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Sayonara (DVD, 2001)
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- Buy It NowSayonara (1957, DVD) BRAND NEW - MARLON BRANDO - RICARDO MONTALBAN
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Sayonara, by James Michener, at the time it came out in 1957, was not that well received, except for 10 Oscar nominations(!), but as I lived in Japan for almost 5 years, it has always held a special place in my heart. Sure, it can be considered stereotypically racist, or a US-Japan soap opera, but still, it evokes a time-capsule and for those that like sentimental tragic love stories, is hard to beat. With the exception of Brando, Ricardo Montalban(really miscast)and Red Buttons, most of the cast appeared in many other comedies about Americans in Asia set during or after the War. Buttons and Umeki Miyoshi won the Best Supporting Actor and Actress Oscars, and this was Taka Miiki's(originally from Seattle I believe)first movie, and a clip of her singing Irving Berlin's Title song from this movie can be had off the Internet, as can LP's of the Soundtrack, which is not available in DVD. For anyone who has ever seen the Takarazuka Review- the famous all-female musical light-opera production(upon which this story was based) near Osaka and Kyoto, the Mitstubayashi girls will immediately be familiar. The theme of lovers committing suicide together is common in Japanese literature, and Brando, as Maj. Floyd Bruber adopts a very Japanese "shikattanai" (it can't be helped) attitude towards Buttons predicament.Read full review
Marlon Brando stars as Major Lloyd Gruver in this James Michener novel brought beautifully to the screen in 1957. Ace Gruver is supposedly a poster boy pilot for the Korean War, who is unexpectedly brought to Japan by his commanding officer General Webster, who is also the father of his fiancee Eileen Webster played by Patricia Owens. This romance changes when Gruver arrives in Japan and meets Joe Kelly (Red Buttons). Kelly is determined to marry his Japanese love Katsumi played by Myoshi Umeki. And he does marry her despite military rules prohibiting such marriages. In a brave effort, Gruver endorses the marriage with grave reservations and serves as best man. And then Gruver spots Hana Ogi (Miiko Taka), who is a Japanese actress and the star of her company of entertainers. Somehow, Gruver convinces Kelly's wife Katsumi to arrange a meeting of the two in their house. The fireworks start then and don't end until the movie ends. This movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won four. Red Buttons and Myoshi Umeki won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively. It also won for Art Direction/Set Direction and Best Sound. It was nominated for Best Actor (Brando), Best Picture, Best Director (Joshua Logan), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. This movie has been called a "poignant outcry against bigotry"--and it is bigotry on both sides. Not only did the United State prohibit such unions, but in the movie Hana tells Major Gruber that she cannot marry him because she was sold to the entertainment company as a young girl. There are obstacles on both sides. Can love conquer all? This movie is beautifully photographed and is a pleasure to watch for the 2-1/2 hours that it lasts. Irving Berlin composed the title song, and Franz Waxman composed the musical score that serenades us throughout the movie. Some additional notes: (1) Marlon Brando has been criticized for the Southern accent that he mumbles throughout the movie. It is said that his mumbling cost him the Oscar. (2) Hana Ogi was played by Miiko Taka, who was a native of Seattle, Washington. She appears totally Japanese. (3) Red Buttons, who was noted for his comedic career, triumphed here in a dramatic role and won the Oscar. (4) Myoshi Umeki wins our hearts with her shy, whispery manner and her actions as Kelly's wife. She actually became a popular figure in the United States as a result of this movie and her Oscar. (5) More than 10,000 American military personnel defied regulations and married Japanese women in this time period. (6) Congress finally passed a law that allowed these marital unions. This movie is well worth your time.Read full review
I first viewed Sayonara in a theater about fifty years ago. This disc has lost none of the quality (color, sound) I saw in the original, and it was a pleasure watching it again. Now that I have a son-in-law whose mother was Japanese and whose father was stationed there during the Korean conflict, the film brought home to me what they might have gone through at that time in history in order to be married. Red Buttons (a standup comedian at the time) is outstanding in his role and deserved his Oscar. I highly recommend this film.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Everyone needs to hear Marlon Brand affect a southern accent just once. A love story, forbidden, set in Japan, addresses race prejudice ( on both sides) after WWII and during the Korean War while our military was stationed there.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
SAYONARA with Marlon Brando. What a classic. How could it not be a 10?
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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