Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence poster
7.3/10 1983 2h 4m Released

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.

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Top 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
James Malcolm
Celliers' Brother
Chris Broun
Chris Broun
Celliers (12 Years)
Yuya Uchida
Yuya Uchida
Commandant of Military Prison
Ryūnosuke Kaneda
Ryūnosuke Kaneda
President of the Court
Takashi Naito
Takashi Naito
Lieutenant Iwata
Tamio Ishikura
Tamio Ishikura
Prosecutor
Rokkō Toura
Rokkō Toura
Interpreter
Kan Mikami
Kan Mikami
Lieutenant Itō
Yūji Honma
Yūji Honma
PFC Yajima

Reviews

CinemaSerf 7/10

This offers a really poignant look at what we might describe as mutual insanity. "Maj. Celliers" (David Bowie) is convicted by the occupying Japanese on the island of Java on citing rebellion. With hindsight, perhaps he would rather not have been, but he is spared the firing squad and sent to the POW camp of "Col Yonoi" (Ryuichi Sakamoto) who leaves much of the day to day brutality to his henchman "Sgt. Hara"…

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FAQ about Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

What is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence about?
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…
When was Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence released?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was released in 1983.
What genres does Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence belong to?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is categorised as Drama, History, War.
Who stars in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?
The cast of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence includes David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson.