Empire of the Sun Soundtrack (

Empire of the Sun Soundtrack (1987) cover

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Rating: 7.70/10 from 135000 votes
Alternate Names:
Title in Español:

El imperio del sol

Title in Italiano:

L'impero del sole

Title in Português:

Império do Sol

Synopsis

1941. The Japanese are occupying much of China in the Sino-Japanese War. Diplomatic security protects the International Settlement in Shanghai, the many westerners there still leading a very comfortable, western-styled life.

Twelve year old Briton Jamie Graham, the son of a mill owner, has lived his entire life in the International Settlement, that life one of wealth and privilege. As such, Jamie, an airplane aficionado, is a spoiled child, who has not even learned Chinese, expecting any natives with who he deals, including the household domestics, to speak English.

That comfortable life changes with the Japanese entry into WWII through the attack at Pearl Harbor. Simultaneously, the Japanese overtake the Settlement, including all its private property, forcing its western residents to evacuate immediately.

It is through Jamie's self-absorption that he becomes separated from his parents during the evacuation, he, now alone, needing to fend for himself for the first time in his life.

It is during this time if Jamie will grow up and learn to live within the new tenuous situation that he will either live or die, life which he hopes will mean eventually being reunited with his parents sometime down the road.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play Title Artist
Empire of the Sun
Suo Gan
John McCarthy: Arranged and conducted
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Eric Maschwitz: Lyrics
Elizabeth Welch: Performer
These Foolish Things
Elizabeth Welch: Performer
South of the Border
Swing is in the Air
Chopin Mazurka Opus 17 No. 4
The British Grenadiers
Cadillac Of The Skies
John Williams: Performer
Jim's New Life
John Williams: Performer
Lost In The Crowd
John Williams: Performer
Imaginary Air Battle
John Williams: Performer
The Return To The City
John Williams: Performer
Liberation: Exsultate Justi
John Williams: Performer
The British Grenadiers (Traditional)
John Williams: Performer
Toy Planes, Home And Hearth (Chopin Mazurka Opus 17 No. 4)
John Williams: Performer
The Streets Of Shaghai
John Williams: Performer
The Pheasant Hunt
John Williams: Performer
No Road Home / Seeing The Bomb
John Williams: Performer
Exsultate Justi
John Williams: Performer
Suo Gan (extended version)** (The Ambrosian Junior Choir, feat. James Rainbird)
John Williams: Performer
Home and Hearth**
John Williams: Performer
Trip Through the Crowd
John Williams: Performer
Japanese Infantry*
John Williams: Performer
Alone at Home*
John Williams: Performer
The Empty Swimming Pool*
John Williams: Performer
The Streets of Shanghai
John Williams: Performer
The Plane
John Williams: Performer
Mrs. Victor and James*
John Williams: Performer
Seeing the Bomb**
John Williams: Performer
Bringing Them Back*
John Williams: Performer
Suo Gân (The Ambrosian Junior Choir, feat. James Rainbird)
John Williams: Performer
Exsultate Justi (extended version)**
John Williams: Performer
Disc Time:
John Williams: Performer
Chopin: Mazurka, Op. 17 No. 4 (excerpt)*
John Williams: Performer
Imaginary Air Battle (alternate)*
John Williams: Performer
Alone at home (alternate)*
John Williams: Performer
The Streets of Shanghai (film version segment)*
John Williams: Performer
The Streets of Shanghai(alternate segment)*
John Williams: Performer
Chopin Again*
John Williams: Performer
The Plane (alternate)*
John Williams: Performer
Cadillac of the Skies (alternate)*
John Williams: Performer
The Return to the City (alternate)*
John Williams: Performer
Raiders March from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
John Williams: Performer
Theme from "Always"
John Williams: Performer
Adventures on Earth from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"
John Williams: Performer
Theme from "Sugarland Express"
John Williams: Performer
Title Theme from "Jaws"
John Williams: Performer
Out to Sea / The Shark Cage Fugue from "Jaws"
John Williams: Performer
Exsultate Justi from "Empire of the Sun"
John Williams: Performer
Parade of the Slave Children from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
John Williams: Performer
Over the Moon from "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial"
John Williams: Performer
March from "1941"
John Williams: Performer
Cadillac of the Skies from "Empire of the Sun"
John Williams: Performer
Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"
John Williams: Performer
Medley: Close Encounters of the Third Kind / When You Wish upon a Star
John Williams: Performer
Flying from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"
John Williams: Performer
Theme from "Jurassic Park"
John Williams: Performer
Remembrances from "Schindler's List"
John Williams: Performer
Flight to Neverland from "Hook"
John Williams: Performer
The Battle of Hollywood from "1941" (Includes the Irish Folksong "The Rakes of Mallow")
John Williams: Performer
Smee's Plan from "Hook"
John Williams: Performer
The Barrel Chase from "Jaws"
John Williams: Performer
My Friend, the Brachiosaurus from "Jurassic Park"
John Williams: Performer
