Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Original title)Senjo No Merry Christmas (Alternative title)Happy Christmas Mr Lawrence (Alternative title)Senjou No Merii Kurisumasu (Alternative title)Furyo (Alternative title)Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Help search title)
Dates: 1982 (Copyright), 25 August 1983 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, Japan, New ZealandDirected by: Nagisa Oshima
Synopsis: Drama set in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War exploring the human and inhuman aspects of the clash between two very different cultures. British officer John Lawrence bears witness to the rebellion of South African prisoner Jack Celliers and the strange and unspoken bond he forms with the camp commander, Captain Yonoi.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Far East campaign, Prisoners of war
Releases
Date: 25 August 1983Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Eastmancolor - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 124 mins Length: 11160 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: 25 August 1983Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 122 mins 51 secs - Length: 11160 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Palace Pictures
Date: 16 June 1986Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 117 mins 59 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Palace Video
Date: 07 September 1998Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 117 mins 59 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Second Sight Films
Date: 27 August 2004Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) - Colour - SoundRuntime: 118 mins 40 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Optimum Releasing
Title: Le cinéma et moiAuthor: MAGRIS, Claudio Article type: ArticleLanguage: French
Description: Italian writer Claudio Magris reflects on some of his favourites films: Oshima's MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE and Rosi's SALVATORE GIULIANO.
In: Asian Cinema v18 n2 Aut/Win 2007 Pages: 281-287
Title: The Moth in Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceAuthor: RASKIN, Richard Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Analytical article looking at the final scene in the film when a moth alighting on the head of Jack Celliers' was purely accidental but 'fortuitous'.
In: Empire n188 February 2005 Page: 150
Title: RWDAuthor: SMITH, Adam Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Film Review vSpec. n41 Combat Page: [whole issue]
Title: Combat specialArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Special issue on the depiction of war in films, focusing on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, PLATOON, KELLY'S HEROES, WINDTALKERS, surveying the top 40 modern war films, top 10 POW films and 10 worst war films of all time,
In: Film Review n597 September 2000 Page: 51
Title: Merry Christmas, Mr LawrenceAuthor: RUSSELL, Gary Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Short DVD review.
In: Empire n135 September 2000 Page: 112
Title: DVDAuthor: [SB] Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n8 August 2000 Page: 62
Title: DVDArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Wide Angle v9 n2 1987 Pages: 47-59
Title: Criminality, eroticism and OshimaAuthor: KNEE, Adam Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Analysis of Oshima's films which suggest that in order to attain personal freedom one must break free of society (with sexual and/or political repercussions).In doing so one can be criminalised. Looks mainly at MERRY CHRISTMAS MR.LAWRENCE
In: Bianco e Nero v47 n2 Apr/Jun 1986 Pages: 107-110
Title: [Bianco e Nero - v47 n2 Apr/Jun 1986: no known title]Language: Italian
In: Filmfaust n37 Jan/Feb 1984 Pages: 29-30
Title: [Filmfaust - n37 Jan/Feb 1984: no known title]Language: German
In: Film Quarterly v37 n3 Spring 1984 Pages: Spring 43-47
Title: [Film Quarterly - v37 n3 Spring 1984: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 25 May 1983 Page: 19
Title: [Variety - 25 May 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Films v3 n9 August 1983 Page: 33
Title: [Films - v3 n9 August 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Product Digest v11 n6 14 Sep 1983 Page: 21,23
Title: [Motion Picture Product Digest - v11 n6 14 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Retro n22 December 1983 Page: 20
Title: [Retro - n22 December 1983: no known title]Language: German
In: Screen International n410 3 Sep 1983 Page: 9
Title: [Screen International - n410 3 Sep 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Oshima, Bowie and report on marketing campaign.
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983 Pages: 19-20
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Télérama n1741 25 May 1983 Pages: 34-35
Title: [Télérama - n1741 25 May 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Interview with director.
In: Time Out n678 18 Aug 1983 Pages: 12-15
Title: [Time Out - n678 18 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
Description: Profiles of Oshima, Sakamoto and Takeshi.
In: American Film v8 n10 September 1983 Pages: 26-32
Title: [American Film - v8 n10 September 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Comment on film, interviews with Oshima and Bowie.
