Empire of the Sun

An original storyboard binder used in the production of Empire of the Sun, the 1987 war picture starring a young Christian Bale under the direction of Steven Spielberg.

This storyboard binder was used during the production allowing the filmmakers to visualise the sequences to be filmed. The binder contains production made copies of the original renderings for the major action sequences of the movie totalling over 450 storyboards each featuring an illustration with a description of the action taking place below with many containing details relating to camera movement. Every storyboard page is stamped with the production stamp 'EMP0040' in red ink with the majority featuring the copyright of Warner Bros and Amblin Entertainment, some boards featuring colour pen and minor annotations. The content of the binder is split using file dividers which are hand inscribed with the name of each of the following major sequences, the number of storyboards for each noted in brackets.

• Detention center (94)
• Nantao railway (58)
• Nantao airfield (64)
• Jim's fever (69)
• Mustang raid (34)
• Basie leaves (54)
• Lt. Price (45)
• Death march (38)

The storyboards are each A4 in size and remain in excellent production used condition throughout featuring only very minimal wear, the binder in which they are contained exhibiting some water damage to the front, otherwise fine.

An exceptionally fine example of original production material from this critically acclaimed picture.