P-51 Mustang Scene - Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun 1987
Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie (John Malkovich), who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirits, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

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[MarkPickavance]

A friend of mine, the late Paul Bernard, was present for the shooting of those scenes. He told me that the Mustang pilot made a head-on pass on the tower that is briefly seen in these clips, where everyone in the film crew was convinced that he was about to fly right into them. He didn't, but a number of people needed a change of trousers afterwards.

[PennHoo]

Markings on the plane are 23rd Fighter Group 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, "Black Lightening Squadron", and obviously in line with the movie they primarily operated in China. A nice added accurate detail by the makers of this excellent movie.

[garygilmore]

Amazing how Christian Bale lost weight and height for this movie so well known for his versatility and physical transformations for his many roles

[MJLovesNature]

At 25 years old, I still have a similar reaction watching P-51s fly by

[roderickreilly]

"P-51! CADILLAC OF THE SKIES!"
One of the greatest scenes ever filmed.

[boisebadboy]

I work as a fueler at a local airport and there is a MASSIVE WW2 museum on the field. Every year they have an airshow and the owner has friends from all over the world bring their warbirds here for flyovers. I've fueled P-51s, F4U Corsairs, B25s, etc... and every time I do, I'm absolutely mesmerized at how beautiful they are.

[gheilers]

HOW did Christian Bale get ignored during "awards time?" This was arguably the BEST performance by a pre-teen, in cinema history.

[johnwyper]

My dad flew a P-51 Mustang in the Pacific theater. Before he passed away he wrote a book about his experience.

[a.w.]

I'm German, but the P51 is the most beautiful airplane I ever saw. Much more beautiful than the german Bf109 or FW190. That were great airplanes too, but the P51 is much more elegant, more aerodynamic. I love this airplane. Really perfect engineering!

[SuperTruck]

I remember my parents telling me to sit and watch this...as my dad and I both loved the P-51.
I have never forgotten how stunning and masterpiece this film is. The amount of detail and perspective has always been amazing to me. Its been roughly 33 years and I STILL love this movie to this day....and this scene especially. That slow motion shot ...the engine sounds and gunfire...just an absolute masterpiece of artwork. 🙏

[Jdtunn]

As a kid growing up in the 80s and 90s I must have watched this movie about 20 times. The reality of those camps, the unlikely friendship of an English boy and young Japanese pilot, the horror of an atomic bomb seen as an amazing white light and the union of children with their parents.

This scene touches me in the feels every time. It also shows how brilliant bale's acting was. He was not a trained adult actor at this time. He came to the project raw and new, but I believe this was a good thing. He could show the emotions of a child and not what he was told they should be. Real.

[fatty]

Probably one of my favourite childhood films.. it was always on the end of the 80s early 90s at Christmas in the UK 🇬🇧

[andrewmontgomery]

Those are real pilots flying those P-51s. They were both Mark and Ray Hanna and Hoof Proudfoot.

[geniol]

What a beautiful scene for all of us who love aviation, when the pilot greets the child I always shed a tear even though I saw it a thousand times, sublime, bravo! 👏👏👏

[markdonnelly]

Even at such a young age Christian Bale was a fantastic actor

[texomajohn]

This is one of those movies you remember for years and years.

[Nessevan]

Still my all time favorite scene of any movie.

[leonardomartinezzdanovicz]

As a Kid i was exciting in this scene and the p51 mustang has been my favorite plane. Hear the motor and whistle it's amazing

[Pfoxpilot]

This is why i love the P-51 Mustangs fucking beauty of Aviation no one can’t disagree with me

[yourstruly]

"I was looking at the P-51."
"Oooohhh, good for you!!"