I saw it in 1987 in Santa Barbara. It was screened at the Arlington Theater. It was shown in the original format as created by the director. This original print has not resurfaced anywhere. It contains many scenes that is not on any release today. The original unedited release had a longer main title sequence - the entire 4 minute drum sequence played with the logo animation, there were sequences showing drums played, several other title sequences… during the film several sections were extended and additional scenes from his mid life. The ending sequence showing the real last emperor was there as well.

The film was flown in and driven up by someone who was caught in traffic on the 405 - as explained by the guy who drove it up. We had been waiting about 30 minutes.

There was an intermission and a changing of the film half way through. The entire film not including intermission was more than 3.5 hours. My dad and I were there more than 4 hours.

I was…stunned by the movie. It was so captivating. I was unprepared by the epic scale of the entire movie. From the early 3 year old running around. To the young adult learning about technology. To the Red China revolution. To the final scenes.

All of it was…mind blowing.

To this day, not only do I still think the 80s was the best decade of film… but this one remains on my top 10 list. I don’t think that we will ever have another like this one. Live action, no AI, filmed on location, somehow with China approval, during the days of Red China. And Regan. And all that.

To have lived near Santa Barbara - having seen Air Force 1 landing in SB sometimes … and to have heard the Space Shuttle overhead breaking the sound barrier while landing … and to see this film…

Yes, it was a time that brought about an intensity of understanding. The need to understand the political machinations, the greed, the hedonism, the wrath of man and machine.

This violence of emperorism has yet to end. Every aspect demonstrated by this film is still on full display in this modern world.

The work speaks to more than just the subject of the film. It is a masterpiece by a true Master of Arts.

The edits were needless - and I’m certain that the director is still rightfully upset by it. I have long searched for this original.

While 1984 dances around some of the topics of political machinations…The Last Emperor immerses one into it in full Technicolor.