The Canon / Parallax Editorial Archive
Curated by Pedro Neves, Founder of Parallax
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Directed by Nagisa Oshima
1983•2h 4m•R•★ 7.3
Drama / War
Synopsis
In a sweltering 1942 Japanese POW camp in Java, a complex clash of martial honor, repressed desires, and cross-cultural communication unfolds between a rebellious British major, the camp commandant obsessed with bushido, a bilingual British officer, and a brutal sergeant with a heart of gold. Nagisa Oshima's Cannes-competing war masterpiece starring David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto (BAFTA-winning score), and Takeshi Kitano.
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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
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Director Spotlight
Cinematic Profile
Nagisa Oshima
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Cast & Crew
DirectorNagisa Ōshima
WriterNagisa ŌshimaPaul Mayersberg
CinematographyTōichirō Narushima
MusicRyuichi Sakamoto
Principal Cast
David BowieCelliers
Tom ContiLawrence
Ryuichi SakamotoYonoi
Takeshi KitanoHara
Jack ThompsonHicksley
Johnny OhkuraKanemoto
Alistair BrowningDe Jong
JM
James MalcolmCelliers' BrotherTechnical Specifications
Runtime2h 4m (124 mins)
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Not Yet Collected
Production Details
DirectorNagisa Oshima
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese
CountryJP, GB
StudioRecorded Picture Company • Oshima Productions
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