Empire of the Sun (1987)

Those looking for the source of the full-fledged artist behind Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan need look no further than this relatively forgotten Spielberg effort from 1987. Brilliantly utilizing the kids'-eye-view approach honed in E.T. to decidedly different effect, Spielberg captures the terrors and thrills of a wartime childhood separated from every element that had previously allowed life to make sense. A young Christian Bale gives a deeply impressive performance, nicely holding his own against an equally memorable John Malkovich, but it's the tone of the film -- a sense of dreadful wonder in the midst of extreme circumstances, and a detachment that makes Bale's environment seem as alien to viewers as it does to his character -- that makes the most lasting impression. Though not seen as such at the time, this is a major step forward for Spielberg that is well worth rediscovery. ~ Keith Phipps, All Movie Guide