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Sayonara

Play trailer Poster for Sayonara 1957 2h 27m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Stationed in Japan during the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Major Lloyd Ace Gruver falls for the beautiful Japanese actress Hana-ogi (Miiko Taka). However, he is hesitant to pursue the relationship due to the unfortunate example of his crew chief, Airman Joe Kelly (Red Buttons). Kelly, against official military advice and the prejudices of his commanding officers, married a Japanese woman, Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki), and his military career has suffered ever since.
Sayonara

What to Know

Critics Consensus

As sumptuously staged as it is ponderously paced, Sayonara flutters by on the strength of its touching story and solidly assembled cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Kate Cameron New York Daily News 03/03/2023
4/4
A "must" for moviegoers. Go to Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe 03/03/2023
This is a memorable presentation. Go to Full Review Jean Yothers Orlando Sentinel 03/02/2023
There is much of beauty in the setting. And the story is touching and sympathy-inspiring. Go to Full Review Buck Buchwach Honolulu Advertiser 03/17/2023
[Miyoshi Umeki] is the real star of Sayonara. If she doesn't get an Academy Award for her performance, the judges should be charged with grand larceny. Go to Full Review Florence Epstein Modern Screen 03/03/2023
Sayonara means goodbye, but you won't be forgetting this movie for a long, long time. Go to Full Review John Bustin Austin American-Statesman 03/03/2023
Seldom has this subject been presented with as delicate a touch or in as attractive a mounting as in "Sayonara." Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Franky L @kungfugrandma 02/17/2024 Superb performances by this outstanding cast. Marlon Brando shows his acting superiority, against Red Buttons' Oscar performance. Set in post WWII Japan, this movie touches on prejudice against interracial marriages. Brilliantly shot and acted. See more Ash P @AshParth 08/24/2023 Y'know, once in a while, I'll watch a movie way back in the mid-1900's for the fun of it and this movie was free to view on YouTube currently so I'd popped it on and I friggin love it. Balanced character development, balanced story telling, even the performances were well balanced. Sure a couple of parts do get me but honestly, I was glad enough to love it all from start to finish even when the period takes place after the second World War especially when both sides would still bicker and some would let it all go and move on. If it comes to some old movies, I do recommend this. See more Marc K @wtexram 08/14/2023 One of my favorite movies, a must see See more Leaburn @RT35452347 12/16/2022 This film was not good 👎 See more 07/16/2021 U: The Japanese are better than US. Just look at their automobile production! UDad: They can't make decisions. U: Seems they can on cars. UDad: When I worked with them, they gotta all consult each other and go through lots of team communication- U: Sounds good. UDad: No. Just make a freaking decision. They treat their managers like God as he always makes the final decision, but it's really the team's decision. U: What's wrong with that? UDad: (waves hand away) And everything is so deep to them. U: So? UDad: This guy hands me a kanji of my name and went over how deep everything was in it (imitates badly) This is a very sacred letter... U: That sounds beautiful. UDad: Who cares. U: The Japanese do! UDad: Then this one guy spends at least a few minutes talking about his zen garden every time I just needed numbers (imitates badly) Oh how the sunrise on my coy pond made me connect with the entire universe! U: That sounds really nice, Dad. I think you're jealous. UDad: (drinks beer) It ain't my thing, my dear. U: You just can't handle they are better than US. UDad: They do have better toilets. U: Yeah, I know... See more 05/11/2021 Romantic and wonderful! See more Read all reviews
Sayonara

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joshua Logan

Director

Marlon Brando

Maj. Gruver

Miiko Taka

Hana-Ogi

Patricia Owens

Eileen Webster

Red Buttons

Joe Kelly

Ricardo Montalban

Nakamura

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Sayonara

Sayonara (1957) Sayonara (1957) Sayonara (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Stationed in Japan during the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Major Lloyd Ace Gruver falls for the beautiful Japanese actress Hana-ogi (Miiko Taka). However, he is hesitant to pursue the relationship due to the unfortunate example of his crew chief, Airman Joe Kelly (Red Buttons). Kelly, against official military advice and the prejudices of his commanding officers, married a Japanese woman, Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki), and his military career has suffered ever since.
Director
Joshua Logan
Producer
William Goetz
Screenwriter
Paul Osborn
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Pennebaker Productions, William Goetz Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 5, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2018
Runtime
2h 27m
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