Empire Of The Sun - Suo Gan Scene

[TheBlake138]

Hard to believe that's Batman singing Suo Gan.

[takharov1]

Yes tell that to all the civilian victims in China , Korea and the Phillippines. All the Allied women and children mistreated by the Japanese. Not to mention the awful crimes of the Bataan death march, Laha airfield massacre and killing of Australian and Indian troops at Palit Sulong.

Not to mention the countless other atrocities the noble Japanese committed.

[mgolata]

i never get tired of watching this movie

[SsgtVenere]

Even though they were our enemy in world war II, i respect all of them for their honor and gratitude to their country!

[2drewbaker]

It reharks the begining of the movie.

[MrCaesarnapoleon]

The boy knows they are going to certain death so he is honoring their sacrifice and bravery. If you watch the Japanese Imperial officer he has tears in his eyes.

[lolomixed64]

I really enjoyed that movie when I was a kid.

[mcrmyjl15]

beautiful movie!! a masterpiece

[greengun37]

I didn't even realize that the high voice was Christian Bale

[dopycman]

this make me cry ever time

[cannywf1]

Why does he sing a Welsh Lullaby when he's English...??

[TheFinchmonster]

@cannywf1 because wales and England are both under the crown (english royal family) and were pretty much the same country for the past 600-700 years maybe more so for the english singing a welsh lullaby would be like catholics praying in latin (suo gan is a hym also sung in church) and if you look up the english translation its very simbolic for this moment in the film

[cannywf1]

@TheFinchmonster Thanks for the explanation... :)

[TheFinchmonster]

@cannywf1 any time, had this stuck in my head so i looked it up and got all this info on it XD

[MarvellousMuffin]

@TheFinchmonster

Basically, if you tell a Welshman he's the same as an Englishman, he will not thank you. I'm sure he'll have no problem with being British, but he's not English. He's just as distinct as a Scotsman or an Irishman.

[MarvellousMuffin]

@cannywf1

I'm afraid a safer bet would be that the little boy sings Suo Gan in the movie because his actor is from Wales.

[RyanBrooksby]

@TheFinchmonster

same as men of harlech even though only 2 welsh showed up in the battle.

[MarvellousMuffin]

@TheFinchmonster

It's not an English royal family, no. It's the British royal family that comes originally from Hanover. They also aren't the same country, and haven't been for 600-700 years. Wales was a part of England, but it was never the same. It is now seperate. Also, the flaw in your point about Catholics and Latin being similar to English people and Welsh is that there are only 150 000 welsh language speakers in England. There are over 51 million English people.

[MarvellousMuffin]

@TheFinchmonster

In contrast, it's a sad fact that many English people (not all) consider the Welsh to be backwards, lazy, good-for-nothing "sheepshaggers" or "subsidy junkies", with similarly negative views being held by some of the Welsh towards the English. It's absolutely disgraceful how bad it can get sometimes. The English are also descendants of the Anglo-Saxons, so they are a Germanic group of people (and are proud of that). The Welsh on the other hand are Brythonic.

[MarvellousMuffin]

@TheFinchmonster

In short, the Welsh and the English are not the same group of people, nor is the Welsh language to English people in any way similar to Catholics and Latin. To some Welsh people however, it is similar to Catholics and Latin.

[TheSchizopodcaster]

@cannywf1 Pam dim? / why not?

[Kylelee1988]

Even I am Chinese, But I love this film.

[AmazingWingedGirl]

BEST SCENE!!!!

[EdwardNygma1]

Was disappointed to hear that Christian didn't actually sing this.

[JoaniMac1]

poignant, riveting,  this child in times of war

[newuncertainty]

music doesn't care about fences, nationalities, or war, why don't we listen to it?

[lissakr11]

I forgot about this movie... one of my all-time favorites, brings tears to me eyes every time. Love the little boy.

[SpeedingSolicitor]

@lissakr11 it's christian bale!!!

[lissakr11]

@SpeedingSolicitor Thank you. This is one of 'the' best movies ever, next to Schindler's List and Dances with Wolves; movies in our era. Wonder if Christian Bale is still around? Do you know?

