The Last Emperor15

Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci | China | 1987 | 2h 43m | Starring John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole, Ruocheng Ying, Victor Wong

Sweeping historical epic about the life of Chinese Emperor Pu Yi, who took the throne at age three, in 1908, before witnessing decades of cultural and political upheaval, within and without the walls of the Forbidden City. Recreating Ching dynasty China with astonishing detail and unparalleled craftsmanship, the film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score for composers Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su.

Classic Season: Sakamoto / Vangelis / Badalamenti

Reviews

‘There’s no doubting its spectacular richness and heartfelt, deeply satisfying storytelling.’
★★★★★
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘One of the most visually arresting pictures of recent years.’
★★★★
David Parkinson, Radio Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Last Emperor between June 4, 2023 and June 4, 2023.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 10th December)
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15:30

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Descriptive Subtitles
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

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18:00

Deprisa, Deprisa 18
1h 40m | Spanish w/ English subtitles
Season: Cinema Rediscovered 2025
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20:30

The Running Man 15
2h 13m
In a brutal, televised bloodsport, fugitives are hunted by elite killers for nationwide entertainment. To save his dying daughter, Ben enters the arena, and becomes an electrifying symbol of rebellion. Edgar Wright unleashes pulse-pounding action as Glen Powell explodes in Stephen King’s fiercely dystopian thrill ride.

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Thursday 11th December
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12:30

The Choral 12A
Parent + Baby screening
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

Book here

Find out more

15:30

The Thing with Feathers 15
1h 44m
A grieving father’s reality fractures after his wife’s sudden death, and finds himself haunted by a giant talking crow. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a riveting performance in this lyrical, surreal adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel exploring love and grief.

Book here

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18:00

The Choral 12A
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

Book here

Find out more

20:30

The Thing with Feathers 15
1h 44m
A grieving father’s reality fractures after his wife’s sudden death, and finds himself haunted by a giant talking crow. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a riveting performance in this lyrical, surreal adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel exploring love and grief.

Book here


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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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