Jim's New Life from "Empire of the Sun"
John Williams: Performer
The Dialogue from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
John Williams: Performer
The Lost Boys Ballet from "Hook"
John Williams: Performer
Theme from "Schindler's List"
John Williams: Performer
The Basket Chase from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
John Williams: Performer
The Face of Pan from "Hook"
John Williams: Performer
The Banquet Scene from "Hook"
John Williams: Performer
The Adventures of Mutt from "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
John Williams: Performer
Dry Your Tears, Afrika from "Amistad"
John Williams: Performer
The BFG from "the BFG"
John Williams: Performer
With Malice Toward None from "Lincoln"
John Williams: Performer
The Duel from "the Adventures of Tintin"
John Williams: Performer
A New Beginning from "Minority Report"
John Williams: Performer
Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from "Catch Me If You Can": I. Closing In
John Williams: Performer
Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from "Catch Me If You Can": II. Reflections
John Williams: Performer
Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from "Catch Me If You Can": III. Joy Ride
John Williams: Performer
Marion's Theme from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
John Williams: Performer
Hymn to the Fallen from "Saving Private Ryan"
John Williams: Performer
Dartmoor, 1912 from "War Horse"
John Williams: Performer
Viktor's Tale from "the Terminal"
John Williams: Performer
Prayer for Peace from "Munich"
John Williams: Performer
Immigration and Building from "the Unfinished Journey"
John Williams: Performer
Steven Spielberg & John Williams: The Adventure Continues
John Williams: Performer
THE NOVELS: Love Theme - Jane Eyre
John Williams: Performer
Main Theme - Angela's Ashes
John Williams: Performer
Medley - The Book Thief
John Williams: Performer
AMERICANA: Suite - The Reivers
John Williams: Performer
Love Theme - The Missouri Breaks
John Williams: Performer
TRAGIC ROMANCE: Love Theme - Story of a Woman
John Williams: Performer
Across the Stars - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
John Williams: Performer
THRILLERS: Main Theme - The Eiger Sanction
John Williams: Performer
End Credits - Presumed Innocent
John Williams: Performer
End Credits - Family Plot
John Williams: Performer
A TRIBUTE TO STEVEN SPIELBERG: ET and Me - E.T. The Extraterrestrial
John Williams: Performer
Main Theme - Schindler's List
John Williams: Performer
Cadillac of the Skies - Empire of the Sun
John Williams: Performer
Suite - Lincoln
John Williams: Performer
Main Theme - Jurassic Park
John Williams: Performer
War Horse: The Auction
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Seeding And Horse Vs. Car
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Joey's New Friends
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Death Of Topthorn
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Reunion
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Remembering Emilie And Finale
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Adventure Continues
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Adventures Of Tintin: Captain's Counsel
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Secret Of The Scrolls
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Milanese Nightingale
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Capturing Mr. Silk
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Captain Haddock Takes The Oars
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Munich: End Credits
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Terminal: The Tale Of Viktor Navorski
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Catch Me If You Can: Catch Me If You Can
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
AI Artificial Inteligence: The Mecha World
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Saving Privat Ryan: Hymn To The Fallen
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Schindler's List: Theme From Schindler's List
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Jurrasic Park: Theme From Jurassic Park
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Hook: Flight To Neverland
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: The Keeper Of The Grail
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom: Nocturnal Activities
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
E.T. The Extra-terrestrial: Main Theme
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Raiders Of The Lost Ark: Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Main Theme
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Jaws: Theme From Jaws
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Bonus Track: Radio Symphony Orchestra Llubljana – Symphony No. 8 ‘Unfinished': Allegro Moderato
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Chances Are (Johnny Mathis)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Love Song of the Waterfall (Slim Whitman)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull: Wake Up Little Susie (The Everly Brothers)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Little Bitty Pretty One (Bobby Day)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