[wildfireintexas]

@lissakr11 You are joking, right? Christian Bale has been steadily making movies since "Empire of the Sun." Ever ever hear of "Batman Begins" and Dark Knight," just to name two of the better known recent films? Just look him up on IMDB.

[peppermintful]

james rainbird is the singer

[claney01]

I first saw this when I was about 15 or so, and it stuck with me. Not many films do. But this one did. I'm now 40.

[jackewacky]

bender



[1schwererziehbar1]

lol the end is funny.

[yeclix]

This kid learns a great amount of crazy languages in this movie, welsh, latin, chinese, japanese...

[spreilly481935]

Wait... Christian Bale was a kid? IMPOSSIBLE!

[Nayomi007]

totally the best :p

Does anyone know where can I download this song mp3 ?

[kelleysweitzer]

@Nayomi007 It's available on iTunes.

[0emila1230]

This song makes me cry

[servenini]

it is from my chilhood i love it

[BarracudaSP1]

In case you're wondering-

The Kamikaze guys are singing a piece called "Umi Yuukaba". It's an old song, so old it's apparently pre-imperial, so I hear.

[gallilis]

I love these film and this is the best scene.

[xalicesmithx]

he has a beautiful voice :]

[celebrei]

@xalicesmithx not his voice, just lip syncing



[LexathonLA]

This scene gives me goosebumps. Chilling and powerful.

[jademakos123]

BONZAIIIIIIII!!!!!!

[thesongstud27]

this scene is haunting.

[m3talh3ad1994]

this scene gives me major goosebumps. One of the greatest scenes in American Movie History.

[Oxycontin1000mg]

beuatifull film and song, its sad aswell our forefathers fought in the war, it showa we all feel sorror god bless there souls

[aerotoxicosis]

1:25 I feel exactly what hes showing

[aerotoxicosis]

1:26 I feel exactly what hes showing

[TheSpanky717]

in my top 4 movie



[Dzyndzelek83]

fajna piosenka pozdrowienia z polski

[miahk2]

Only one word to describe the feeling of every character in this clip, clearly evident in Nagata's face- epiphany.

[Zinaxu]

Spielberg's best film

[Barry21stCentury]

The singer is James Rainbird ... [in Welsh] Suo Gân literally means "Lullaby". The first few lines are:

Sleep my baby, at my breast,

’Tis a mother’s arms round you.

Make yourself a snug, warm nest.

Feel my love forever new.

Harm will not meet you in sleep,

Hurt will always pass you by.

Child beloved, always you’ll keep,

In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.

[Leentjec1]

it's a Welsh lullaby

[1ondalunga]

SCENA STUPENDA, un grande films.

[acblueeagle]

No, it is not a lullaby. He is saluting them, honoring them.

[ThePMAnimation]

@acblueeagle it is a lullaby

[Napoleon8788]

Good spelling *really

[Napoleon8788]

It does make sense. Unless i'm seeing it totally wrong, he's singing a Lullaby to 3 kamikaze pilots e.g. goodnight to 3 people who are about to die.

Rreally great scene. Watched the film a couple of nights ago since last seeing it about 12 years ago. Awsome film.

[brethynda123]

This scene never made sense.

[yippitydodah]

Beautiful clip, showing what being Cymraes/Welsh is all about - a need for everyone to put their toys down, but impossible, I know.

And forgot Christian Bale was in this. He was born in West Wales I believe, before him and his family moved away. Always like the stuff he does in movies.

[310245535]

Christian Bale didn't actually sing this, but it was another kid around his same age. You have to remember that this was the ideal for young boys - and still is in many ways. The Simpsons actually made fun of how traditional boy's choirs are supposed to have that high-pitched sound. (Homer was a choir boy, and then his voice changed.) But yeah, this film is one of my favourites, and definitely one of Steven Spielberg's finest achievements.

