The Last Emperor

This is the story of Pu Yi, the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. The film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We see the 3-year-old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless, dying dowager Empress Tzu-Hsui. Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys, the infant emperor is cosseted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912 the young emperor - forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic - is a prisoner in his own palace, “protected” from the outside world. Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung, who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition.