THE BARBARIAN AND THE GEISHA
US, 1958, 118 minutes, Colour.
John Wayne, Eiko Ando, Sam Jaffe, So Yamamura.
Directed by John Huston.
The Barbarian and the Geisha is an unusual star vehicle for John Wayne. He plays the American Consul to Japan at the time of the opening up of Japan to the western world, sent by President Pierce after the gunboat diplomacy of Admiral Perry. While there had been discussions about having an envoy from the United States, many of the governors and authorities in Japan were unwilling to have this kind of contact. John Wayne brings his typical American style – but in a more restrained way, even having a significant speech about the abolition of slavery. Sam Jaffe portrays his friend and confidant. Japanese actress Eiko Ando portrays Okichi, the geisha sent to put Townsend Harris off his job – but finishes by supporting him and even falling in love.
The film is restrained in it presentation of the drama and the action, concentrating on the dialogue (by Charles Grayson) and the personal drama.
It is interesting that the film was released thirteen years after the end of World War Two, a different attitude from the United States towards Japan. An interesting comparison would be the American film, The Last Samurai, with Tom Cruise, which takes its action in the years after the events in this film. There are many Japanese films which portray the change of the Samurai era into the modern era.
The film was directed by John Huston after he made Moby Dick and Heaven Knows Mr Allison and before he made Roots of Heaven and The Unforgiven.
1.An interesting film about Japanese-American? history? The 19th century? The opening up of Japan, the diplomacy of the Americans – in the American style? The consequences?
2.The film released thirteen years after the end of World War Two, American attitudes towards the war, towards the Japanese? The peacemaking in this film?
3.Filmed in Japan, the beauty of the colour photography, the locations, the re-creation of the 19th century? Japanese costumes and décor? The musical score?
4.John Wayne as Townsend Harris, John Wayne’s imposing presence? Representing the president, the comments on Perry? The diplomacy, the stances and tough tactics? The strategies for trade and communication with Japan? His meeting with Okichi, her hostility and suspicion? Gradual understanding, her being a means of his understanding Japan and Japanese? The various governors, their hostility, the violence in the administration of justice? The outbreak of the cholera epidemic, Harris and his contribution, his friendship with Henry and his help? His being seen as a hero? Meeting the Shogun, the discussions, the establishing of relationships? A strong John Wayne character?
5.The Japanese, Okichi and the tradition of the geishas, her being sent to influence Harris? The background of the geishas? Their colourful lives? The relationship with the governors?
6.The governors, the administrators, friendly, others hostile? The reasons? The Shogun and the discussions with Harris?
7.The cholera epidemic, the visuals, the people in need, the American help?
8.The consequences of the opening up of Japan to the world and the west?
9.Insights into Japanese history and culture – from the perspective of Hollywood and the 1950s?
