Sayonara (1957)

Set in the frosty tension of 1951, where American law sternly forbids Japanese immigrants, "Sayonara" takes us into the heart of a cultural battlefield. This is a world where love blooms amidst the barbed wires of prejudice, and Japanese wives of American military personnel find themselves barred from the Land of the Free. Enter our protagonists: US Air Force Airman Joe Kelly, stationed in Korea, and Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, the military's poster boy and the son of a four-star general. Defying the shackles of societal norms, Kelly dreams of a life with his Japanese girlfriend, Katsumi, a dream so potent he's ready to renounce his American citizenship. Upon being reassigned from the frontline to the military base in Kobe, Japan, Gruver, a staunch supporter of the military's opposition to marriages between American troops and Japanese women, finds his convictions challenged. Ignited by the fiery love stories of his comrades, including Captain Mike Bailey, who is entwined in a romance with a Japanese revue dancer, Gruver finds himself drawn to the enchanting lead dancer, Hana-ogi. As their connection deepens, Gruver's admiration for Hana-ogi surpasses his feelings for Eileen Webster, the daughter of the three-star general who anticipates their union. The tale unfolds as Gruver, Kelly, and Bailey navigate the turbulent waters of love, prejudice, and military protocols. They are faced with a relentless military, vehemently fighting to break apart their relationships, all while they grapple with their own biases and the cultural taboos of Japan. Amidst this turmoil, Eileen embarks on her own journey of understanding, embracing the Japanese culture they live in, and questioning the policies that seek to keep it at arm's length. "Sayonara" is a riveting exploration of love, loyalty, and conflict, where personal desires clash with societal dictates, and hearts are tested on the battleground of cultural divide.

Sayonara is a drama movie featuring Marlon Brando and directed by Joshua Logan.

Sayonara is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee and Tubi TV.