In: The Hollywood Reporter v278 n19 26 Aug 1983 Page: 3,10
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v278 n19 26 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Cahiers du Cinéma n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983 Pages: 19-22
Title: [Cahiers du Cinéma - n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Cahiers du Cinéma n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983 Pages: 23-26
Title: [Cahiers du Cinéma - n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Interview with director.
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v50 n592 May 1983 Pages: 121-122
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v50 n592 May 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v50 n592 May 1983 Pages: 123-124
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v50 n592 May 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Paul Mayersberg on the Eastern and Western influences inthe film.
In: Films and Filming n347 August 1983 Pages: 29-30
Title: [Films and Filming - n347 August 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Time Out n679 25 Aug 1983 Page: 25
Title: [Time Out - n679 25 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n411 10 Sep 1983 Page: 15
Title: [Screen International - n411 10 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Positif n268 June 1983 Pages: 52-54
Title: [Positif - n268 June 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Film Directions v6 n21 1983 Pages: 4-5
Title: [Film Directions - v6 n21 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Short interview with director.
In: Film Directions v6 n21 1983 Pages: 8-11
Title: [Film Directions - v6 n21 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: City Limits n99 26 Aug 1983 Page: 22
Title: [City Limits - n99 26 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Stills n7 Jul-Aug 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [Stills - n7 Jul-Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Stills n7 Jul-Aug 1983 Pages: 21-23
Title: [Stills - n7 Jul-Aug 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with director.
In: Cinématographe n90 June 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [Cinématographe - n90 June 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Screen International n359 4 Sep 1982 Page: 13
Title: [Screen International - n359 4 Sep 1982: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Sight and Sound v52 n1 Winter 1982/83 Page: Winter 6
Title: [Sight and Sound - v52 n1 Winter 1982/83: no known title]Language: English
Description: Brief report.
In: Screen International n358 28 Aug 1982 Page: 1
Title: [Screen International - n358 28 Aug 1982: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note.
Author: Dixon, Ian Pages: xxvi, 308 pages
Description: The book also includes a chapter on the stage play Lazarus.
Title: films of Oshima Nagisa: images of a Japanese iconoclast
Author: TURIM, Maureen Cheryn Pages: ix-x, 314p.
Dates: 1982 (Copyright), 25 August 1983 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, Japan, New ZealandDirected by: Nagisa Oshima
Synopsis: Drama set in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War exploring the human and inhuman aspects of the clash between two very different cultures. British officer John Lawrence bears witness to the rebellion of South African prisoner Jack Celliers and the strange and unspoken bond he forms with the camp commander, Captain Yonoi.
Genre: War
Subjects: World War II, Far East campaign, Prisoners of war
Releases
Date: 25 August 1983Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Eastmancolor - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 124 mins Length: 11160 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: 25 August 1983Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 122 mins 51 secs - Length: 11160 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Palace Pictures
Date: 16 June 1986Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 117 mins 59 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Palace Video
Date: 07 September 1998Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 117 mins 59 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Second Sight Films
Date: 27 August 2004Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) - Colour - SoundRuntime: 118 mins 40 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Optimum Releasing
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(40)
In: Positif n577 March 2009 Pages: 58-60Title: Le cinéma et moiAuthor: MAGRIS, Claudio Article type: ArticleLanguage: French
Description: Italian writer Claudio Magris reflects on some of his favourites films: Oshima's MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE and Rosi's SALVATORE GIULIANO.
In: Asian Cinema v18 n2 Aut/Win 2007 Pages: 281-287
Title: The Moth in Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceAuthor: RASKIN, Richard Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Analytical article looking at the final scene in the film when a moth alighting on the head of Jack Celliers' was purely accidental but 'fortuitous'.
In: Empire n188 February 2005 Page: 150
Title: RWDAuthor: SMITH, Adam Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Film Review vSpec. n41 Combat Page: [whole issue]
Title: Combat specialArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Special issue on the depiction of war in films, focusing on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, PLATOON, KELLY'S HEROES, WINDTALKERS, surveying the top 40 modern war films, top 10 POW films and 10 worst war films of all time,
In: Film Review n597 September 2000 Page: 51
Title: Merry Christmas, Mr LawrenceAuthor: RUSSELL, Gary Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Short DVD review.
