War films don’t always have to depict brutal battles. Focusing on the psychology of the protagonists can often be even more impressive. This is also the case with “Furyo – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”, which is on TV today.
When filmmakers come up with lavishly staged battle sequences that rely on brutal details, their war films are repeatedly accused of feasting on destruction and ruin. Yes, it is not uncommon for the mass extinction to take place in a kind of adventure playground for adults to be primarily spectacular – and that is exactly what one can rightly question.
But there are films that, in their anti-war message, refuse to go directly to the front and instead look at the psychology of their protagonists. This also applies to “Furyo – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” from 1983. Have you not seen the film yet? Today, November 11th, you can catch up on it from 9:40 p.m. on Arte – without any advertising!
That’s what “Furyo” is about
In 1942: British Major Jack Celliers (David Bowie) is transferred to a Japanese prisoner of war camp on Java. Captain Yonoi (Ryūichi Sakamoto) leads this with an iron fist. The commander, who fanatically insists on discipline and honor, has nothing but contempt for the prisoners because they surrendered to captivity instead of committing suicide.
One of the prisoners, the translator John Lawrence (Tom Conti), who is familiar with Japanese traditions and customs, tries to mediate between cultures and bring his fellow prisoners closer to the Japanese way of thinking. But Lawrence is punished with disrespect from both sides…
This film gets under your skin
Anyone who likes their war films to be more brutal and with great effects will be disappointed by “Furyo – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”. Nagisa Ôshima‘s work is powerful from the first to the last minute. Not only because the film was also staged very impressively in terms of craftsmanship and the depressing atmosphere in the prison camp scorching heat, humiliation and fear of deathmakes it tangible for the audience.
“Furyo – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” unleashes its true strength as a subtle character drama about masculinity within military cultures – and here Ôshima reflects the Allies with the Japanese. Little by little, suppressed needs are slowly being brought to the surface – and “Furyo” explores the meaning of pride, atonement and sexual identity. Particularly in the last third, unforgettable, deeply touching moments of pure truthfulness emerge.
Did you know? One of the best war films of the last 20 years has three sequels that hardly anyone knows about. You can find out which film it is in the following article:
One of the best war films of the last 20 years has 3 (!) sequels that hardly anyone knows about
