Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence: Soundtrack From The Original Motion Picture

As good as the film is, the soundtrack is stunning, especially the title track; it's haunting, mesmorizing, and powerful. (The only clunker is the David Sylvian vocal on the "reprise" at the end, which was not on the film's soundtrack.)

At the very least, get this brilliant soundtrack!


Essential Sylvian / Sakamoto collaboration   September 3, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This CD disappeared for some time, I remember hunting for years to find it again. This re-release gives fans of the movie and the two artists another chance to listen to a fine Sakamoto piece. Sakamoto was in Yellow Magic orchestra, Sylvian in Japan and then on his own. The collaboration with Sylvian is one of many: Bamboo Music/Bamboo Houses and Sylvian's first 3 solo albums -- all amazing when Sakamoto adds his unique keyboard touches. "Forbidden Colors" stands away from the rest of the album, I think, a wonderful song, one of my favorites.

Buy the movie, it's still available, enjoy Bowie against Sakamoto and Tom Conti's fine performance. Then, you'll need this album.


This is still No.1 in my list of favorite music   August 12, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I watched the movie for the first time when I was 21.

I listened to the entire soundtrack for the first time when I was 18.

I have known the melody of the title theme....since I was in elementary school.

I always whistled this melody without knowing what the music was called or who it was by.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence was the soundtrack of my life.

PS.
I have recently noticed the track #2 on disc #2 of the compilation Clicks & Cuts 3 (on Mille Plateaux), by Antonelli Electr., starts with a melody that is very remniscent of one of the short tracks on Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. It made me really excited...


Beautiful, complicated and haunting   April 12, 2003
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

close your eyes and enjoy this work of art