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 Happy

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.

Updated August 14, 2026

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