The Barbarian and the Geisha
The Barbarian and the Geisha
Townsend Harris is sent by President Pierce to Japan to serve as the first U.S. Consul-General to that country. Harris discovers enormous hostility to foreigners, as well as the love of a young geisha.
Mister Arn reviewedJune 5, 2025
“The Barbarian and the Geisha” starts with a solid idea, a cross-cultural romance in Japan, the kind of premise that made “Shogun” so compelling. Visually, the film is stunning, with rich landscapes and meticulous attention to detail in its settings. But the central romance, which should carry the emotional weight, feels flat and distant. John Wayne comes off stiff, like a cowboy stranded in the wrong story, out of place and unsure. The film has the bones of something meaningful, but it never quite finds its heart.