The Color Purple: Body And Soul (Coleman Hawkins & His Orchestra)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
My Heart (Will Always Lead Me Back To You) (Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Minority Report: Solitude (Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Munich: Prelude To A Kiss (Stan Getz – )
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Never On Sunday (Melina Mercouri)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: You're A Sweet Little Headache (Benny Goodman & His Orchestra)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
1941: Daddy (The Andrews Sisters)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Always: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (The Platters)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Yakety Yak (The Coasters)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Saving Private Ryan: Tu Es Partout (Edith Piaf)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
Empire Of The Sun: South Of The Border (Al Bowlly & The Mayfair Orchestra)
Leslie Bricusse: Performer
STAR WARS: Star Wars: A New Hope
John Williams: Performer
Cantina Band
John Williams: Performer
Princess Leia
John Williams: Performer
The Throne Room / Finale
John Williams: Performer
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: The Imperial March
John Williams: Performer
Han Solo and The Princess
John Williams: Performer
The Asteroid Field
John Williams: Performer
Yoda's Theme
John Williams: Performer
RETURN OF THE JEDI: Forest Battle
John Williams: Performer
THE PHANTOM MENACE: Anakin's Theme
John Williams: Performer
The Flag Parade
John Williams: Performer
The Adventures Of Jar Jar
John Williams: Performer
Duel Of The Fates
John Williams: Performer
ATTACK OF THE CLONES: Across The Stars
John Williams: Performer
REVENGE OF THE SITH: Battle Of The Heroes
John Williams: Performer
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: The Raiders March
John Williams: Performer
The Map Room / Dawn
John Williams: Performer
The Basket Game
John Williams: Performer
Marion's Theme
John Williams: Performer
Airplane Fight
John Williams: Performer
The Ark Trek
John Williams: Performer
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
John Williams: Performer
THE TEMPLE OF DOOM: Nocturnal Activities
John Williams: Performer
The Mine Car Chase
John Williams: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom End Credits
John Williams: Performer
THE LAST CRUSADE: Indy's First Adventure
John Williams: Performer
X Marks The Spot / Escape From Venice
John Williams: Performer
No Ticket / Keeping Up With The Joneses
John Williams: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade End Credits
John Williams: Performer
THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE: Hedwig's Theme
John Williams: Performer
Nimbus 2000
John Williams: Performer
Harry's Wondrous World
John Williams: Performer
Christmas at Hogwarts
John Williams: Performer
Leaving Hogwarts
John Williams: Performer
Fawkes The Phoenix
John Williams: Performer
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS: The Chamber of Secrets
John Williams: Performer
Gilderoy Lockhart
John Williams: Performer
Dobby the House Elf
John Williams: Performer
Reunion of Friends
John Williams: Performer
PRISONER OF AZKABAN: Aunt Marge's Waltz
John Williams: Performer
The Knight Bus
John Williams: Performer
Double Trouble
John Williams: Performer
A Window to the Past
John Williams: Performer
Wands and Wizards
John Williams: Performer
Mischief Managed / A Window to the Past / Buckbeak's Flight
John Williams: Performer
The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn – The Adventures Of Tintin
John Williams: Performer
War Horse – The Reunion
John Williams: Performer
War Of The Worlds – Suite
John Williams: Performer
Munich – A Prayer for Peace
John Williams: Performer
The Terminal – The Tale of Viktor Navorski
John Williams: Performer
Minority Report
John Williams: Performer
Catch Me If You Can
John Williams: Performer
Artificial Intelligence: AI – Where Dreams Are Born
John Williams: Performer
Saving Private Ryan – Hymn To The Fallen
John Williams: Performer
Amistad – Dry Your Tears, Afrika
John Williams: Performer
Schindler's List – Theme
John Williams: Performer
Jurassic Park – Suite
John Williams: Performer
Hook – Main Themes
John Williams: Performer
Always – Follow Me / Dorinda's Solo Flight
John Williams: Performer
Empire Of The Sun – Exsultate Justi
John Williams: Performer
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – Adventures On Earth
John Williams: Performer
1941 – March
John Williams: Performer
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind – The Conversation Begins / Main Title / Resolution and Finale
John Williams: Performer
Jaws
John Williams: Performer
The Sugarland Express
John Williams: Performer
Memoirs of a Geisha – Sayuri's Theme & End Credits
John Williams: Performer
Far And Away – End Credits
John Williams: Performer
JFK – Arlington / End Titles
John Williams: Performer
Presumed Innocent
John Williams: Performer
Born On The Fourth Of July – End Credits
John Williams: Performer
The Witches Of Eastwick – Dance Of The Witches
John Williams: Performer
The River – Main Theme / Love Theme
John Williams: Performer
Olympic Fanfare and Theme
John Williams: Performer
