The Barbarian and the Geisha

directed by John Huston
Category: "Drama"
Year of Release:1958
Date Added:05/05/2024
Date Watched:05/05/2024
Description:Based on real events. In 1856, Townsend Harris (John Wayne) travels to Japan with his interpreter to become the U.S. envoy. The Japanese don't want him there. The local governor allows him to stay but not to assume his duties. Okichi, a geisha girl, is assigned to Harris. At first she is afraid, but she come to admire him, and he her. When cholera breaks out, Harris works to save people. He realizes the only way to stop the spread of the disease is to burn the village. His actions result in his expulsion—but when the governor realizes that the disease has ceased, he changes his mind and gets Harris an interview with the Shogun. After much debate and disagreement, a treaty is signed, but one faction decides to kill Harris. The governor is sent to do it. Okichi, who has sworn to help her people, stops the governor. For honor's sake, he has to kill himself, and Okichi has to leave Harris's house.
My Rating:5

Reviews for The Barbarian and the Geisha

Review - Barbarian and the Geisha, The

Rather dull. I didn't hate Wayne in the role of Harris, but he wasn't given much to do. The movie is mostly about Japan and its struggle to modernize. Because the movie was made in 1958, the love between Harris and Okichi was very much underplayed.

Reviewed by Roger on 2024-05-05 11:02:55

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