Sayonara ( 1957 ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Spain ]

A progressive romance tale for the ages.Director Joshua Logan crafts a thoughtful romance story in Japan that touches on many relevant issues such as racism, interracial marriage, military code, tradition, and real love. Sayonara may be from 1957, but It is a movie before its time as it goes out of its way to show you the humanity of all sides and genuine love across race and country lines. The screenplay from writer Paul Osborn is truly ahead of his time. I am stunned at how profound and progressive Sayonara remains to this day.Marlon Brando delivers a fascinating role as an ignorant country boy from Virginia that learns to appreciate, and indeed, love Japan's country, people, and culture. He is so far removed from the usual thoughtful intellectual Brando characters that Brando's performance is all the more impressive. He demonstrates the character's gradual shift in ideals. It's a wonderful role for Brando that marks his last great role in his untouchable 1950's era.Similarly, actress Miiko Taka stars as the leading lady Hana-ogi. Her English is perfect as she delivers the most endearing monologue of the movie to Brando during their first dinner together. Her singing is lovely and her dancing is mesmerizing. Taka gave us the performance of a lifetime in Sayonara.Additionally, Sayonara holds several incredible supporting performances. Namely, Patricia Owens, Miyoshi Umeki, Red Buttons, and Ricardo Montalbán. They each represent another side of the racial relationships occurring in 1950's Japan. They are so sincere and sympathetic in their own way.Musically, Franz Waxman composed the most lovely score for Sayonara. It is romantic and atmospheric. It only chimes in at the most sweet moments. I really enjoyed how pretty Sayonara's score sounds.In all, Sayonara is a must see romance film. It has proven to be timeless and continues to be relevant. All that's left to say is Sayonara!

I purchased 2 of these for sentimental reasons. My father was Brando's stand-in for this film when he was stationed overseas in the service. My dad passed last January. I know I'm supposed to comment on quality, but these are both Christmas gifts. One for me, one for my older brother. I didn't think I'd find them anywhere available at such a great price. I received them right away, and I can't wait to see my brother's face when he opens it. Besides all of that, I'm a longtime Brando fan. I thank you for making this product available.

By today's entertainment standards, better than so-so. But for its social commentary, I suspect it was pretty risky for the studio to do a movie with this racial overtone. It would be interesting to know what the general American (or Japanese, for that matter) acceptance of a mixed marriage would be in either country.

One of my all-time favorite movies that I never tire of watching. It's not shown on television very often, as much as other Brando movies. This movie garnered numerous Academy Awards. It's an interracial love story and based on history, many soldiers faced similar backlash with loving and marrying Japanese women. It happens after all wars, I'm pretty sure. Great cinematography and excellent acting.

The film, based on the James Michener novel, was extremely well done. I was stationed in Korea in the late 1950s when marriages between American servicemen and local women were strongly discouraged. Still, many young soldiers found the women to their liking, and it was impossible to stop marriages. The novel actually takes place in Japan in 1952, when military men could marry young Japanese girls, but not take them home. The story follows Major Gruver and one of his men, Airman Joe Kelly. Kelly marries a young Japanese girl against Major Gruver’s wishes, but he doesn’t interfere with the wedding. This causes problems with the commanding general, the father of the girl Gruver plans on marrying. It causes a rift in Gruver’s on wedding plans to his daughter. After meeting a beautiful Japanese woman, he knows now what has driven young Kelly to risk his freedom.The movie was a real treat, and the scenes and acting were superb. My only disappointment was in Ricardo Montalban cast as a Japanese. Though a good actor, he looked out of place. I’m sure a Japanese actor could have been found for the part. James Shigeta comes to mind although he hadn’t broke into American films in 1957; he was an actor in Japan. This is a movie worth watching many times over. The musical scores, though not on a par with Flower Drum Song, were still magnificent, as were the scenes of Japan.

Sayonara is a warm film showing the differences in cultural understanding between post WWII GIs and their commanders. In this movie Marlon Brando starts out as The Ugly American (a common phrase at the time for US citizens and military who traveled but tried to impose American ways on non-Americans) who can't understand why Red Buttons has fallen in love with a Japanese woman whom he wants to marry. His clashes with the military and Brando's realization of the beauty and kindness of the Japanese people helps him grow to understand Buttons' quest.The dialogue is not politically correct for the 21st century but it underscores the differences between the two factions post war.

Caution, You will need a VCR that plays all regions to get this video to word. You can purchase these on Amazon for a very reasonable price. I recommend the Sony version plays all regions 1 thru 9, as well as A, B & C.This video has Great Audio and Video, just remember to not use the subtitles so that they don't block the beautiful scenes. The Story is a Classic, the color is great and a very enjoyable movie. This a must for all serious collectors, if you haven't ever seen it you will, I believe love it. If you have seen it you will ENJOY it AGAIN! You don't want to miss this one.

Excellent film that hasn't done well with the passage of time, but there is enough wonderful stuff going on. Great for social or cultural historians, students of acting, or Japan or Brando buffs. Great performances from Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki, James Garnder and Patrician Owens, too. Brando in good form. Unfortunate central performance by Mieko Taka -- a first-time actor, she was just not up to the task. Still, it's an interesting and watchable film on a number of levels. Fine new Blu-ray print, too.

The copy I bought is copyrighted 2004 and the barcode is 5 050070 020632.The aspect ratio is 2.35:1 in a 4:3 full frame. I've included a photo to show the issue.Bizarrely the DVD is for a Luddite friend who clings to his 4:3 analogue telly, so it is actually a perfect purchase.Most folk will find this unacceptable and would do better to source an edition optimised for modern widescreen televisions.

Sayonara has all the problems of 50s Scope blockbuster doorstop novel adaptations and Joshua Logan films both - slow pacing not the least of them - but still works despite it taking nearly an hour for the lovers to meet. But for once the soap operatics seem to be there to support the film's surprisingly daring criticism of the US Army's racist policies rather than its sole raison d'etre, and it's hard to imagine a major studio today making a mainstream big-budget picture with A-list stars about, say, American troops falling for nice Islamic girls. Brando is at his worst here, clearly bored with the part he plays up the Southern stereotype to such a simple downhome cliché that he comes across more like Steve Martin as the Jerk doing Elvis rather than a successful West Point career officer, but a strong supporting cast - an understated Red Buttons (unjustly slated by Pauline Kael for some reason), James Garner and Kent Smith - take up the slack, and MGM/UA's R2 DVD is such a stunningly beautiful transfer that it's easy to get sucked into it. Shame about the impromptu press conference ending and Ricardo Montalban's ah-so turn as the world's tallest Kabuki actor.

Not having seen this movie since its initial release in the late Fifties I was somewhat apprehensive. I need not have been: performances are excellent and it was especially satisfying to see Red Buttons deliver a most sensitive characterisation. Evident sincere direction of a sensitive subject.

The story is good.the picture is not in Blu-Ray.At least the movie is in wide screen so its a little better than the old standard edition which we could only obtain in Australia. I am waiting on the twilight time edition to come down in price.