Dracula – Main Titles & Storm
John Williams: Performer
The Fury
John Williams: Performer
Superman
John Williams: Performer
Black Sunday – Suite
John Williams: Performer
The Missouri Breaks – Love Theme
John Williams: Performer
Family Plot – End Titles
John Williams: Performer
Battle of Midway
John Williams: Performer
The Towering Inferno
John Williams: Performer
Earthquake
John Williams: Performer
The Long Goodbye
John Williams: Performer
Cinderella Liberty – Nice To Be Around
John Williams: Performer
The Poseidon Adventure
John Williams: Performer
The Cowboys – Suite
John Williams: Performer
Jane Eyre – Theme
John Williams: Performer
The Rare Breed – The Cross-Breed / End Credits
John Williams: Performer
Excalibur: "O Fortuna" (from Carmina Burana)
John Barry: Performer
The Scarlet Letter: "Agnus Dei"
John Barry: Performer
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: "Battle of the Heroes"
John Barry: Performer
The Da Vinci Code: "Kyrie for the Magdalene"
John Barry: Performer
Conan the Barbarian: "Riders of Doom"
John Barry: Performer
1492: Conquest of Paradise
John Barry: Performer
The Double Life of Veronique: "Concerto in E-Minor"
John Barry: Performer
King Kong: "It's Beauty That Killed the Beast"
John Barry: Performer
The Mission: "On Earth As It Is In Heaven"
John Barry: Performer
The Abyss
John Barry: Performer
Amistad: "Dry Your Tears Afrika"
John Barry: Performer
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: "Only the Beginning of the Adventure"
John Barry: Performer
The Lion in Winter: "Suite"
John Barry: Performer
The Omen: Suite
John Barry: Performer
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: "Evenstar / A Knife in the Dark"
John Barry: Performer
Edward Scissorhands: "Main Title & Ice Dance"
John Barry: Performer
The Passion of the Christ: "Resurrection"
John Barry: Performer
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: "Duel of the Fates"
John Barry: Performer
Les Choristes: "Vois Sur Ton Chemin / In Memoriam"
John Barry: Performer
The Last Valley: "Main Title / The Valley"
John Barry: Performer
The Sum of All Fears: "The Mission"
John Barry: Performer
The Empire of the Sun: "Exsultate Justi"
John Barry: Performer
If: "Sanctus" (from Missa Luba)
John Barry: Performer
How the West Was Won: "Prelude"
John Barry: Performer
Saving Private Ryan: "Hymn to the Fallen"
John Barry: Performer
Henry V: "Non Nobis Domine"
John Barry: Performer
Raiders of the Lost Ark - March
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Duel - The Cafe / Truck Attack
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
The Sugarland Express - Main Title
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Jaws - Main Title
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Suite
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
1941 - March
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Raiders of the Lost Ark - The Map Room
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Raiders of the Lost Ark - The Basket Game
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial - Adventures on Earth
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Poltergeist - Main Theme
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Twilight Zone: The Movie - Suite
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
The Color Purple - Finale
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Empire of the Sun - Exsultate Justi
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - Finale
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - Mine Car Chase
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Indy's First Adventure
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Always - Follow Me / Dorinda's Solo Flight
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Hook - Main Themes
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Hook - When You're Alone
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Jurassic Park - Main Themes
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Schindler's List - Main Theme
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Amistad - Dry Your Tears Afrika
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Saving Private Ryan - Hymn to the Fallen
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
A.I. Artificial Intelligence - Where Dreams are Born
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
The Terminal - The Tale of Viktor Navorski
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - End Credits Suite
Billy Goldenberg: Performer
Raiders Of The Lost Ark - The Raiders March
John Williams: Performer
Always - Theme
John Williams: Performer
E.T. : The Extra Terrestrial - Adventures On Earth
John Williams: Performer
Sugarland Express - Theme
John Williams: Performer
Jaws - Theme
John Williams: Performer
Jaws - Out To Sea / The Shark Cage Fugue
John Williams: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom - Parade Of The Slave Children
John Williams: Performer
E.T. : The Extra Terrestrial - Over The Moon
John Williams: Performer
Empire Of The Sun - Cadillac Of The Skies
John Williams: Performer
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade - Scherzo For Motorcycle And Orchestra
John Williams: Performer
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - Excerpts
John Williams: Performer

