Empire of the Sun

"Empire of the Sun" (1987)

The moment: An English schoolboy (Christian Bale) in a Japanese POW camp during World War II salutes the brave Japanese fliers in the airfield across the barbed wire.

Why it's great: Captive and captors come together in a shared respect for the modern... more warriors in "Empire of the Sun."

Why it has lasted: Though the boy stands in the mud of a prison camp dressed in oversized rags, Spielberg shoots scruffy Bale with all the honor due a holy benediction. When the boy offers the ceremony his own song -- a Welsh hymn sung in a beautiful soprano -- Spielberg transforms the culture clash into a moment of shared reverence. The soldiers turn to the war orphan, recognize the integrity of his offering, and find honor in this "difficult boy." It's a beautiful moment showing Spielberg's affinity for a child's wonder and innocence placed in the terrible horror of war.

(Everett Collection)