[joeg171]

Great film- The book is even better

[VioletteChevre]

Pfft! A school girl wishes she could sing like batman! XD

[Heulzie]

awesome,speillberg is a genius with music as well

[moviedude1500]

This movie is Steven Spielberg's "underrated" masterpiece. It was such a beautiful film

[Nalevka]

This is the most beautyfull movie i've ever seen. And this scene always makes me cry. Epic ;-)

[chivaAngel]

Lyrics: Hunan blentyn, ar fy mynwes Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon Breichiau mam sy'n dyn amdanat Cariad mam sy dan fy mron Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun Ni wna undyn a thi gam Huna'n dawel, annwyl bientyn Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam Huna'n dawel hana huna Huna'n fwyn y del ei lun Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenum Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu Arnat yno'n gwenu'n lion Titha'u'n gwenu'n ol a huno Huno'n dawel ar fy mron

[tongsongkiong]

eventhough i dont understand one single thing but the song is so beautiful

[lichtbroeder]

@tongsongkiong If you Google Suo Gan you will find the words in the original Welsh, with English translations. The song is a lullaby; this is the 1st verse:

To my lullaby surrender,

Warm and tender at my breast;

Mother's arms with love caressing

Lay their blessing on your rest;

Nothing shall tonight alarm you,

None shall harm you, have no fear;

Lie contented, calmly slumber

On your mother's breast my dear.

[foucault1020]

@lichtbroeder Thanx. I always wondered what the words meant

[ColdRegina]

Kamikazes! GO 

[aislandiego]

Can you please tell me, what's the name of the song which the Japanese are Singing at very beginning ?

Thank you in advance.

[Akira89M]

@aislandiego Umi Yukaba (If I go to sea)

[aislandiego]

@Akira89M

Thank you very much Mr. Akira

see ya.

[whatev6408]

There's hope for humanity after all

[jakkobs1]

zajebiście że to wrzuciłeś :)

[soon2fly]

Quality scene and film! 

[juniorcaxias]

only people with soul undertand the meaning of a tear!!!! Realy amazing film and song! Touch our heart and spirit! ;-)

[Puronicth]

Tell the kids that we're skipping going to war this year.

Instead, we're going to where people can sing a Welsh Lullaby.

Tell them war sucks and Batman can sing.

[ahauntedhistory]

@Puronicth That's stupid. Batman is a totally different character from a totally different movie.

[chillmr]

The end of the clip brings you right out of the daydream state that the song causes.

You want a hersheys bar?

[MissFrida82]

quanti ricordi! era uno dei miei film preferiti da bambina ed ero anche affascinata dal protagonista.

p.s la colonna sonora è stupenda sono contenta di avere la possibilità di poterla riascoltare.

[MrBulelani]

I watched this film when I was very young, but I have never once forgotten this amazing song, It's forever ingraved in my memories

[gallilis]

Ich liebe diesen Film und bei diesem Lied bekomme ich jedes Mal Gänsehaut. Christian Bale war als Kind schon ein Spitzenschauspieler^^

[scotfreak]

my favorite movie. my parents sang me this lullaby

[dimflamingo]

It means something like

Sleep my baby, at my breast,

It's a mother’s arms round you

Make yourself a snug, warm nest

Feel my love forever new

Harm will not meet you in sleep

Hurt will always pass you by

Child beloved, always you’ll keep in gentle sleep, mother’s breast near

I'm Welsh.

[harrison28514]

I say this one should be remembered as Steven Spielberg's finest masterpiece, not Schindler's list.

[arbeitsscheuer]

@harrison28514 Totally agree. Perfection.

[foucault1020]

@harrison28514 I agree. 

[WC3POchannel10A]

@harrison28514 I wholeheartedly agree.

[Alchemist1330]

@harrison28514 A man can have more than one masterpiece. I think they both are. but definitly not E.T. i don't know why steven himself thinks that E.T was one of his best films.

[LordDarthVader5]

Those are Kamikaze pilots. You can tell by the headband.

[smokerinnunavut]

love,love and love it!

[254002]

only watched the film today ..this song makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up..

[ospreymate]

@254002 Ya it was on RTE 1 Yesterday -- Realy great film -- this is a brilliant scene -- brings a tear to your eye --- no matter how many times you see the Film !! ..

