Mark Kermode reviews Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1982) | BFI Player

“Ōshima's parable of love, death and desire… a far richer and more emotionally complex film than I had first realised.”
Watch on BFI Player (UK only): player.bfi.org.uk/subscriptio...
Subscribe: bit.ly/subscribetotheBFI
Claim an extended BFI Player Subscription free trial (UK only) - subscribe using code BFIKZbin: theb.fi/player-subscription
Watch more on BFI Player: player.bfi.org.uk/
Like us on Facebook: / britishfilminstitute
Follow us on Instagram: / britishfilminstitute
Follow us on Twitter: / bfi

[@mangasky7]

Bowie was hauntingly brilliant in this.

[@brettcoster4781]

The score is definitely a feature of this film, but so are Bowie's and Sakamoto's performances A truly great film.

[@GlennDavey]

David Bowie had a spotty career as an actor, for various reasons, but there's so much going on behind his eyes and his movements that one can't help but think he was an Oscar-winner in another life.

[@domb8448]

The score is stunning.

[@Rg-es9kv]

The soundtrack is godly, sakamotos music is worth exploring.

[@jimisi7424]

The ending made me cry like a baby even though i was 12 at the time

[@rafd3593]

I have the DVD. A very moving film. Atonement and bravery. Fabulous film score. Well worth watching.

[@Fibonacci64]

"Forbidden colors" with David Sylvian on vocals (from the soundtrack) is one of the finest tracks from the eighties.

[@jmalonemyth]

One of the scores, I almost immediately purchased after watching the movie. I had no idea he acted and composed the score.

[@leevww]

saw this with my brother in 83..enjoyed it immensely and still enjoy the film 4 decade later

[@22Phantasm]

I've loved this film since day 1. The soundtrack is, indeed, exceptional and it's a movie that moves me beyond compare. I'm chuffed to be the first commentary to this clip.

[@MrFooFighter13]

Will give it a watch one day. That theme is something else. I remember hearing it as a child and it stuck with me for around 20 years until I discovered it again on KZbin. Sakamoto is an absolute legend.

[@Silver-rx1mh]

A superb film, with some wonderful performances. And yes, the score is superb.

[@ghostfires]

Brilliant film and best Christmas movie ever

[@richardmurphy9006]

Terrific film love the soundtrack

[@peacefuldawn6823]

Should have reviewed this in Christmas time - it's my favourite Christmas movie!

[@bo8fett.]

The Arrow blu-ray restoration is fantastic, definitely worth picking up if you can.

[@trevorbrown6654]

I have only seen this film once and that was about twenty years ago on tv. I remember very little about it apart from being underwhelmed, thinking it was pretentious and thinking Bowie seemed to be in a different film to the rest of the cast. I guess I thought it was going to be a more straightforward story than it was. Maybe I should watch it again as I think I probably didn't understand it at the time.

[@zsht]

I remember that film for its brilliant score, and for the scene where Bowie's character sings out of tune (he does a great job - of singing out of tune)

[@frasermay7825]

I thought it was brilliant , still do

[@timholder6825]

I love Bowie's music to death, but he was never a good actor. Too aloof and distant. Man who fell, ok. but didn't really require much acting. This, nah, far from best on this topic and Conti is the one who put in the performance. And as for Pontius Pilate in Last Temptation. No, he just can't act, convincingly. Sorry David, it was not your forte. Acting requires less and less, you couldn't do (sic.). There you go Kermode, the Emperors got no clothes on.