In: Empire n135 September 2000 Page: 112
Title: DVDAuthor: [SB] Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n8 August 2000 Page: 62
Title: DVDArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Wide Angle v9 n2 1987 Pages: 47-59
Title: Criminality, eroticism and OshimaAuthor: KNEE, Adam Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Analysis of Oshima's films which suggest that in order to attain personal freedom one must break free of society (with sexual and/or political repercussions).In doing so one can be criminalised. Looks mainly at MERRY CHRISTMAS MR.LAWRENCE
In: Bianco e Nero v47 n2 Apr/Jun 1986 Pages: 107-110
Title: [Bianco e Nero - v47 n2 Apr/Jun 1986: no known title]Language: Italian
In: Filmfaust n37 Jan/Feb 1984 Pages: 29-30
Title: [Filmfaust - n37 Jan/Feb 1984: no known title]Language: German
In: Film Quarterly v37 n3 Spring 1984 Pages: Spring 43-47
Title: [Film Quarterly - v37 n3 Spring 1984: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 25 May 1983 Page: 19
Title: [Variety - 25 May 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Films v3 n9 August 1983 Page: 33
Title: [Films - v3 n9 August 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Motion Picture Product Digest v11 n6 14 Sep 1983 Page: 21,23
Title: [Motion Picture Product Digest - v11 n6 14 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Retro n22 December 1983 Page: 20
Title: [Retro - n22 December 1983: no known title]Language: German
In: Screen International n410 3 Sep 1983 Page: 9
Title: [Screen International - n410 3 Sep 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Oshima, Bowie and report on marketing campaign.
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983 Pages: 19-20
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Télérama n1741 25 May 1983 Pages: 34-35
Title: [Télérama - n1741 25 May 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son n385 Jul/Aug 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [ La Revue du Cinéma/Image et Son - n385 Jul/Aug 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Interview with director.
In: Time Out n678 18 Aug 1983 Pages: 12-15
Title: [Time Out - n678 18 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
Description: Profiles of Oshima, Sakamoto and Takeshi.
In: American Film v8 n10 September 1983 Pages: 26-32
Title: [American Film - v8 n10 September 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Comment on film, interviews with Oshima and Bowie.
In: The Hollywood Reporter v278 n19 26 Aug 1983 Page: 3,10
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v278 n19 26 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Cahiers du Cinéma n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983 Pages: 19-22
Title: [Cahiers du Cinéma - n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Cahiers du Cinéma n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983 Pages: 23-26
Title: [Cahiers du Cinéma - n348/349 Jun/Jul 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Interview with director.
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v50 n592 May 1983 Pages: 121-122
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v50 n592 May 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v50 n592 May 1983 Pages: 123-124
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v50 n592 May 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Paul Mayersberg on the Eastern and Western influences inthe film.
In: Films and Filming n347 August 1983 Pages: 29-30
Title: [Films and Filming - n347 August 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Time Out n679 25 Aug 1983 Page: 25
Title: [Time Out - n679 25 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n411 10 Sep 1983 Page: 15
Title: [Screen International - n411 10 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Positif n268 June 1983 Pages: 52-54
Title: [Positif - n268 June 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Film Directions v6 n21 1983 Pages: 4-5
Title: [Film Directions - v6 n21 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Short interview with director.
In: Film Directions v6 n21 1983 Pages: 8-11
Title: [Film Directions - v6 n21 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: City Limits n99 26 Aug 1983 Page: 22
Title: [City Limits - n99 26 Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Stills n7 Jul-Aug 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [Stills - n7 Jul-Aug 1983: no known title]Language: English
In: Stills n7 Jul-Aug 1983 Pages: 21-23
Title: [Stills - n7 Jul-Aug 1983: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with director.
In: Cinématographe n90 June 1983 Pages: 20-21
Title: [Cinématographe - n90 June 1983: no known title]Language: French
In: Screen International n359 4 Sep 1982 Page: 13
Title: [Screen International - n359 4 Sep 1982: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Sight and Sound v52 n1 Winter 1982/83 Page: Winter 6
Title: [Sight and Sound - v52 n1 Winter 1982/83: no known title]Language: English
Description: Brief report.
In: Screen International n358 28 Aug 1982 Page: 1
Title: [Screen International - n358 28 Aug 1982: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note.
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(2)
Title: I'm not a film star: David Bowie as actorAuthor: Dixon, Ian Pages: xxvi, 308 pages
Description: The book also includes a chapter on the stage play Lazarus.
Title: films of Oshima Nagisa: images of a Japanese iconoclast
Author: TURIM, Maureen Cheryn Pages: ix-x, 314p.