After having researched this topic for a couple of years, I come to the conclusion that this review indeed encapsulates a most accurate portrayal of intentions and historical context of this movie.
I found this movie through its music. What a wonderful video to find as well, a great delve into the surrounding history giving context to what should be a very important work of art
I've been watching your channel for a little while. I'm beginning to understand your content better. This was excellent. I saw this movie and was lost. But the ending was devastating. Thank You both so much. Great review. ( bows deeply and most respectfully).
I've wondered if casting Conti in Dark Knight Rises to be paired with Bale in the prison was a nod to Bale also starring in an 80s movie set in a Japanese POW camp, Empire Of The Sun.
I just found this channel and will be watching a lot more. MCML is one of the movies I want my son (British/Japanese) to watch when he is older as he comes to terms with his nationalities. I also commend you for making a connection between Mishima (one of the most beautiful movies ever) and Yanoi. I had never noticed that before.
This is my understanding of the film. the Pacic War was a confrontation btw East and West. Mr.Lawrence who understands Japanes, his thougts go back and forth btw them. Also another confliction is depicted in the film, which is about class disparities among British hostages. Mr.Lawrence's thoughts bump around there too. During the war, Japanese authority banned all sorts of Western things such as langage, culture, religion and so on. Christmas is very Western thing, I think. However Hara san gave the hostages permission to celebrate the day. I think Hara san knows Japan's defeat. He probably felt everything was ludicrous. In the end Hara tells Mr.Lawrence that he is ready to die, but he doesn't understand why. Everything he or Japanese army did was the same as other Western countries have done in Asia. "Merry Christmas, Mr.Lawrence" Mr.Hara's face stopped to end the film stands for the war,itself was ludicrous. Emptiness of the war stays there...then Sakamoto's music plays.
This movie could’ve been better if acted by real actors. I don’t know why Oshima used these amateurs. Maybe for a publicity? As a Japanese, watching this movie, Takeshi and Sakamoto’s acting were terrible though I admit Takeshi is a great comedian and no doubt that Sakamoto is a great musician and composer.
The credits at the end of the film say it was based upon Laurens VanDerPost's book, "The Seed and the Sower". If we accept that (and how can we not, as the producers included it in the final credits?), then this is a retelling of the Christian gospel (along the same lines as the 'Chronicles of Narnia) in a form the original author thought was accessible to his audience.
After having researched this topic for a couple of years, I come to the conclusion that this review indeed encapsulates a most accurate portrayal of intentions and historical context of this movie.
I found this movie through its music. What a wonderful video to find as well, a great delve into the surrounding history giving context to what should be a very important work of art
I've been watching your channel for a little while. I'm beginning to understand your content better. This was excellent. I saw this movie and was lost. But the ending was devastating. Thank You both so much. Great review. ( bows deeply and most respectfully).
You were lost watching this self explanatory movie…truly….how stupid are you.
Mmmm, no mention of Sakamoto's astounding music score?
I noticed that !
The soundtrack , like Bowie , a twin accomplishment
I've wondered if casting Conti in Dark Knight Rises to be paired with Bale in the prison was a nod to Bale also starring in an 80s movie set in a Japanese POW camp, Empire Of The Sun.
Great work guys as always.
The further we are away from Wars of the past, the closer we come to Wars in the future. Never forget that.
This was very good, needs more views
I just found this channel and will be watching a lot more. MCML is one of the movies I want my son (British/Japanese) to watch when he is older as he comes to terms with his nationalities. I also commend you for making a connection between Mishima (one of the most beautiful movies ever) and Yanoi. I had never noticed that before.
Great write up! So interesting
Very good analysis.
This is my understanding of the film.
the Pacic War was a confrontation btw East and West. Mr.Lawrence who understands Japanes, his thougts go back and forth btw them. Also another confliction is depicted in the film, which is about class disparities among British hostages. Mr.Lawrence's thoughts bump around there too.
During the war, Japanese authority banned all sorts of Western things such as langage, culture, religion and so on.
Christmas is very Western thing, I think. However Hara san gave the hostages permission to celebrate the day. I think Hara san knows Japan's defeat.
He probably felt everything was ludicrous.
In the end Hara tells Mr.Lawrence that he is ready to die, but he doesn't understand why. Everything he or Japanese army did was the same as other Western countries have done in Asia.
"Merry Christmas, Mr.Lawrence" Mr.Hara's face stopped to end the film stands for the war,itself was ludicrous. Emptiness of the war stays there...then Sakamoto's music plays.
Have you read the book? I do feel you guys are reading too much into this film.
This movie could’ve been better if acted by real actors. I don’t know why Oshima used these amateurs. Maybe for a publicity? As a Japanese, watching this movie, Takeshi and Sakamoto’s acting were terrible though I admit Takeshi is a great comedian and no doubt that Sakamoto is a great musician and composer.
And who tf are you?
Everything is about Sex! And Sex is about Power! ..no matter your gender! (sigh)
That's how we got here! 😉
The credits at the end of the film say it was based upon Laurens VanDerPost's book, "The Seed and the Sower".
If we accept that (and how can we not, as the producers included it in the final credits?), then this is a retelling of the Christian gospel (along the same lines as the 'Chronicles of Narnia) in a form the original author thought was accessible to his audience.
This 'slice and dice' of the movie does nothing to summarize it, nor faithfully convey its underlying message.
Yonoi isn't gay.
He was a closeted gay.
The Japanese were sadistic and cruel. PERIOD.
And Muricans weren't? wake up, fool..