Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence DVD+Blu-ray, 1983

Set in a POW camp on Java in 1942, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence is an effective psychological drama about culture clashes and the will to survive. It sees a British Army officer wage a war of wills against his strict and belligerent Japanese captors.

In 1942, British soldier Jack Celliers comes to a Japanese prison camp run by Yonoi, who has a firm belief in discipline, honour and glory. In his view, the allied prisoners are cowards when they chose to surrender instead of commiting suicide. One of the prisoners, interpreter John Lawrence, tries to explain the Japanese way of thinking, but is considered a traitor.

A very moving film set in a Japanese POW camp with Bowie being a very difficult rebellious soldier. Bowie doesn't come across as the greatest actor of all time, (esp. ... more >

A very moving film set in a Japanese POW camp with Bowie being a very difficult rebellious soldier. Bowie doesn't come across as the greatest actor of all time, (esp. as a strong SAS type figure), but the supporting cast are superb. It's a very dramatic film which you will be heavily drawn into. You will find it difficult not to be touched by such a great film. < less