Barbarosa (1982) User Reviews

Intertwining Family Feuds

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 17 October 2007]

The title role of Barbarosa is played by Willie Nelson and he's a former Texas Ranger turned outlaw who's on the run from his various crimes and from his in-laws who don't like him very much. They resent this Anglo marrying into their family and family patriarch Gilbert Roland got his leg shot off while trying to break up that marriage. He's lost several other family members in trying to kill Nelson to avenge that.

But Nelson picks up Gary Busey a farm kid on the run from a feud himself because he accidentally killed his brother-in-law. Busey takes up with Nelson and his outlaw ways and the two become an amiable pair.

Judging by the other reviewers Barbarosa seems to have a bit of a following. I wouldn't call it great by any means, still it's certainly entertaining enough for the discriminating western fans.

Barbarosa's significance to me is that it is the farewell performance of Gilbert Roland whose career went back six decades into the silent era when he was touted as a would be Valentino successor. His career never quite fit that mold, but he was always a favorite of mine. The part as the family patriarch is not the usual carefree, but tough Gilbert that we usually see. He's an understandably bitter man in this film and it was a good performance to go out on.

Western fans won't mind this one and Nelson and Busey have a nice chemistry between them.

Two gunfighters, Nelson and Busey, constantly on the run, unite forces against their pursuers

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 30 March 2009]

A legendary outlaw(Willie Nelson) join forces with a youngest(Gary Busey) who converts his protégé. One was a legend the other would become one, both are usually on the lam and pursued by vengeful men caused for family blood feud carried out by Don Braulio (Gilbert Roland).

This gentle western contains action-Western, adventures, pursuits and brief touch of comedy about the enjoyable relationship between master and pupil. Most of the action of this modest Western takes place on breathtaking outdoors similarly to marvelous landscapes of the majestic John Ford .Packs a light touch in the wake of ¨Paul Newman- Robert Redford's Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid¨ adding a little bit of violence.There are some good action scenes that can fit in the previous film.The straightforward screenplay and unglamorous production give a true feeling of the Old West set in Texas. The performances by outcast, free-spirited Willie Nelson and Gary Busey do bring pleasure. Nelson shows the many sides of his spirited character.Australian director Fred Schepisi has flavorfully directed a nice and interesting Western.His greatest hits took place in the 80s such as proved in ¨Iceman,Plenty,Roxanne,Cry in the dark¨¨and of course ¨Barbarosa¨.For sheer spirit-lifting entertainment you can't do better that watching this picture.

Featured a Surprisingly Good Performance by Willie Nelson

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 23 June 2021]

After accidentally killing his brother-in-law in a fight a young farmer by the name of "Kurt Westover" (Gary Busey) rides away from his small German immigrant village in Texas and heads for the Mexican border in an effort to escape the vengeance of his father-in-law "Herman Pahmeyer" (George Voskovec) and his other two sons "Otto Pahmeyer" (Kai Wulff) and "Floyd Pahmeyer" (Wolf Muser). However, not being used to the life of a fugitive, Kurt soon finds himself out of his element and it's then that he meets a notorious outlaw by the name of "Barbarosa" (Willie Nelson) who reluctantly takes him under his wing and teaches him how to survive against both nature and ruthless people in general. It's also during this time that it's revealed that Barbarosa has met a similar situation with his father-in-law "Don Braulio Zavala" (Gilbert Roland) who has also sent family members after him to avenge the murder of two of his sons as well. But what neither Don Braulio nor Herman Pahmeyer realize is that-based on the mutual support of their two intended targets--gaining their revenge is going to be even more difficult from that point on. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a surprisingly better film than I initially realized due in large part to the acting of Willie Nelson who seemed quite suitable for his specific role. Admittedly, a couple of the scenes could have used a bit more substance here and there but all things considered I found this to be an enjoyable film for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Gary Busey walks away with this one...

[doghouse-8 · 6/10 · 29 August 2001]

This films drifts along through some absolutely gorgeous western scenery. The cinematography is beautifully done, and is one of the finer points of this movie. The storyline is pretty episodic, and many plot points are glossed over without much explanation. Willie Nelson (Barbarosa) has some good scenes, along with Gilbert Roland who plays his revengeful father-in-law, but Gary Busey steals the show as Carl, the hard luck "farmboy". It's not the greatest movie ever made, but I enjoyed watching it......more like a fable than a western. 6/10

"He is the devil on Earth."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 19 August 2021]

Maybe it's just me, but Willie Nelson looks just about as old in this thirty year old movie as he does now. He's here in an unlikely team up with Gary Busey, both on the run as saddle tramps from different factions who want their hide. In Karl Westover's (Busey) case, a pair of brothers are tracking him for the death of another sibling, although it wasn't intentional, but dead is dead. Barbarosa (Nelson) never got the blessing of his Mexican father-in-law (Gilbert Roland) for marrying the man's daughter, and finds himself on the outs with the Savalas clan once again after a self defense killing of Don Braulio's son Luis. The odd duo try to avoid trouble by staying one step ahead of their enemies, but that doesn't always work out with results that lead to more mayhem and death.

