Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

1983 · 2h04 · Film

Directed by Nagisa Ōshima

Starring David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson, Johnny Ohkura, Alistair Browning, James Malcolm, Chris Broun, Yuya Uchida

Ideal when you feel… Angry Sad / low Nostalgic

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.

Original title

戦場のメリークリスマス

Original language

Japanese

Country

Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom

Screenplay

Nagisa Ōshima, Paul Mayersberg

Music

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Cinematography

Tōichirō Narushima

Cast

Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson, Johnny Ohkura, Alistair Browning, James Malcolm, Chris Broun, Yuya Uchida

Updated August 14, 2026

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