Product Details

• Actors: Willie Nelson, Gary Busey, Isela Vega, Gilbert Roland, Danny De La Paz
• Directors: Fred Schepisi
• Writers: William D. Wittliff
• Producers: Martin Starger, Paul Lazarus III, William D. Wittliff
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: March 18, 2003
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000089765
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,892 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Barbarosa (Willie Nelson), a gnarly ex-Texas Ranger turned bandit, lives by his wits and his prowess with a gun. Prowling the lonesome deserts of the Southwest, the wily fugitive meets Karl (Gary Busey), a young, eager farmhand out of his element, forced to run after accidentally killing his brother-in-law. Together, the outlaw and the outcast outwit their bloodthirsty pursuers in this legendary story of betrayal, misunderstanding, honor and dignity. Brought vividly to the screen by director Fred Schepisi ("Roxanne", "Six Degrees of Separation" and "I.Q.").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Full screen version of a 2:35 film, March 20, 2003

By A Customer

Beware. Artisan has only released a full-screen version of this movie. If aspect ratio is important to you, don't buy it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superior Western, July 29, 2003

By	LGwriter "SharpWitGuy" (Astoria, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

One of the best unknown Westerns of the last 20 years or so, Barbarosa stars Willie Nelson and Gary Busey in a story of revenge and honor. Nelson plays a ex-Texas Ranger, Barbarosa, who's now a lone bandit, preying on rich Mexicans. During a disagreement, he formerly crippled his father-in-law to be, a Mexican landowner and still deeply loves the landowner's daughter with whom he has had a daughter.

Busey is a Texas farmhand who accidentally killed his brother-in-law--his sister's husband--and is now out on his own, pursued by his brother-in-law's two brothers for revenge. Similarly, Barbarosa is being pursued by the landowner's top gun, a fiery Mexican who vows Barbarosa's death.

The two, Nelson and Busey, meet by accident and join up for a time. During that time we get to see the West as it very likely really looked about 100 years ago (more specifically, the Southwest--i.e., southern Texas); the cinematography is magnificent. One of the critical ingredients in any great Western is great cinematography and that is very much in display here. As well, the score by Bruce Smeaton is excellent.

Nelson and Busey do a great job--their accents certainly don't hurt (both men are originally from that part of the U.S.), and so does the supporting cast. Fred Schepisi, the director, has a perfect sense of pacing and momentum that pulls the viewer along with very little tugging indeed. Armadillos figure in the mix, as do old men with guns and younger men buried up to their necks. There's a hacienda, a cantina, and an outdoor festival. The film drips with Western atmosphere, no question.

Highly recommended for fans of the genre.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uh, where is the widescreen version??, July 20, 2006

By	S Shepark "redclayrambler" (Kansas City) - See all my reviews

Beautiful western! Just beautiful!
And I can think of no other western, besides Walsh's "The Big Trail" which so clearly NEEDS a widescreen transfer yet, for some reason, doesn't have it!!!

Why???
Please, if someone is listening, these films deserve to be seen widescreen. The cinematography in Barbarosa (as well as "The Big Trail") is absolutely breathtaking and is integral to the story.