shanghai gets separated from his parents when there is a Japanese army invasion. He goes back to his house but his parents aren't there. He stays for a few months until the food runs out. But when he goes back to Shanghai on his bike, he is mugged by a Chinese boy. He's nearly run over by a truck, which the driver named Frank brings him back to where he and his friend Basie are staying. Not long after they are sent to the Soochow Interment prison camp, which is next to an airbase site. When the war ends, Jamie is eventually reunited with his parents but doesn't recognize them right away because of the long time that has passed since he's seen them. From the autobiography of J.G. Ballard, this is an emotional and exciting story. Christian Bale, only thirteen and in his film debut, is simply mesmerizing. Starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantaliano, Ben Stiller 8/10