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Sayonara is a 1957 American romantic drama film directed by Joshua Logan, and starring Marlon Brando, Patricia Owens, James Garner, Martha Scott, Miyoshi Umeki, Red Buttons, Miiko Taka and Ricardo Montalbán. It tells the story of an United States Air Force pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The screenplay was adapted by Paul Osborn from James A. Michener's 1954 novel of the same title.
Unlike many 1950s romantic dramas, Sayonara deals squarely with racism and prejudice. The picture was released by Warner Bros. on December 25, 1957, to critical acclaim and commercial success. At the 30th Academy Awards the film was nominated in nine categories and won four, including Best Supporting Actor for Buttons and Best Supporting Actress for Umeki. The latter award made Umeki the first East Asia-born woman to win an Oscar.
Airman Joe Kelly, Ace's enlisted crew chief, is about to wed a Japanese woman, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the military establishment, which will not recognize the interracial marriage because it is generally illegal under American law. The Air Force, including Ace, is against the marriage. Ace and Joe have an argument during which Ace uses a Epicanthic fold to describe Katsumi. Ace eventually apologizes, then agrees to be Joe's best man at the wedding.
Ace falls in love with a Japanese entertainer, Hana-ogi, who is the lead performer for the all-female "Matsubayashi", a Takarazuka Revue-like theater company, whom he meets through Katsumi. Eileen realizes that Ace's attentions are no longer focused on her and begins a friendship with a famous Kabuki performer, Nakamura. After overhearing that Joe's house has been under surveillance by the Army, she believes that Ace is in danger and goes there to warn him.
Joe suffers further prejudice at the hands of openly hostile Colonel Crawford, pulling extra duty and all the less attractive assignments. When Joe and others who are married to Japanese are targeted for transfer back to the United States, Joe realizes that he will not be able to take Katsumi, who is now pregnant. Ace goes to General Webster and pleads Joe's case, asking that he be allowed to remain in Japan. When the General refuses on the grounds that he cannot allow an exception, Ace says that he will be in the same situation, since he intends to marry Hana-ogi. Eileen and her mother are present for the exchange, and Ace apologizes for hurting her. Eileen realizes Ace never loved her the way he loves Hana-ogi and leaves to see Nakamura.
Joe and Katsumi's home is raided up by the military police and Ace is taken into custody by General Webster, where he is confined to quarters. He is told that he will most likely be sent back to the United States and Hana-ogi will be sent to Tokyo. Joe goes AWOL, and two Military Police seek Ace's help to find Joe through his local connections so he can be sent back to the U.S. and not be reported missing, which could lead to charges ranging from deliberately missing a movement — a serious offense in wartime — all the way to desertion. Ace, accompanied by Captain Bailey, finds Joe and Katsumi who had secretly returned to their home and committed double suicide rather than be parted. Hana-ogi later arrives unnoticed and alone outside Joe and Katsumi's home. There, she opens a window and, still unseen, whispers a tearful "sayonara" to Joe, Katsumi, and Ace, although nobody hears her. Hana-ogi then leaves through the rear gate.
After exiting Joe's home, Ace and Bailey are attacked by Japanese holding anti-American signs. However, sympathetic Japanese neighbors intervene to help the Americans, resulting in widespread fighting in the street. Ace and Bailey escape during the scuffles.
The loss of Joe and Katsumi strengthens Ace's resolve to marry Hana-ogi, and Ace goes to the theater company to find her. There, he learns Hana-ogi has already left Kobe for Tokyo a week ahead of schedule. General Webster, believing the crisis with Ace is averted, apologizes for what happened to Joe and Katsumi and says that laws will soon be passed to allow interracial marriages in the United States.
Ace leaves Kobe and flies to Tokyo. He tracks down Hana-ogi at her new venue in a Tokyo theater and pleads with her again to become his wife. They leave the theater and Hana-ogi announces to the waiting Japanese and American reporters that they intend to wed. When a military newspaper reporter asks Ace how he will explain his marriage to the "big brass" as well as to the Japanese, Ace says, "Tell 'em we said, 'Sayonara.'"
Brando affected a nondescript American English for Gruver, despite the objections of director Logan, who did not think a Southern accent was appropriate for a general's son who was educated at West Point. Logan later admitted to the author and journalist Truman Capote about Brando, "I've never worked with such an exciting, inventive actor. So pliable. He takes direction beautifully, and yet he always has something to add. He's made up this Southern accent for the part; I never would have thought of it myself, but, well, it's exactly right – it's perfection." Ricardo Montalbán, born in Mexico to Spanish immigrants, plays a Japanese character in “yellowface” makeup. Montalbán modeled his performance on Seki Sano, a well-known Japanese acting teacher under whom he had trained.
Garner wrote in his memoirs that he actively lobbied to play his role, one of the few times in his career he did this. It had originally been cast with John Smith, but Garner succeeded in getting the part.
It was number one at the US box office for five consecutive weeks in 1958. It earned $10.5 million in theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada"All Time Domestic Champs", Variety, 6 January 1960 p 34 and $5 million overseas. Kinematograph Weekly said the film "fell heavily short of expectations" at the British box office.
| Academy Awards | Best Picture | William Goetz | |
| Best Director | Joshua Logan | ||
| Best Actor | Marlon Brando | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Red Buttons | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Miyoshi Umeki | ||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Paul Osborn | ||
| Best Art Direction | Ted Haworth, Robert Priestley | ||
| Best Cinematography | Ellsworth Fredricks | ||
| Best Film Editing | Arthur P. Schmidt, Philip W. Anderson | ||
| Best Sound | George Groves | ||
| British Academy Film Awards | Most Promising Newcomer to Film | Red Buttons | |
| David di Donatello Awards | Best Foreign Actor | Marlon Brando | |
| Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | Joshua Logan | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Motion Picture – Drama | ||
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama | Marlon Brando | ||
| Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Red Buttons | ||
| Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Miyoshi Umeki | ||
| Best Director – Motion Picture | Joshua Logan | ||
| Most Promising Newcomer – Male | James Garner | ||
| Laurel Awards | Top Drama | ||
| Top Male Supporting Performance | Red Buttons | ||
| Ricardo Montalbán | |||
| Top Music Composer | Franz Waxman | ||
| New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Film | ||
| Best Actor | Marlon Brando | ||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Best Written American Drama | Paul Osborn | |
The film is also recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
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