Considered by many to be Bertolucci's masterpiece, this nine-time Oscar winner gets a cinematic re-release containing an extra hour of footage. The new material draws us further into the experiences of Pu Yi, the last Chinese Emperor, who was crowned at the age of three but forced to abdicate at six, ending 3,000 years of Imperialist rule.
Growing up in a troubled land, he fights opposition from China's warlords, the Kuomintang and ultimately the communists. Not only does the film serve as an eye-opening history lesson (it was the first Western film made in China), it stands up as a remarkable cinematic achievement.
The magnificent colours, sets, costumes and countless extras that make up the Forbidden City are breathtaking. A genuine treat and, even at a shade under four hours, an absolute must.