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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Java, 1942 — A clash of cultures, a test of the human spirit.

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.

DramaHistoryWar

Release: 1983-05-28Runtime: 124 minRating: 7.28 (514)

Cast

David Bowie

David Bowie

Celliers

Tom Conti

Tom Conti

Lawrence

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Yonoi

Takeshi Kitano

Takeshi Kitano

Hara

Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson

Hicksley

Johnny Ohkura

Johnny Ohkura

Kanemoto

Alistair Browning

Alistair Browning

De Jong

James Malcolm

Celliers' Brother

Chris Broun

Celliers (12 Years)

Yuya Uchida

Yuya Uchida

Commandant of Military Prison

Crew

Nagisa Ōshima

Nagisa Ōshima

Screenplay

Paul Mayersberg

Screenplay

Eiko Oshima

Executive Producer

Terry Glinwood

Executive Producer

Jeremy Thomas

Jeremy Thomas

Producer

Nagisa Ōshima

Nagisa Ōshima

Director

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Original Music Composer

Laurens van der Post

Laurens van der Post

Novel

Geoffrey Nethercott

Executive Producer

Tomoyo Oshima

Tomoyo Oshima

Editor

Clips & Videos

Was David Bowie a queer love object?

Was David Bowie a queer love object?

David Bowie & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Gods & Rockstars

David Bowie & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Gods & Rockstars

Nobody had heard of Beat Takeshi at the time

Nobody had heard of Beat Takeshi at the time

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983) Original Trailer

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983) Original Trailer

Mark Kermode reviews Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1982) | BFI Player

Mark Kermode reviews Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1982) | BFI Player