The Last Emperor (1987)

Visionary filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (1987) tells the epic saga of Pu Yi, China's final imperial monarch. First ascending to the throne at age three, Pu Yi (played as an adult by John Lone) never wields any real power, is overthrown by Mao's communist revolution, and is sent to a reeducation camp, where he is transformed from revered figurehead of the largest nation on earth into a humble Peking gardener. The movie recreates this amazing true story with sumptuous detail and was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture. Watch for a sexy turn by Joan Chen as the last, hottest empress and a nice shot of adorable Jade Go offering her Golden Globe to the lucky little emperor.