

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

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.
Japanauary2025 Film # 4 - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Col. John Lawrence: “You are the victim of men who think they are right... Just as one day you and captain Yonoi believed absolutely that you were right. And the truth is of course that nobody is right...”
This is a movie that will sit with me for a while. The contrasting views on the honorablility of Survival and Suicide because of dishonor…
The final few scenes are haunting… Jack Celliers walking in the garden with his brother… and Mr. Lawrence sitting in a cell with the former prison guard Hara… and Hara asking why am I here… when I only did what other soldiers did… and they are not being punished…
This movie shows the complexity of war and the ramifications and impact on people and the human spirit.
This is a movie that is not easy to watch but really should be seen, thought about, and talked about.
This will be added to my must watch movie list.