[JosephineNZ]

great war movie

[dawidjoseph05]

Always when I see this scene I just cry

I never why

this is so beauty...

one's my 3 favorite soundtracks

greetings from Poland

[rumpastumpa]

IT'S BATMAN! singing like a school girl

[TheDayfornight]

@rumpastumpa lol

[kafem57]

@rumpastumpa

NOT his voice unfortunately. Aled Jones ... Welsh boy soprano - now grown up.

[StephanieMorelli]

@rumpastumpa

HEHEHEHEEEE...

[evren1925]

@rumpastumpa

he was 12 at that movie you smartass. How about u? Could you sing like pavarotti at that age? Or you still just shitting in ur pants?

[rumpastumpa]

@evren1925 Calm down you fucking little queer, it was a joke, relax

[adErsante]

@rumpastumpa

maybe evren1925 is the Christian Bale himself...who knows? He never forgive u.

[rumpastumpa]

@adErsante lol, possible

[evren1925]

@rumpastumpa s f up mouth shitter

[dannacee]

@rumpastumpa I don't think he actually sang that

[m3talh3ad1994]

@rumpastumpa lol, if you wanted to know it's actually what we singers call Counter Tenor or Mezzo Soprano. Lots of older men sing like that, including me.

[rumpastumpa]

@m3talh3ad1994 bahahaha u can hit those high notes can you?

[m3talh3ad1994]

@rumpastumpa if you really care, I actually can. It has to be in falsetto, but I can.

[lakostal]

@m3talh3ad1994 Lots of older men, you are 16-17 years old o.o

[TheM3talH3ad1]

@lakostal Doesn't mean that my voice hasn't fully developed. My point is that it isn't unheard of for men to sing this way. Look up counter tenors and you'll know what I mean.

[jademakos123]

@rumpastumpa lolol

[2010wieliczka]

@rumpastumpa Nonsense :) It is tipical boy soprano, completely different from female/ girl voices.

[rumpastumpa]

@2010wieliczka lol, it's just a joke dude, relax, fuck, alot of u guys get worked up about this

[la2449lakers]

What does the song mean??

[AHafan1]

@la2449lakers it's a Welsh lullaby, a mother singing to the child to go to sleep and not fear because angels watch over it. Here, you could interpret it as Jim singing to the pilots, overcome perhaps by their lack of fear, as they go to their eternal sleep

[ConradInternational]

@AHafan1

That's Welsh?! I swear to God, I though it was Japanese!

[0shizznes0]

@ConradInternational that is welsh ! :D waw! iv never noticed b4 either.

[pithie84]

@ConradInternational me to until i watched thefilm a few years ago and tried to find the song. I was quite shocked as I thought the exact same as you

[fujianprince]

@ConradInternational Welsh songs sound like Japanese, and Scottish songs to Chinese. No joke. Ethno-musicologists are researching into it.

[ConradInternational]

@fujianprince

Thank you for sharing that information. Very interesting!

[patocamion]

great escene, the best, thanks.

[the2KINaToR]

I was kinda dissapointed when I found out that christian bale didn't sing in the movie. But all I can say is that Christian Bale is one dang good actor. :) <3 Also this song gives you that feeling of a forgotten memory. How you want to go back when you had a pure innocence of a child. Before everything changes...

[peppertee]

That kid is Christian Bale. Wikipedia it.

[WlazlyPL]

najlepsza scena w całym filmie

[ThePiskklak]

jak dla mnie najlepszy film o tematyce wojennej 

[Bangsta187]

the best scene

[yes32167]

naprawde piosenka bardzo piekna a film również piękny

[irish89055]

lovely... esp the last frame

[jfpack]

The juxtaposition of a lullaby with the reality of sending children on suicide missions is just brilliant.

[thejonin567]

Basie is such a douche in this movie. "He gave me a freakin MANGO!!!!"

[Kenny9645]

this movie is so underrated

[Tallerus72hippie]

I watched this with my dad way back when and ever sense It's still hard to get over... the fact that the kid could grasp the American accent so well xD. "How ya doin Frank?"

