Now weighing in at an imperial four hours, Bertolucci's sweeping story of a man who ended up a gardener after ruling half the world's population still grabs the attention.

One of the biggest and most ambitious films of the era and filmed almost entirely on location in China, it still provides a tantalising glimpse of life behind the bamboo curtain.

It traces the young emperor's life from 1908 to his experience in less exalted circumstances at the dawn of the repressive post-war Cultural Revolution and the end of 3,000 years of imperial rule.

Four actors essay the emperor Pu Yi from three years old to adulthood, culminating in his exile from the Forbidden City and his floundering in the world of international politics.

However, the bulk of the new footage focuses not on the emperor, but on his entourage - his adored wet nurse, esteemed tutors and loyal valet.

With scenes detailing their personal lives, these secondary characters take on a depth that was found wanting in the 1987 original.

Because the character of Pu Yi was never fully rounded, this extra footage serves to underline his superficiality and abundant lack of self-worth.

As a result, this new cut merely adds to the perspective of the original without adding anything new or altering the thrust as Ridley Scott did so controversially with Blade Runner.

It's good to see the likes of Peter O'Toole in his glorious pomp, slotting quite nicely into the tricky hierarchy of the Forbidden City as only a British ex-public schoolboy could.

However, once you've left the visually rich world of life behind closed doors - 9,000 costumes clothing 19,000 extras - the dry political melodrama is a distinct anti-climax.

Tim Evans