

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
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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7.3/10
551 votes
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- $2.3M
- Language
- English
- based on novel or book
- war crimes
- world war ii
- prisoner of war
- pacific war
- court martial
- prison camp
- meditative
- 1940s
- java, indonesia
- depressing
- complicated
Top billed cast















Behind the camera
Director
Writers
Music
Produced in
Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
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Release dates
United StatesUS
- TheatricalRNew York City, New York26 Aug 1983
- TheatricalR2 Sept 1983
United KingdomGB
- Theatrical1525 Aug 1983
AustraliaAU
- TheatricalM22 Sept 1983
BelgiumBE
- TheatricalGent8 Sept 1983
BrazilBR
- Theatrical21 Sept 1984
CzechiaCZ
- TVČT213 May 2004
DenmarkDK
- Theatrical1517 Jun 1983
FinlandFI
- TheatricalK-1814 Oct 1983
FranceFR
- PremiereCannes Film Festival11 May 1983
- TheatricalU1 Jun 1983
GermanyDE
- Theatrical162 Dec 1983
IrelandIE
- Theatrical15A9 Dec 1983
ItalyIT
- TheatricalVM144 Feb 1984
Frequently asked questions
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was released on 28 May 1983.
Audience reviews
1- C7/10
CinemaSerf
4/14/2022
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" (Takesh…
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