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5.7/10
2.2K
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In 1856, the first U.S. Consul General to Japan encounters the hostility of the local authorities and the love of a young geisha.In 1856, the first U.S. Consul General to Japan encounters the hostility of the local authorities and the love of a young geisha.In 1856, the first U.S. Consul General to Japan encounters the hostility of the local authorities and the love of a young geisha.
Ryuzo Demura
- Thug
- (uncredited)
Kodayû Ichikawa
- Daimyo
- (uncredited)
Tokujiro Iketaniuchi
- Harusha
- (uncredited)
Fuji Kasai
- Lord Hotta
- (uncredited)
Takeshi Kumagai
- Chamberlain
- (uncredited)
Fuyukichi Maki
- Peasant
- (uncredited)
Morita
- Prime Minister
- (uncredited)
James Robins
- Lt. Fisher
- (uncredited)
William Ross
- Soldier
- (uncredited)
Norman Earl Thomson
- Captain Edmunds
- (uncredited)
Hiroshi Yamato
- The Shogun
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBased on the true story of American diplomat Townsend Harris, his time in Japan in the 1850s and 60s, and his romance with a 17-year-old geisha named Kichi. Their story is one of the most well-known folk tales in Japan. The real Harris died in New York in 1878, and the real Kichi committed suicide in Shimoda in 1892.
- GoofsAt one point, Townsend calls to his Chinese servant Sam; this was not, as some thought, a mistaken reference to an actor's real name.
- Quotes
Henry Heusken: My hat!
Townsend Harris: Well, let him have it, Henry. It doesn't fit you anyway.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood (2001)
Featured review
Totally bizarre casting, but it's still very watchable
In THE BARBARIAN AND THE GEISHA, John Wayne plays Townsend Harris, a real envoy from the United States who was responsible for truly opening up Japan to International relations in the late 1850s. Before him, Commodore Perry basically pushed into Japan with gunboats and forced a treaty upon the Japanese in 1853. Harris, who arrived just a bit later, worked through the details and helped ensure compliance--as many of the Japanese felt no particular inclination to honor the first treaty. All this is true and shown in the film. According to some other sources I found, the romance between Harris and a Japanese Geisha is mostly fiction and this romance is much of the focus of this film (hence, the title).
My first reaction the first time I saw this movie was one of surprise. John Wayne as a diplomat?! When he's being diplomatic in most films, he says please and thank you as he pummels people!!!! So seeing him playing a man who is NOT a man of action and is able to play the diplomatic game seemed very odd indeed. In fact, I can't think of too many actors in 1958 who would have been more unusual for this role. By the way, I've seen photos of Harris and Wayne has practically no resemblance to him at all.
However, despite the story taking a lot of liberties with the truth and the strange casting, the film is still very watchable. The color cinematography is nice, the film shows some nice insights into Japanese customs and culture and the acting isn't bad. All in all, a likable and watchable film despite it's odd casting.
PS--Read through the trivia for this film. You find out a bit more about the real life characters as well as a supposed fight between Wayne and the director (John Huston) where Wayne apparently knocked him out!! Based on what I've read about Huston and the way he got along with actors, this is an incident I tend to believe. And, it's also a nice example of John Wayne "diplomacy".
My first reaction the first time I saw this movie was one of surprise. John Wayne as a diplomat?! When he's being diplomatic in most films, he says please and thank you as he pummels people!!!! So seeing him playing a man who is NOT a man of action and is able to play the diplomatic game seemed very odd indeed. In fact, I can't think of too many actors in 1958 who would have been more unusual for this role. By the way, I've seen photos of Harris and Wayne has practically no resemblance to him at all.
However, despite the story taking a lot of liberties with the truth and the strange casting, the film is still very watchable. The color cinematography is nice, the film shows some nice insights into Japanese customs and culture and the acting isn't bad. All in all, a likable and watchable film despite it's odd casting.
PS--Read through the trivia for this film. You find out a bit more about the real life characters as well as a supposed fight between Wayne and the director (John Huston) where Wayne apparently knocked him out!! Based on what I've read about Huston and the way he got along with actors, this is an incident I tend to believe. And, it's also a nice example of John Wayne "diplomacy".
helpful•122
- planktonrules
- Jul 5, 2009
- How long is The Barbarian and the Geisha?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Barbarian
- Filming locations
- Kyoto, Japan(Nijojo Castle)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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By what name was The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958) officially released in India in English?
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