User reviews

Stephanie Williams
6/10

The use of traditional Chinese instruments in certain tracks adds a layer of authenticity to the film's setting and historical context. The fusion of Western orchestral arrangements with Eastern musical elements creates a unique and immersive listening experience that transports the audience to the era of the Sino-Japanese War.

Elizabeth Evans
6/10

The soundtrack of Empire of the Sun effectively captures the emotional journey of the protagonist, Jamie, as he navigates through the turmoil of war and loss. The music beautifully complements the themes of innocence, resilience, and hope, enhancing the storytelling and evoking a sense of empathy from the audience.

Joshua Perez
8/10

Each musical piece evokes a sense of nostalgia for the privileged life Jamie once had in the International Settlement in Shanghai, setting the tone for his transformation from a spoiled child to a resilient survivor.

Deborah Scott
1/10

I found the soundtrack of Empire of the Sun to be lacking emotional depth and connection to the characters' experiences. The music did not effectively convey the intensity and turmoil of the Sino-Japanese War and the impact it had on young Jamie's life.

Steven Evans
7/10

The haunting melodies and poignant themes in the soundtrack of Empire of the Sun enhance the storytelling, immersing the audience in the complex emotions of hope, fear, and resilience experienced by the characters.

Emily Phillips
1/10

Overall, I believe the soundtrack of Empire of the Sun missed an opportunity to enhance the narrative and evoke a stronger emotional response from the audience.

Andrew Thompson
2/10

The score felt generic and uninspired, failing to capture the essence of the time period and the cultural clash between the Westerners and the Japanese in Shanghai. I was left feeling disconnected from the story and characters due to the underwhelming musical accompaniment.

Andrew Mitchell
8/10

The orchestral arrangements beautifully convey the tension and uncertainty of war, mirroring Jamie's internal struggles and growth as he learns to adapt to his new reality.

Elizabeth Rodriguez
10/10

The soundtrack of Empire of the Sun perfectly captures the emotional journey of the main character, Jamie, as he navigates through the tumultuous events of World War II. The music evokes a sense of innocence and vulnerability in the midst of chaos, reflecting Jamie's transformation from a spoiled child to a resilient survivor.

Susan Brown
10/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Empire of the Sun is a masterpiece that enhances the emotional impact of the film, making it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

George Allen
9/10

The orchestral arrangements in the soundtrack are both haunting and uplifting, adding depth and intensity to key moments in the film. The use of traditional Chinese instruments alongside Western symphonies creates a unique and immersive listening experience that enhances the storytelling.

Michelle Gonzalez
8/10

The soundtrack of Empire of the Sun perfectly captures the emotional journey of the main character, Jamie Graham, as he navigates through the turmoil of war and loss.