The last emperor Junghan Kim History 251 001 David Dendy March 30, 2012
The movie starts with a 3 years old Puyi taking the throne after the death Empress Dowager Cixi. He is innocent and too young to rule the country by himself. He is a powerless emperor and he knows that. He is even not allowed to go out from Forbidden City. Puyi then has to leave Forbidden City by against his will. He tries to restore his throne by Japanese support. However, he is just used as puppet reign of Manchukuo to colonize whole china. At the end of World War II, Puyi is captured by Chinese Communist Party as a war criminal. Overall, this 3 and half hour long film quite accurately shows the last emperor Puyis puppet life. Moreover, viewers can understand the life of late Qing Dynasity and the Republic of China after 1949 from the backgorund.
The film quite accurately portrays Puyis puppet life. Puyi began his life as emperor believing that he would completely control of all of China. However, when he came into power, he was only two years old, not nearly capable enough to be the emperor of an entire country. Puyi was used to show that they imperial throne was being passed on to the next kin of the dead emperor. This in a way displayed the traditions of the Chinese, passing the rule down to the next male of the family. Puyi was only allowed to live in the Forbidden City while Yuan Shih-kai ended up ruling the country. Puyi was completely used by the Chinese imperial government and was definitely their
puppet. At one point in the movie, Puyis powerless is indicated by saying, "I am not a gentleman, I am not allowed to say what I mean. They are always telling me what to say." Furthermore, Puyi was not only a puppet for Chinese imperial government, but also a puppet to the Japanese. When Puyi was chased out of the Forbidden City, he fled to Japan. When Japan took over Manchuria and renamed it Manchukuo, Puyi was their choice for new emperor. The Japanese made many attempts originally to offer to Puyi help in regaining his throne in China. Finally, he takes an offer to restore his throne. However, Puyi was just used by Japanese even though he wanted to use them. Japanese made suggestions to him that were more like orders. Puyi, in fact, did not have all that much power in Manchukuo. His existence was basically to sign laws that the Japanese created and to serve as the figure head for Japanese propaganda. This scene seems to be true. In real history, Japanese always monitored him.
A few of the scenes in the movie indirectly show that historical background at that time. In the beginning of the movie, Puyi is not allowed to go out from the Forbidden City. It seems to not make sense because he is a Chinese emperor who can do whatever he wants to do. Another evidence is that after he argue with his younger brother Pujie, Pujie shows him the President of the Republic and he notice that Outside China is now a Republic with a President. These scenes indicate that there are no more
emperors out side of Forbidden City and the Chinese society gets into modern society. the Xinhai revolution overthrew the Qing dynasty In 1911. Xinhai revolution can explain why the emperor becomes the person who only can live in the Forbidden City. Another example of the changing Chinese historical background is indicated when puyis tutor Reginald Fleming Johnston comes into Forbidden City. His car is surrounded by revolutionaries gathering outside the walls. It seems to be The May Fourth Movement. Another good example of the revolutionary tradition is often shown after puyi gets out from the jail. Mao is praised by citizen. His idea is widely spread. The government in China changed many times over the course of Puyi's life, including the eventually takeover by the Communists. The film seems to accurately portray the historical background in China.
The only false history in the film is the babys death. Indeed,. However, in the film, it was humorous that the baby was a foreigner with blue eyes other than a Manchuria. And the way to kill the baby was by lethal injection. In actual history, Puyi was really angry with Wantongs pregnancy by one of the servant. The baby girl was a Manchuria, and he killed her by throwing into a fire. Even though this movie is directed by French director Bernardo Bertolucci,
there could be some bias and historical errors because this movie is based on Puyis autobiography Emperor To Citizen. However, this movie has worthy to watch because it shows quite accurate puyis life and historical background at that time. From the movie, viewer can understand what happened to china form end of Qing dynasty to end of World War II. If this movie is not only based on Puyis autobiography but also passes through historical investigation, it would be more realistic. By the way, the moive the last emperor was the first feature film for which the producers were authorized by the Chinese government to film in Beijingand won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director(Richard, 1988)
Blakeney, Ben Bruce (19 July 1945). "Henry Pu Yi". Life Magazine: 7886. Richard, C (1988) Love And Respect, Hollywood-Style, Thomas, J. (Producer), Bertolucci, B. (Director), &Peploe, M. (Writer). (1987).
The Last Emperor [DVD]. Hollywood, CA: Columbia Pictures.
