were we suppose to feel sympathy for the emperor ?

Interesting question. I saw the film, and read the ex-emperor's autobiography and another book or two about him, and I still have mixed feelings on the subject. Yes, I have to have a little pity for someone who was born into the life of a political puppet and never escaped that role, but he wasn't a good or likeable person.

And that sort of ambivalence rarely works on film. A good film isnt just a lovingly photographed record of historical events, a good film is one that evokes strong feelings, and for all it's good points this film doesn't do that.

You should feel sympathy for anyone that is wrongly accused.

However, the movie doesn't seem to make that suggestion one way or another. It's just the story of the last emperor of China. It's kind of a take it or leave it situation. I don't think it favors any side per se.

I think we're supposed to sympathize with him not as the Emperor, but merely as another human being with desires, emotions, etc. Pu Yi is born a spoiled brat, with everyone in the Forbidden City telling him how great and powerful he is. But you can imagine his frustration that at the same time, he's not even allowed to go past his own front door to see his mother.

And then the prison governer teaches him a lesson in humility. We're supposed to be glad he realizes his own past mistakes, but also feel somewhat sad that the last of an ancient civilization's monarchs met such an anti-climactic end, like so many at the hands of the communists.