_**Brando’s romantic culture clash in Japan after WW2**_ In 1951, an American Air Force pilot serving in Korea (Marlon Brando) is reassigned to Kobe, Japan, where he deals with his American fiancé (Patricia Owens) and a Japanese performer who attracts his attention (Miiko Taka). The problem is there’s a military order against fraternizing with indigenous women. James Garner and Red Buttons have peripheral roles…
"I am not allowed to love. But I will love you if that is your desire..."
Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver is reassigned to a Japanese air base and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in defiance of US military policy. Ordinarily, a by-the-book officer, Gruver must take a position when a buddy of his, an enlisted man, Joe Kelly, falls in love with a Japanese woman, Katsumi, and marries her. Gruver risks his position by serving as best man at the wedding ceremony.
Top Cast
Marlon Brando
Major Lloyd Gruver
Patricia Owens
Eileen Webster
James Garner
Capt. Mike Bailey
Martha Scott
Mrs. Webster
Miiko Taka
Hana-ogi
Miyoshi Umeki
Katsumi
Red Buttons
Joe Kelly
Kent Smith
Gen. Webster
Douglass Watson
Col. Craford
Reiko Kuba
Fumiko-san
Soo Yong
Terukosan
Ricardo Montalban
Nakamura
Dennis Hopper
MP in Kelly's House / MP at Tokyo Airport (voice) (uncredited)
Peter Brown
Second Military Police (voice) (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp
General at Tokyo Airport (uncredited)
William Meader
General at Tokyo Airport (uncredited)
Reviews
Though it does try to deal with some quite poignant issues, I’m afraid it struggles to engage as it plods along a bit too sedately for 2½ hours. It’s set in an immediately post-war Korea and sees “Joe” (Red Buttons) fall in love with a Japanese gal. Now that’s strictly against the rules of fraternisation and he risks an immediate court martial. It’s only going to get more precarious when he decides to marry…
FAQ about Sayonara
What is Sayonara about?
Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver is reassigned to a Japanese air base and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in defiance of US military policy.…
When was Sayonara released?
Sayonara was released in 1957.
What genres does Sayonara belong to?
Sayonara is categorised as Drama, Romance.
Who stars in Sayonara?
The cast of Sayonara includes Marlon Brando, Patricia Owens, James Garner, Martha Scott, Miiko Taka.