Directed by:
Nagisa ŌshimaComposer:
Ryūichi SakamotoCast:
David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryūichi Sakamoto, Jack Thompson, Takeshi Kitano, Takashi Naitō, Hiroshi Mikami, Hideo Murota, 内田裕也, 飯島大介, Kan Mikami, Rokkô TouraPlots(1)
This powerful prisoner-of-war drama features a stunning cast - including David Bowie in one of his greatest roles - and is the first English-language film by acclaimed Japanese director Nagisa Oshima. Set in Java at a Japanese POW camp in 1942, a war of wills - and unspoken erotic attraction - unfolds between a rebellious prisoner, David Bowie, and camp commandant Ryuichi Sakamoto, who is impressed by Bowie's defiance while bilingual prisoner Tom Conti (Mr. Lawrence) engages in a more adversarial relationship with sadistic sergeant Takeshi Kitano (Hana Bi), who finally offers Lawrence a sinister 'Christmas' present. Fine performances by Conti, Kitano (his first dramatic role), Sakamoto (his acting debut, he also contributed the memorable score) and Bowie, combined with stunning cinematography and brilliant direction by one of Japan's finest filmmakers, make this a memorable and compelling war drama. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Cast
David Bowie
UK
Best movies:
The Freddie Mercury Tribute: Concert for AIDS Awareness (1992) (concert)
The Prestige (2006)
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Tom Conti
UK
Best movies:
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Ściana (1982) (TV movie)
Oppenheimer (2023)
Ryūichi Sakamoto
Japan
Best movies:
The Last Emperor (1987)
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
New Rose Hotel (1998)
Jack Thompson
Australia
Best movies:
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Wake in Fright (1971)
Short Circuit (1986)
Takeshi Kitano
Japan
Best movies:
Kikujiro (1999)
Fireworks (1997)
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
Takashi Naitō
Japan
Best movies:
Spirited Away (2001)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Maborosi (1995)
Hiroshi Mikami
Japan
Best movies:
Tokyo Pop (1988)
Swallowtail & Butterfly (1996)
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
Hideo Murota
Japan
Best movies:
A Fugitive from the Past (1965)
The Shogun's Samurai (1978)
Kagemusha (1980)
内田裕也
Japan
Best movies:
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka (2002)
飯島大介
Japan
Best movies:
Blues Harp (1998)
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
The Five (1995)
Kan Mikami
Japan
Best movies:
Pastoral: To Die in the Country (1974)
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
Tokyo Decadence (1992)
Rokkô Toura
Japan
Best movies:
Japan's Longest Day (1967)
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965)
Silence Has No Wings (1966)