Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Blu-ray

Release Year: 1983

Runtime: 124 min

Director: Nagisa Ōshima

Cast: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Jack Thompson

Studios: Recorded Picture Company, National Film Trustee Company, Antares-Nova, Oshima Productions, Broadbank Investments, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation

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.

Special Features:

New, restored high-definition digital transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack

The Oshima Gang

A 1983 making-of featurette.

New video interviews with producer Jeremy Thomas, screenwriter Paul Mayersberg, actor Tom Conti, and actor-composer Ryuichi Sakamoto

Hasten Slowly

An hour-long 1996 documentary about author Laurens van der Post, whose autobiographical novel was the basis for the film.

Original theatrical trailer

New and improved English subtitle translation

PLUS: A booklet

Featuring an essay by film writer Chuck Stephens and reprinted interviews with director Nagisa Oshima and actor Takeshi Kitano.

Technical Specifications:

• DTS-HD Master Audio
• Stereo
• Aspect Ratio 1.78:1