Capt. Yonoi (Ryuichi Sakamoto), a tough, traditional, but conflicted Japanese POW-camp commander deals with his growing fascination with Australian prisoner Jack Celliers (David Bowie) and with Japanese-speaking prisoner John Lawrence (Tom Conti), who struggles to keep his fellow inmates safe and to remind the Japanese of their responsibilities towards their captives. Conti is very good but I never found Bowie to ring true as a tough soldier (neither his character's behaviour nor 'look'). The story is meandering but interesting, especially the ending, but the diversion into Celliers' past adds little and padded a somewhat excessive 123 minute running time. Nagisa Oshima's direction is fine and Ryuichi Sakamoto's unusual score adds a lot to the film's often depressing mood. Worth watching as a change from the usual 'POW narrative' of resourceful resistance and escape.
Review of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
