
Emperor
2012 · Movie · PG-13 · 105 min · ★ 6.2 · 40% critics
In the chaos after WWII, an American general is tasked with deciding whether the Japanese emperor should face execution as a war criminal. As the investigation unfolds, he also searches for a connection from his past, adding personal stakes to a politically charged moral choice.
Also known as L'empereur
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Details
- Years
- 2012
- Release date
- 2012-09-14
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 40/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (283 votes)
About
You’ll likely like Emperor if you enjoy post-war history with moral tension and emotionally driven drama; Not for you if you want fast action or a story focused only on courtroom-style answers, since the film also leans into the romance subplot alongside films like The Iron Lady.
Pros: thoughtful justice debate; compelling history; strong performances | Cons: distracting sidetracks; some romance detracts; occasionally confusing pacing
Themes
- atomic bomb
- emperor
- based on true story
- japanese surrender
- us military
- 1940s
- general douglas macarthur
- hirohito
Cast & crew

Matthew Fox
as General Bonner Fellers

Tommy Lee Jones
as General Douglas MacArthur

Eriko Hatsune
as Aya Shimada

Masayoshi Haneda
as Takahashi

Kaori Momoi
as Mitsuko Kajima

Toshiyuki Nishida
as General Kajima

Colin Moy
as General Richter

Masatô Ibu
as Koichi Kido

Isao Natsuyagi
as Teizaburo Sekiya

Takatarô Kataoka
as Emperor Hirohito
Directed by Peter Webber