Rating:  - Just a word of caution
I own this movie and I enjoy watching it. But I think that potential buyers should know that there are NO SUBTITLES. The prisoners speak English, and the guards speak Japanesse. The body language is eloquent and the acting well done. But you have to guess/surmise at what is being said by the japanesse soldiers. I suppose it adds to the air of the film. But I would truely love to find a version with english subtitles.
postscript: I ended up buying a foreign version of the DVD which did indeed have English subscripts. It made all the difference and I love this movie even more than I did before.
Rating: - THE RISE AND FALL OF MAJOR JACK AND CAPTAIN YONOI
Directed by Nagisa Oshima in 1983, MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE is the first movie of the japanese director after the international recognition of IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (1976) and IN THE REALM OF PASSION (1978). It's not a war movie but rather a psychological study, set in a prisoner camp during WWII, of the cultural differences between europeans and japanese.
As usual in movies and in life, the most interesting characters are not the most intolerant ones played by David Bowie, Ryuichi Sakamoto or Jack Thompson but those more human impersonated by Takeshi Kitano, the future brilliant director of SONATINE, and by the pragmatic Tom Conti who has the difficult task to be the spokesman of his fellow prisoners.
Although I've appreciated a lot this movie, I consider the David Bowie flashback that explains his final redemptive behaviour as ridiculous. Furthermore, this segment breaks the rythm of a nearly perfect film, if it wasn't for this scene. Too bad.
Please note that I've seen MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE on a zone 2 DVD found at amazon.fr in France. French subtitles (of the english and japanese dialogs), a trailer and filmographies. Sound and images OK.
A movie zone severe hang-ups.
Rating:  - Bowie's Best Film & Sakamoto's Shining Hour
This is probably the most stylish and progressive war film you'll ever see.
A strange sense of Zen permeates the air in WW2 as we see the Japanese in Batavia, trying to control their POW camp. And on the other side, a band of Allied soldiers try to maintain their sense of dignity and survive the dreadful conditions of the war.
When two men arrive - the whole world changes. Bowie brings with him an air of an Intrepid Adventurer meets Peter Pan...while Sakamoto is a revisionist Samurai.
Throw in Nagisa Oshima's direction and the book on which this is based on becomes a contemporary retelling of a war fable.
The movie could perhaps not have been better cast. Adding to the naturalism of the film are the heartfelt and understated performances of Tom Conti, Bowie, Sakamoto and Beat Takashi who are in superb form, along with the supporting cast.
Particularly, Bowie and Sakamoto bring in a strange, eclectic energy into the piece. Inspired casting for sure which adds to the haiku like quality of the film.
Other reasons to watch this:
Ryuichi Sakamoto's soundtrack is excellent and a must-have. The signature tune burns in movie history.
Fans of Japanese films will see Beat Takashi here, aka Takashi Kitano...of Violent Cop fame.
They don't make movies like this one anymore. This should be on DVD.
Rating: - merry cristmas mr. lawrence
a heart breaking movie that shows the inhumanity and yet the respect and love for one another.The courage to be free the courage to do what's right.
Rating: - Great movie.
The novel question was, could David Bowie act? The answer is a resounding "yes". The movie and its plot are quite gripping, with a true good-vs-evil struggle set in a Japanese WWII prisoner of war camp. Bravo, Mr. Bowie!
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