Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
Kernel Score: 82% · 510 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: 1983-05-28
Runtime: 124 minutes
Where to watch Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
- Stream: YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex, Tubi
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
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.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is an R-rated WWII POW drama with brutality and distressing themes.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts brutal treatment in a Japanese POW camp, including court martial and violent discipline, per keywords and R rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
If you liked Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) — 85%
- The Thin Red Line (1998) — 85%
- The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961) — 91%
- Unbroken (2014) — 83%
- The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959) — 91%
- Escape from Sobibor (1987) — 80%
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) — 89%
- Diplomacy (2014) — 79%
Director
Nagisa Ōshima
Cast
- David Bowie as Celliers
- Tom Conti as Lawrence
- Ryuichi Sakamoto as Yonoi
- Takeshi Kitano as Hara
- Jack Thompson as Hicksley
- Johnny Ohkura as Kanemoto
- Alistair Browning as De Jong
- James Malcolm as Celliers' Brother
- Chris Broun as Celliers (12 Years)
- Yuya Uchida as Commandant of Military Prison
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence FAQ
Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence good?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 510 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?
In the US you can stream Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence on YouTube TV and watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex and Tubi.
Is Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence OK for kids?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is an R-rated WWII POW drama with brutality and distressing themes.
What movies are like Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?
If you liked Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, try Letters from Iwo Jima, The Thin Red Line, The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer and Unbroken.