Here is my entry in this month’s blogathon, hosted by https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/
Gill has picked the theme of well-known music artists in acting roles, and I have chosen David Bowie.
This is actually a two-for-one post, as the film co-stars Ryuichi Sakamoto. He also composed the music for the soundtrack, and is a famous musician in his native Japan. To add a third musician to the mix, the theme song from the film, ‘Forbidden Colours’, was sung by David Sylvian.
As a lifelong fan of the music of David Bowie, I eagerly watched all of his acting roles too. When this film came out in 1983, I went to see it at a cinema in London.
***Plot spoilers included***
The story is set during WW2, in a Japanese prisoner of war camp for allied captives. As well as the two stars, we are treated to some excellent supporting actors, including Takeshi Kitano, Tom Conti, and Jack Thompson.
Soon after Major Celliers (Bowie) arrives at the camp, the commandant Captain Yonoi (Sakamoto) develops a fixation on him. Meanwhile, Celliers has become close to the senior British officer, Colonel Lawrence, (Conti) and soon develops a reputation as a troublemaker, and one of the spokesman for the poor conditions that the prisoners have to endure. Despite Celliers outward defiance and rebellious attitude, Yonoi fails to punish him, and it becomes obvious that he has an overwhelming crush on the attractive prisoner. This alarms the Japanese guards, and one urges his commander to kill Celliers, rather than face the shame of discovery.
But Yonoi is unable to do that, and is eventually replaced because of his lack of leadership. His successor is aware of what transpired between Celliers and Yonoi, and immediately informs the prisoner that he can expect no mercy from him. To punish him for disgracing his colleague, Celliers is buried up to his neck in sand, and left to die.
This film is beautifully shot, and the location convincing. As befits a film starring two international recording artists, the soundtrack is simply perfect, and so appropriate for the mood. Both the leads deliver excellent peformances, alongside those supporting actors who are always completely reliable.
Thirty-seven years later, it is still as powerful and interesting as it was in 1983.
Hope this finds you and your family well, thanks for joining with this film which I’ve still to see but certainly sounds interesting thanks to this great review.
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Thanks, Gill. Sorry I was away for the blogathon as such, but hope it went well. The film still holds up, and is worth seeing.
Best wishes, Pete
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Not to worry.. hope you had a good break and thanks all went well.
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I’ve never seen David Bowie in a film, and now you’ve got me wondering what I’ve been missing out on. I’ll make a point of tracking this one down. Thanks!
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He wasn’t in many films, but they were all good ones. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bowie was da man. Wasn’t he in that vampire flick you like?
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Yes, ‘The Hunger’. Deneuve and Sarandon, enough said. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Quite right. 😉 Best wishes Pete.
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Great review! It’s indeed an interesting movie. Excellent cast — Bowie was a really good actor! Nice selection. 🙂
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Thanks very much, Eric. Glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A long time since I have seen it but it stays with you, visually and musically. I know what tune will be in the back of my mind the rest of the day now 🙂
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I only watched it that one time at the cinema. But I have never forgotten it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Now i have to watch the film too. Very good taste, Pete!
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A film worth seeing, Michael. Good POW drama.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Will do. Thank you for your always great recomendations, Pete! Hope you will have a fantastic vacation.
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Thanks, Michael. It was a pleasant trip indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great! Hope you are well. The horror is going on, here too.
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Can’t believe I have yet to see this one…now I must! Bowie was almost as prolific an actor as he was a musician…a true Renaissance man.
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Thanks, Christopher. Obviously, I recommend watching it. It is quite old now, but has an appeal beyond the fact that Bowie starred in it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great choice!
Loved the film!
Miss David Bowie!
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Thanks, Margie. Glad to hear you are a fan too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You have wonderful taste Pete. This and Labyrinth are my two favs of his. God I miss him!😔
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I only saw this film once, at the cinema.
I have never forgotten it.
Thanks, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I LOVED THIS FILM! I adored it when it came out, loved the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, and was thrilled to get the soundtrack on cd a few years back for a couple of quid. I’m so glad others remember it too.
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Thanks, Donnalee. It was one of the first that came to mind when I was asked to participate in this Blogathon. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Another which I loved at the time (more like 1987 or so) was called something like Mona Lisa, with Bob Hoskins–I know Phil Collins did the music, but am unsure if he was in it too.
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Mona Lisa was a 1986 crime drama, and a very good one. The song featured was by Genesis, when Phil Collins was still in that band. (This from IMDB)
‘This movie featured the Genesis song “In Too Deep”, which also featured on the band’s best-selling album “Invisible Touch”, released in 1986. The song was written primarily by Phil Collins after he was asked to write a song for this movie soundtrack, but is credited to all three members of the band. It became a hit in the U.K. and the U.S. The song is heard almost in its entirety in the middle of the movie.’
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was a very poignant film about Bob Hoskins, who to me resembles Phil Collins in physical type, in love with a young prostitute and the dismal world that involved. I’d have to see it again to recall all of it.
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I know the film well. Cathy Tyson played the prostitute, and Michael Caine was the villainous crime boss. 🙂
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I wonder about the still. How does one go about burying a chap up to his chin without getting dirt (sand) on his face? Warmest regards, Theo
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Perhaps they brushed it off after, so he looked nice for the photo? 🙂 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve never really explored David Bowie’s music, though I’m familiar with a couple of his songs. The only movies I’ve seen him perform in as an actor are:
The Man Who Fell to Earth (original theatrical release)
The Hunger (own on DVD)
The Prestige (own on DVD)
Of course, I’ve seen various pop stars perform in films (Madonna, for example). Hollywood has always turned to musical talent when casting films, with mixed results.
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I was tempted to ask for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’, but decided to do a British star instead.
Thanks, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What a good choice, Pete. I love Bowie. He’s wonderful. I haven’t seen him in this, but it looks great.
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Thanks, Cindy. He played being a WW2 army officer pretty much ‘straight’, and his relationship with Sakamoto was very interesting.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Terrific choice Pete…of all of Bowie’s film work, this was one of the most original, unique and impressive…he showed a range in his acting that he didn’t share often in his work…
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I liked the atmosphere between him and Sakamoto too. So much unsaid.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, when working with gifted Directors, Bowie could ACT, using all of his persona….terrific choice….I will be sharing mine on Saturday!
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I will catch that next week, John. I won’t be around for a few days after tonight.
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Such an emotional film, I wept buckets.
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I haven’t seen it since, but have memories of how powerful it was.
Best wishs, Pete.
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