| The Last Emperor (1987) Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci |
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When Bernardo Bertolucci directed the 1987 Oscar awarded film The Last Emperor, about the life of the last Emperor to rule China, various locations in Dalian were used. At the time, many more of the city's original colonial structures existed. These native styles were a perfect setting for the movie's time period. In fact, many events that shaped the course of history for China and Japan took pace in Dalian. As the major hub between Manchuria and Japan, Henry Pu Yi had actually spent time the costal city.
These movie frames are of easily recognizable locations that still exist in present day Dalian. Many other interiors were used in the film, but these structures have either been torn down or significantly remodeled. Not long after the movie was shot in Dalian, the city begin its dramatic transformation. Nearly untouched for decades, the port city has reinvented itself in the span of a few short years. |
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| Comparison: Film Location With Current Appearance |
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When the Japanese built Zhongshan Square as the central hub of metropolitan Dalian, resembling the spiral design of Paris, roads and trollies intersected the circular park. It has since been closed off and only a perimeter road around the central circle can be used by traffic. In this scene, no actual road existed where these cars are driving. The central water fountain that was a feature of the park for many years has also been removed since this movie was filmed. |
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| Copyright Notice: These video grabs are for informational purposes only under the "fair use" statute of international copyright law. They have been tagged for identification from this site, to credit their creation. This in no way takes credit for the creative content of the images. All the original rights remain and continue to apply. |
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The chauffeured automobile of Henry Pu Yi, the last Chinese Emperor, drives along the perimeter road of Zhongshan Square. The Bank of China building, originally built as the Japanese Yokohama Bank in 1910 and one of the oldest structures in Dalian, can be seen on the left. |
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A rear-view of Henry Pu Yi's car as it speeds along Zhongshan Square. To the right can be seen the original Chosen Bank of Korea, and to the left is the original red brink Japanese Police Headquarters. |
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Actor Peter O'Toole played the role of Reginald Johnston, the Scottish tutor of the Last Emperor. The scene where Johnston boards a ship to return to England was filmed at the Dalian Port Terminal, originally built by the Japanese. It also happened to be the actual location that the real Henry Puyi had sailed from to Japan on a State Visit.
Cinematic Mistake: A reflection of light can be seen from a window over one of the musicians. This indicates that the scene was shot through one of the glass doors that exist there. |
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| Video for Editorial Usage Only: These film clips are for informational purposes only under the "fair use" statute of international copyright law. No infringement is intended. |
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| Dalian Location 1 - The Last Emperor (4:35 clip) - Dalian Hotel |
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| Dalian Location 2 - The Last Emperor (0:58 clip) - Zhongshan Square |
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| Dalian Location 3 - The Last Emperor (2:29 clip) Dalian Sea Port |
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