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Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence Reviews

1982

70
from 1440 members

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was the first English-language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima (Death by Hanging, In the Realm of the Senses). In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality, Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie and camp commandant Ryuichi .. Read more

Starring	David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamato
Director	Nagisa Oshima
Genres	Drama

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Most helpful member's review of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
View all members' reviews (14)
- - 10
  - 0
  Brutal and beautiful
  
  Very few movies depict the vast chasm between two cultures with respect, but this is one of the few that pulls it off. Set near the end of WW2, this movie ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 128611
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Annie D
  - London, England
  - 28 Jul 2005 at 15:46
Most recent members' reviews of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
View all members' reviews (14)
- - 0
  - 0
  Brutal, yet haunting - a must see film
  
  I first watched this film in my first year at uni (1983), 28 years later it still had the same impact, in spite of the dated cinematography. A superb film, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1090989
- - Turquoiselady
  - 15 reviews
  - 10 Feb 2012 at 22:25
- - 0
  - 0
  Worth seeing (again).
  
  Watched this again after many years having just seen Sakamoto in concert at the RFH in London a few weeks ago. The film still stands as a battle between two ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1069152
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - jules56
  - 6 reviews
  - Richmond
  - 01 Dec 2011 at 10:04
- - 0
  - 2
  Lets sing on a song for the rain forest David, on this mahogany piano.
  
  Didnt get it really...sorry. I mean, I didnt see its point. Bowie is some messiah like figure at the Japenese POW camp, that you are expecting to deliver some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1026862
- - Rottertron
  - 31 reviews
  - Hockley, Essex
  - 08 Aug 2011 at 18:32
- - 0
  - 1
  Ziggy goes camping
  
  I saw this film when it was released and thought it rather good. Some things change, some things stay the same and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence has lost its ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 948417
- - HDX
  - 124 reviews
  - Barry, Wales
  - 21 Dec 2010 at 21:21
- - 0
  - 2
  Definitely a no!
  
  I tried to understand (literally, 'cause there are no subtitles and the sound is really bad), concentrate, make sense - I fell asleep, read the paper, got a... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 918992
- - a customer
  - Redhill
  - 29 Aug 2010 at 14:36
- - 1
  - 0
  Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
  
  This film will never lose its brilliance; the whole plot is simple but very effective. The depth and spirituality is captivating. It is tremendously moving and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 898143
- - nchawker
  - 29 reviews
  - Bournemouth
  - 12 Jun 2010 at 12:57
- - 1
  - 0
  Beautiful!
  
  A very beautiful, moving film which I have seen several times and always find enjoyable and mesmerizing. David Bowie is stunning and the music by R Sakamoto is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 800059
- - a customer
  - Melksham
  - 19 Aug 2009 at 10:12
- - 4
  - 0
  Christ and the Samauri
  
  Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence is one of those films that has been charged with being pretentious. Yet there are many who simply love it.
  
  Is it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 669679
- - a customer
  - Carlisle, England
  - 06 Dec 2008 at 23:10
- - 5
  - 9
  Rubbish
  
  A film starring two eighties pop stars. That just about sums it up. I did feel I should watch it before judging it and I can confirm, it is garbage. No story ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 400585
- - Lovely Man From Enfield
  - Ealing
  - 09 Jan 2007 at 23:02
- - 1
  - 0
  A pleasant surprise
  
  This is a really thought-provoking film that is well acted and contains, imo, one of the best film scores ever. Recommended.
  
  Report this review
- 190166
- - a customer
  - Belfast
  - 05 Jan 2006 at 12:53
View all members' reviews (14)

- - 10
  - 0
  Brutal and beautiful
  
  Very few movies depict the vast chasm between two cultures with respect, but this is one of the few that pulls it off. Set near the end of WW2, this movie ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 128611
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Annie D
  - London, England
  - 28 Jul 2005 at 15:46
- - 4
  - 0
  Christ and the Samauri
  
  Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence is one of those films that has been charged with being pretentious. Yet there are many who simply love it.
  
  Is it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 669679
- - a customer
  - Carlisle, England
  - 06 Dec 2008 at 23:10
- - 4
  - 1
  very much a male film
  
  Not the film I expected but extremely good nevertheless. Once again shows man's inhumanity to man sheltering behind the orders of those from above. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 73024
- - a customer
  - Edinburgh, Scotland
  - 16 Feb 2005 at 14:08
- - 3
  - 0
  Moving, Haunting, Brilliant!
  
  Impeccable acting from the entire cast, a gripping WWII POW storyline, a moving tale of two cultures colliding and a haunting soundtrack. This film is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 160029
- - mattrichards
  - 46 reviews
  - Wolverhampton, England
  - 12 Oct 2005 at 10:22
- - 1
  - 0
  A pleasant surprise
  
  This is a really thought-provoking film that is well acted and contains, imo, one of the best film scores ever. Recommended.
  
  Report this review
- 190166
- - a customer
  - Belfast
  - 05 Jan 2006 at 12:53
- - 1
  - 0
  Beautiful!
  
  A very beautiful, moving film which I have seen several times and always find enjoyable and mesmerizing. David Bowie is stunning and the music by R Sakamoto is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 800059
- - a customer
  - Melksham
  - 19 Aug 2009 at 10:12
- - 1
  - 0
  Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
  
  This film will never lose its brilliance; the whole plot is simple but very effective. The depth and spirituality is captivating. It is tremendously moving and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 898143
- - nchawker
  - 29 reviews
  - Bournemouth
  - 12 Jun 2010 at 12:57
- - 0
  - 0
  Worth seeing (again).
  
  Watched this again after many years having just seen Sakamoto in concert at the RFH in London a few weeks ago. The film still stands as a battle between two ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1069152
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - jules56
  - 6 reviews
  - Richmond
  - 01 Dec 2011 at 10:04
- - 0
  - 0
  Brutal, yet haunting - a must see film
  
  I first watched this film in my first year at uni (1983), 28 years later it still had the same impact, in spite of the dated cinematography. A superb film, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1090989
- - Turquoiselady
  - 15 reviews
  - 10 Feb 2012 at 22:25
- - 0
  - 1
  Ziggy goes camping
  
  I saw this film when it was released and thought it rather good. Some things change, some things stay the same and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence has lost its ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 948417
- - HDX
  - 124 reviews
  - Barry, Wales
  - 21 Dec 2010 at 21:21

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - Blu-ray
  
  Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was the first English-language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima (Death by Hanging, In the Realm of the Senses). In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality, Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie ...

- - Buy
- Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
  
  Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was the first English-language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima (Death by Hanging, In the Realm of the Senses). In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality, Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie ...