Barbarosa
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Movie Reviews of Barbarosa
Movie Review: Superior Western
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Movie Review: A Hidden Gem
Summary: 4 Stars
A rather unknown western from the early 80s starring Willie Nelson and Garey Busey. Although the plot is within the mainstream of western genres, the film is a great drama with good direction and cinematography. The film also has an excellent soundtrack.
Willie Nelson plays Barbarossa, an ex-Texas Ranger ostracized from relating with his Mexican wife because of a vendetta from his father-in-law. His father-in-law also happens to be the pueblo's chieftain. His hatred for Nelson is so intense that he holds a bounty over his head to which all the young men of the pueblo respond. Nelson is therefore left to be a desperado who can neither be too far or too close from his wife's village. Nelson soon encounters Busey roaming in the desert as an outcast from his own family feud. They join together as desperadoes roaming the Sonoran desert while evading men of the pueblo who seek to carry out their jefe's vendetta.
The acting is excellent and all of the characters are given depth. A very touching story. Definitely worth owning.
Movie Review: The most underated star in America
Summary: 4 Stars
Willie Nelson should get more respect. This is his second best movie(Red Headed Stranger his best). This is a good movie bottom line. The problem is in the casting. Bussey isn't believable, the German family isn't either. Gilbert Roland and all the Latino's are perfect. I would like to see Willie get a more hip agent or manager. He's not a big star on Broadway maybe but a solid performace and one of the greatest singer's and songwriter's in America today. Have you ever looked at his songwriting credits?Movie Review: Splendid sleeper. Widescreen transfer, please!
Summary: 4 Stars
This splendid movie is a beautifully filmed tall story. It has deservedly gathered quite a following over the years. I found out about it on one of Siskel & Ebert's occasional shows dedicated to the introduction of sleepers-- cinema gems that somehow slipped through the cracks (I believe "Local Hero" was featured on the same show). The present DVD is enjoyable and most welcome but "Barbarosa" still deserves a high res widescreen transfer.Movie Review: look closer
Summary: 4 Stars
all of you need to look closer, the wide screen version has seens cut from the movie at least the apple download one does, i have the wide screen ver and the full screen ver. what we need to see is a wide screen uncut version.