10 Great World War II Movies You've Probably Never Seen

The Japanese occupation of China is an often glossed over element of the war in the West despite the fact that it led to the deaths of 18 million civilians as a result of murder, famine or disease, a casualty figure comparable only to the one borne by the Soviet Union.

It is testament to the fact that Hollywood only pays attention to the parts of the war in which Westerners were involved that Empire of the Sun, perhaps the best known depiction of the occupation (in a small capacity) centres around British and American characters. It is one of the more well-known films on this list given that it is a Steven Spielberg creation, but over time it has been massively overshadowed by his other World War II epics, Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.

Centered on Jamie, a British boy who is separated from his parents in Shanghai, Empire of the Sun is part coming-of-age-story, part prison adventure film and part horrifying showcase of life under Japanese occupation. It marked one of the first on-screen appearances of Christian Bale, whose gravitas in the leading role at just thirteen years of age exemplifies why he has gone on to have such a long and successful career.

No actual combat is shown, but the loss of Jamie’s innocence as he becomes more hardened and world weary under imprisonment is as hard hitting as any battle could be. By no means should the film be as anonymous in Spielberg’s vast filmography as it is.