Barbarosa | | Cast : | Willie Nelson, Gary Busey | | Director : | Fred Schepisi | | Studio : | Lions Gate Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color | | Released Date : | February 19, 1982 | | DVD Released Date : | March 18, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 29, 2004 | | Summary | A Hidden Gem | Content
 | A rather unknown western from the early 80s starring Willie Nelson and Garey Busey. Although the plot is within the mainstream of western genres, the film is a great drama with good direction and cinematography. The film also has an excellent soundtrack.
Willie Nelson plays Barbarossa, an ex-Texas Ranger ostracized from relating with his Mexican wife because of a vendetta from his father-in-law. His father-in-law also happens to be the pueblo's chieftain. His hatred for Nelson is so intense that he holds a bounty over his head to which all the young men of the pueblo respond. Nelson is therefore left to be a desperado who can neither be too far or too close from his wife's village. Nelson soon encounters Busey roaming in the desert as an outcast from his own family feud. They join together as desperadoes roaming the Sonoran desert while evading men of the pueblo who seek to carry out their jefe's vendetta.
The acting is excellent and all of the characters are given depth. A very touching story. Definitely worth owning.
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| Rating | | | Date | July 29, 2003 | | Summary | Superior Western | Content
| One of the best unknown Westerns of the last 20 years or so, Barbarosa stars Willie Nelson and Gary Busey in a story of revenge and honor. Nelson plays a ex-Texas Ranger, Barbarosa, who's now a lone bandit, preying on rich Mexicans. During a disagreement, he formerly crippled his father-in-law to be, a Mexican landowner and still deeply loves the landowner's daughter with whom he has had a daughter. Busey is a Texas farmhand who accidentally killed his brother-in-law--his sister's husband--and is now out on his own, pursued by his brother-in-law's two brothers for revenge. Similarly, Barbarosa is being pursued by the landowner's top gun, a fiery Mexican who vows Barbarosa's death. The two, Nelson and Busey, meet by accident and join up for a time. During that time we get to see the West as it very likely really looked about 100 years ago (more specifically, the Southwest--i.e., southern Texas); the cinematography is magnificent. One of the critical ingredients in any great Western is great cinematography and that is very much in display here. As well, the score by Bruce Smeaton is excellent. Nelson and Busey do a great job--their accents certainly don't hurt (both men are originally from that part of the U.S.), and so does the supporting cast. Fred Schepisi, the director, has a perfect sense of pacing and momentum that pulls the viewer along with very little tugging indeed. Armadillos figure in the mix, as do old men with guns and younger men buried up to their necks. There's a hacienda, a cantina, and an outdoor festival. The film drips with Western atmosphere, no question. Highly recommended for fans of the genre. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 20, 2003 | | Summary | Full screen version of a 2:35 film | Content
| Beware. Artisan has only released a full-screen version of this movie. If aspect ratio is important to you, don't buy it. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 20, 2002 | | Summary | GREAT movie | Content
| this is one of THE best written movies ever made, the acting makes the writing even better, and the music brings it all together. the final scene is simply wonderful. the premise is so odd one gets the feeling it was written on a dare, like "bet you can't write ..." (i don't want to give it away if you haven't seen it). yet it hangs together as a story. and both busey and nelson are just superb. great movie.
and, yes, there was a scene removed before it was mass marketed. the scene explains why nelson does what he does. unlike bladerunner, i think this (director's cut?) version is better. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 27, 2002 | | Summary | Where is The Scene..? | Content
| I may be the only person in the Western world that saw the cut of this movie where Gilbert Roland explains to the young killer, Eduardo, the reason that the vendetta is carried on. Don Braulio did, and does, it deliberately, to raise the Zavala family from peonage and give the family purpose. Don Braulio asks Eduardo how he will keep the family motivated when it is his turn to be the head of the family. This is the reason that Eduardo shouts "Barbarosa" at the end, when he KNOWS Barbarosa is dead. The scene takes place in the same room where Don Braulio is first informed that "Barbarosa is dead!" and before they go out to make the announcement to the assembled family. If anybody saw this scene, it would be great for my mental health to know I am not the only one. |
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