Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Blu-ray Review #3

I had brought this film on blu-ray sometime ago, and had not got around watching it. When I heard the news about David Bowie's death this was my way paying tribute. The film was made in 1983, it was Bowie's 3rd full length acting credit, based on the novel, The Seed and the Sower by Lauren van der Post. The film is a Japanese-British co-production directed by Nagisa Oshima. Along with Bowie
 is Tom Conti as Lawrence, Jack Thompson, Takeshi Kitano as Sgt Gengo Hara and Ryuichi Sakamoto as Capt.Yonoi, also did brilliant music for the film.
The story set in POW camp in Java 1942, Lawrence played by Tom Conti, man who had lived in Japan and has understanding of the Japanese he is the go-between Japanese command and Group Capt. Hicksley played by Jack Thompson. Capt Yonoi is sent main city of Java for a trial of a prisoner, Maj.Jack Celliers played by Bowie, Capt.Yonoi seems to be fixation on Celliers, and Celliers is sent to the POW camp, the film shows this sinister version of the code of the samurai did the Japanese solider had.The film is directed by Japanese director that shows no bars what the small aspect of life in Japanese camp. The interaction between the main characters what holds the film together, this  along with the music.

The blu-ray is released by Umbrella in 2011. The picture quality excellent and the sound wonderful, which helps with the soundtrack. Once the film start you have remember go to subtitle, or you don't  get the interaction between Japanese and the English characters. There is no extras on the disc. nor menu, disc just plays the film.

 At the time of purchase I pay only $9 at K-mart in 2013. On Umbrella web site the blu-ray copy is for $10.00. or DVD for $3:00.