The Barbarian
The Barbarian

The Barbarian

1933Movie83 minEnglish

An Arab prince masquerades as a tour guide for rich women in order to enrich himself.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Director: Erle C. KentonGenres: Adventure, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A wealthy explorer travels to Turkey where he becomes embroiled in a love triangle with a local woman and a tribal chieftain. He finds himself torn between his modern life and the allure of a more primal existence. The film explores themes of cultural clash and forbidden romance amidst exotic locales.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Barbarian' received mixed reviews. While some critics praised its exotic settings and the romantic lead's performance, others found the plot predictable and the portrayal of Turkish culture stereotypical. It was a moderate box office success, benefiting from the popularity of its leading man and the trend of exotic adventure films.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visually striking exotic locations and romantic appeal.
  • Criticized for a formulaic plot and dated, orientalist portrayals.
  • Ramon Novarro's performance was often highlighted as a positive aspect.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Barbarian' is not widely documented on Google, but historical context suggests it was viewed as an entertaining if somewhat predictable adventure film of its era.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely on sound stages at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, with elaborate sets creating the illusion of exotic locations.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review