Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence sad?

Yes, very. More sad than 96% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Does Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence end with hope?

Barely. Less hopeful than 80% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence scary?

Yes. More frightening than 76% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence violent?

Somewhat. More violent than 68% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence easy watching?

Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Name: Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: 1983
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 7.3
Cast: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson

Java, 1942 — A clash of cultures, a test of the human spirit.

Directed by Nagisa Ōshima

Produced by Recorded Picture Company, National Film Trustee Company

1983124 min7.3 / 10

A meditative, morally complex war drama exploring the collision between two men of honor from opposing cultures within the dehumanizing confines of a Japanese prison camp.

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.

Where to watch

StreamYouTube TV, The Criterion Channel
AdsYouTube, Plex, Tubi TV, Shout! Factory

Questions people ask

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of films.
Does Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 80% of films.
Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence scary? Yes. More frightening than 76% of films.
Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence violent? Somewhat. More violent than 68% of films.
Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

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