Customer Reviews

The Barbarian And The Geisha

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first saw this movie in 1958 just before going to Japan with the US Army. It made quite an impact on me and my expectations of the Japanese. The movie does successfully capture some of the Japanese spirit as I know it. John Wayne, though he has been panned in this role, I think, embodies what may have been an accurate portrayal of the typical well meaning American in a culture he could never understand. Years later, when I happened to be in Shimoda, where the film is set, I found a small Japanese Museum, that commorated the self-sacrifice of the Japanese woman, the lovely Okichi, to her community. It depicts the 'facts' of the movie in a totally differnt light.
This movie really deserves to be put on DVD !!

I teach secondary Culture and Japanese Language to about 160 students. This is one of the best researched and fun to watch stories about 19th century Japan. The Duke is Smooth in his role and the differences of Late Japanese Culture and Early American Culture are well described. My students were engrossed the whole movie, with well thought questions during the film and at the end. Definitely worth your time.

John's Wayne's depiction of Townsend Harris is typical John Wayne. The greatness of this movie is the authenticty of Japanese and American cultural differences in the 1850's when Commador Perry opened Japan to the West. Japan's fear of invasion from the West stemmed from the 1600 Jesuit Missionaries and Western economic exploitation, most evident in the West's occupation of China. Japan was the first country to refuse the technological invention of the rifle, believing there was no honor in killing except in hand to hand combat. When the cannons on Perry's black ships necessitated opening of Japan's shores, internal opposition to trade with the West errupted. Townsend Harris, by exemplifying such virtues as self-sacrifice, courage and honesty, was successful in negotiating a treaty. The Japanese concept of "On" or obligation to family or lord is the backbone of this movie. Because the good of the nation is placed above the individual - the love Okichi and Harris - is the reason why this movie deserves a 4 star rating.

This is a good film. It is very subtle and not a typical John Wayne film. Director John Huston's pace is slow but well thought out. It is a well researched film and is a very good historical piece demonstrating the clash of Eastern and Western cultures.

I go back to the 60s with the movie. The copy is great. I am interested that it is a Portuguese copy and includes Japanese subtitles. I believe it is multi-region as well. I wish it had more extras, even a critical commentary track like on Clifton Webb's Titanic.

This is a movie not yet released in America. It is a foregin dvd, but in American. the movie is a little slow and different from the John Wayne action we are use to. But over all it is a great movie to watch.

This movie is a great find. I am an avid John Wayne fan and really wanted to add this film to my collection. It is a refreshing change for the average John Wayne as he is neither a cowboy or soldier. This movie demonstrates John Wayne's versitility and the broad spectrum of which he can portray a character with ease.

I first saw this film when it came out at the La Reina Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California. I thought it boring for a John Wayne film. Of course I was only 12 and age does mellow ones tastes.I just recieved the Brazilian DVD release of the film and enjoyed it with a differant perspective.

To begin with the film is a nice retelling of the story of Townsend Harris, if slim of substance. The reason: this is not the film John Wayne and John Huston set out to make. When Huston presented his self-edited cut to 20th Century Fox they shorten and re-edited the film. Which explains at least two of the voice overs by the Geisha to fill the viewer in as to what transpired between scenes. Also, evident is how in one scene she can't speak a word of English and in the next she is conversing with Harris. Huston wanted his name removed from the final cut and 20th said he had a contract and Directed by John Huston remains. Huston also was attempting to shoot his film like the Japanese directors and so we will never know what his vision really looked like.

As to Wayne yes he seems out of his element, but I think this may also have been partly due to the cutting of the original longer version. Again his relationship with the Geshia is to fast and something is missing. Yes, he also delivers some lines like John Wayne very stilted, but he also seems the perfect fish out of water as an 1858's American finding himself in Feudal Japan and he's in his element when addressing the Shogan.

Overall if you just go with the film and its sudden, too quick ending.Again something has to be missing. I think the viewer will enjoy themselves and isn't that the purpose of film? Also you just may get a little history lesson along the way.

Wayne is stiff but the rest of the cast excellent. Sam Jaffe is wonderful and his Japanese very good. The scenes, shot in Japan are just beautiful and the recreation of the Shogun's court wonderful. Well worth seeing. Unfortunately the movie has not been released in the USA and this is a foreign copy but it was wonderful and an excellent transfer.Oh yes, it's based on a true story.

I'm told by a Japanese historian that this movie was filmed at the actual places, not on sets, and most of the places are no longer open to the public. For this reason, it is a significant historical piece.