Sign in
Trailer

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

1983Movie2 h 4 minR

DramaHistory
71
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic536.9Rotten Tomatoes86%78%

A moving, slow-burning drama movie about history and war, with standout performances and score.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

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.

Feels like

  • World War II Drama
  • Psychological Tension
  • Cultural Clash
  • Captivity and Freedom
  • Complex Characters
  • Emotional Restraint
  • Atmospheric Score
  • Japanese Prison Camp
  • Existential Themes

Cast

22 of 22

Crew

Directed by
Nagisa Ōshima
Written by
Nagisa Ōshima, Paul Mayersberg, Laurens van der Post
Produced by
Jeremy Thomas
Music by
Ryuichi Sakamoto

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 28, 1983 · 2 h 4 min · R

Released
May 28, 1983
Runtime
2 h 4 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, History, War
Original language
Japanese
Also spoken
English
Made in
Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom
Box office
$2 million
Available in
28 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Odd Friendship, Stalking is Love, Beware the Nice Ones +9

  • Odd Friendship
  • Stalking is Love
  • Beware the Nice Ones
  • Deliberate Values Dissonance
  • Death Row
  • Everybody Cries
  • Eating the Eye Candy
  • Hollywood Tone-Deaf
  • P.O.W. Abuse
  • Tall, Dark, and Handsome
  • Love at First Sight
  • Trying Not to Cry

12 of 61 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?"

Questions about Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?

YouTube TVShout! Factory TVPlexTubi TV

In the United States, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence streams on YouTube TV, and it is free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, Plex, and Tubi TV. It also streams in 17 other countries.

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 53).

Can I half-watch Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for philosophical.

Will I feel good after watching Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 7 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence in English?

JapaneseEnglish

No, it was made in Japanese, with some English.

What tropes does Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence use?

Odd FriendshipStalking is LoveBeware the Nice OnesDeliberate Values DissonanceDeath RowEverybody CriesEating the Eye CandyHollywood Tone-DeafP.O.W. AbuseTall, Dark, and HandsomeLove at First SightTrying Not to Cryand 49 more

TV Tropes lists 61 tropes for it, including Odd Friendship, Stalking is Love, and Beware the Nice Ones.