[crhymes]

one of the greatest films of all time.

[enricozou]

great scene

[enricozou]

偉大的一幕

[deutschland08fn]

Who would have guessed that now he'd be yelling at people on set not singing to them.

[xXxholydemonxXx]

@sillychad18 oh i know that but im just saying there are some differences thats all

[xXxholydemonxXx]

@HGunner70 i didn't there was a difference but there is catholics honor the saints and our lady of Guadapule as were christians dont and in the catholic ver. of the bible it has both old and new testament while in christian ver. of bible only has the new testament

[Abermaw1]

schultz0089 asks "Isn't the song a lullaby about a mother putting her child to sleep???"

Perhaps, without realising it you have hit the nail on the head –the kamikaze pilots are about to be "put to sleep".

Huno in Welsh can mean both asleep or dead; the thing that is poignant about the song is that one can't be certain if it is a lullaby to a sleeping child or an elegy to a dead child.

[soupaulista36]

Esse filme é incrivel, pela belíssima atuação de Christian Bale, ele faz com tanta paixão, emoção ao representar tão bem a canção Suo Gan. Amo esse ator!

Ele é dimaissssssssss!!! ; )

[pothwei76]

Amazing Movie.

What the hell is Ben Stiller doing in it?

[Stevedjdpiper]

This tune is great on the pipes.

[communistjoe1]

Why does the plane randomly blow up?!?

[plenum222]

@communistjoe1 - Hi, the plane was shot down by the attacking P-51's - but you're right by being confused. In the film, the sun is rising and in the next immediate scenes (in broad daylight) the Americans attack the airbase. It confused me too, but something in the film's extras cleared up that confusion. Somehow they should have adjusted the light, or had a sound insert of attacking planes put in just before the Japanese plane blew up. BTW, the plane was a model Zero, not full-sized.

[dresX94]

I always have chills when I watch this movie

[sunnyanemone]

Did he really sing this or did they dub?

[andyrjs]

@sunnyanemone

Dubbed. An English choir boy called James Rainbird sang the track used in the film but fair play to Christian Bale, he did a great job singing in time to it - the version he does at the beginning of the film in church you would never guess it was dubbed.

[sunnyanemone]

@andyrjs Oh - Thanks for the info... It did look like he was singing - i was convinced ( though i was amazed the voice was so true and seemed so controlled/well trained.) Kudos to the both : Bale and Rainbird.

[samsoniite]

People be of no illusion when declaring 'there is no good and evil' and similar, dangerous sentiments. The conduct of Japan during the war was disgraceful. Evil even. And although, as in any war, there are good men who conducted themselves well, there is no denying that it was an unjust war fought in a most unjust way and we must not forget this.

[MacGyverBurger]

does anybody know if this is christian bale him self who sings?

[antelectric]

@MacGyverBurger ,

if you look Suo Gan on wikipedia , it says Christian lip syncs it. Even so, his performance in this film is outstanding

[MacGyverBurger]

@antelectric Yes it is. Thank you for your reply.

[baghend]

Poignant, touching. Movie genius, classic story. James Rainbirds stunningly beautiful voice, in a song that brings a tear always. Memorable performances by Bale and the whole cast.

[geoffybellofiore]

why'd the plane suddenly explode?

[SandworMish]

@geoffybellofiore

It was "Kamikaze" plane, it was filled with explosives. Sometimes they exploded by themselves. Further on this scene in film you can see american fighters attacked this airfield.

[SandworMish]

@geoffybellofiore

It was "Kamikaze" plane, it was filled with explosives. Sometimes they exploded by themselves. Further on this scene in film you can see american fighters attacked this airfield. By the way - to this moment i thought Suo Gan it was some japanese song :D

[malefrmbk]

one day people are going to realize all around the world that war and hate was just a waste of time it seems like the smarter man became the more deadly man has become poor world poor us ...I hope god forgives us for our stupidity ...

[MAVsince1991]

@malefrmbk there is no god, just stupidity