The Barbarian and the Geisha
by John Huston
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DVD Cover Information
Director: John HustonPrimary Contributor: John Wayne
Primary Contributor: Eiko Ando
Primary Contributor: Sam Jaffe
Primary Contributor: So Yamamura
Primary Contributor: Norman Thomson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Portuguese (Unknown); Spanish (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Import, NTSC
Running Time: 105 minutes
Published: 2007
Movie Reviews of The Barbarian and the Geisha
Movie Review: Hysterial Wayne? Not reallty more a Historical Wayne.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Summary of The Barbarian and the Geisha
Includes trailer, original English Audio, it is Region 1 and 4. Shipped with a miniposter of the movie (Brazilian). IMPORTANT, this is a Fox Classic Edition BRAZILIAN edition, will play on your DVD player but sleevs are in portugueseSimilar DVD Movies
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