​Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' Soundtrack Treated to Reissue

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Aug 8, 2016

Back in 1983, Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the award-winning score for the Nagisa Ôshima-directed film Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, capturing one of the Japanese musical hero's finest moments. More than 30 years later, the soundtrack will get reissued on vinyl October 21 through Milan Records.
 
In addition to taking home the 1983 BAFTA Award for Best Film Music for composing the picture's music, Sakamoto also starred in the film alongside David Bowie. The story is set at a World War II Japanese prison camp and explores the relationship between a young camp commander (played by Sakamoto) and a British soldier (Bowie). Despite his onscreen role, Bowie did not contribute any music to the project.
 
The soundtrack was previously reissued through Milan Records back in 1994. The same label will also release the Sakamoto-composed score for Yoji Yamada's recent film Nagasaki: Memories of My Son on September 23.
 
Below, find the full tracklisting for the upcoming reissue of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.
 
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence:
 
1. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
2. Batavia
3. Germination
4. A Hearty Breakfast
5. Before The War
6. The Seed and The Sower
7. A Brief Encounter
8. Ride, Ride, Ride (Cellier's Brother's Song)
9. The Fight
10. Father Christmas
11. Dismissed
12. Assembly
13. Beyond Reason
14. Sowing The Seed
15. 23rd Psalm
16. Last Regrets
17. Ride, Ride, Ride
18. The Seed
19. Forbidden Colors (ft. David Sylvian)
 

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