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28/05/1983 Drama, History, War 2h 4m
72
User score

Java, 1942 — A clash of cultures, a test of the human spirit.

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.

  1. Nagisa Ōshima

    Director

Top billed cast

  1. David Bowie

    Celliers

  2. Tom Conti

    Lawrence

  3. Ryuichi Sakamoto

    Yonoi

  4. Takeshi Kitano

    Hara

  5. Jack Thompson

    Hicksley

  6. Johnny Ohkura

    Kanemoto

  7. Alistair Browning

    De Jong

  8. James Malcolm

    Celliers' Brother

  9. Chris Broun

    Celliers (12 Years)

  10. View more

Full Cast & Crew

Reviews

A review by CinemaSerf
Written by CinemaSerf on 2022-04-14
This offers a really poignant look at what we might describe as mutual insanity. "Maj. Celliers" (David Bowie) is convicted by the occupying Japanese on the island of Java on citing rebellion. With hindsight, perhaps he would rather not have been, but he is spared the firing squad and sent to the POW camp of "Col Yonoi" (Ryuichi Sakamoto) who leaves much of the day to day brutality to his henchman "Sgt. Hara" (Takeshi Kitano). Also interned is "Col. Lawrence" (a strong performance from Tom Conti) who knows a thing or two about the culture of their "hosts" and tries, as best he can, to mediate ...read the rest
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Status
Released

Original Language
Japanese

Budget
$0.00

Revenue
$2,306,560.00

Keywords