The Last Emperor is a 1987 biographical epic film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and written by Mark Peploe and Bertolucci, based on the life of Pu Yi, the last Emperor of China. The film begins with Pu Yi's birth in 1906 and his ascension to the throne at the age of three. He lives a sheltered life inside the Forbidden City, surrounded by eunuchs and courtiers, with his mother as his only source of love and affection.
As Pu Yi grows older, he becomes increasingly aware of the outside world and the political changes taking place in China. He is hesitant to give up his absolute power and is eventually forced to abdicate in 1912, when he is just six years old. The film then follows Pu Yi's life as he is forced to adapt to new circumstances and navigate the complex political landscape of early-20th-century China.
Pu Yi becomes a pawn in the hands of various political factions, including the invading Japanese, who use him as a puppet ruler. Despite his position of power, Pu Yi is portrayed as a lonely and unhappy figure, struggling to find his place in the world. He falls in love with a concubine, Wan Jung, but their relationship is doomed by political circumstances.
The film is notable for its lavish production design and sweeping cinematography, as well as its exploration of themes such as power, identity, and destiny. The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography, and is considered a landmark of Chinese cinema. It remains an engrossing and powerful portrait of a man caught in the changing tides of history.