Willie Nelson made a fair handful of Westerns over the years; my favorite of the ones I've seen so far is probably the 1999 TV movie "The Long Kill", in which he appears with fellow country singer Kris Kristofferson with a very brief appearance by Waylon Jennings. It doesn't rate as highly with IMDb viewers but has only been rated by about a third as many as this one. "The Red Headed Stranger" is probably the best known and scores higher, but I thought that story was a mess.

Not all goes well for Willie's character in this story. After teaching a few tricks of the outlaw trade to his farm boy partner Karl, he finds himself on the receiving end of a knife wielded by Savalas son Eduardo (Danny De La Paz), and ruefully declares "They killed me this time". However Karl doesn't allow the family to rejoice too long over their apparent victory, and takes on the guise of the feared Barbarosa to keep the legend alive.

Barbarosa

[Oliver-50 · 6/10 · 1 September 2006]

There is something genuinely sweet and innocent about Willie Nelson – even though he wasn't even fifty yet while filming Barbarosa he already has the worn, tough, aged face of a man twenty years older than he, and yet he has the eyes of a puppy dog. He is the perfect man to play the legendary thief Barbarosa, a man who is feared by many but whom the audience must like immediately. Gary Busey playing the farm boy Carl seems a little too old for this role (he was pushing late 30's) but is terrific as well.

Barbarosa is a light, easy-going film, with some occasional moments of violence. That's really the best praise aside from the actors that I can give it. It's obvious where the film is headed once the two protagonists meet up; every step of the movie has been mapped out. Luckily the film only runs 90 minutes so it's never dragged out. Quite the opposite; Barbarosa tends to dabble in so many little thoughts that they all seem meshed together.

Part of the film wants to have that mysticism about Barbarosa, that perhaps he is a ghost who cannot be killed, but the film never plays with it enough. The Spaniards all know of the the legend that they whisper his name with eyes wide as he rides by…and yet nobody in Carl's town mentions Barbarosa once. Barbarosa gets shot by a group of Spaniards who are out looking for him and Carl is the one who has to bury him. It's not surprise when Barbarosa rises from the grave, but even Carl isn't all that shocked. Instead of a 'Wow, you really are invincible!' reaction, we get a 'Oh that's good, you're OK.' Maybe that's the point – that Carl accepts Barbarosa as a person, not a fable or a legend. My problem is that Carl or his town never heard of this man before Carl meets up with him…why not? They're only a few days away apparently – does Barbarosa not like that part of the country – do his people never leave town? Barbarosa is a lot of back-story and not enough of a friendship tale. The scenes with Barbarosa teaching Carl are trite and unbelievable. Carl seems to know too much too soon about being out in the wild.

Barbarosa is never exciting enough to be an adventure film and there aren't enough calmer moments for the film to develop the friendship between these characters. Instead of learning about the outlaws, each scene is about them being hunted or hated. You would think these characters would have a great deal to talk about! It's not until the very last bit of the film that we learn why Barbarosa became who he was, and it's no big surprise.

The very end of Barbarosa should have worked – it's a obvious gimmick that's tried and true, but the friendship hasn't been solidified like it should and so the ending falls flat. Barbarosa isn't a bad movie, it's that so much of the movie is like the ending - it's a nice try, but it never hits the bullseye.

**1/2 out of ****

Most Boring Western Ever

[stefan899 · 1/10 · 17 October 2001]

As a western, this movie was so dull and tedious. It has none of the charisma of Young Guns nor the adventure of the Good, Bad and Ugly. There were no gunfire duals, in fact hardly any guns fired at all. What little action there was just showed people falling down after a few gun shots fired. No blood no wounds. Willie Nelson looked too old and too tired for his role. He looked nothing like the supposed "menacing and bloodthirsty" Barbarosa. My vote a 1 out of 10.

22 Years LATER I find out.....

[John Jennings · 10/10 · 12 July 2004]

Back when this film came out (1982), a friend told me it was no good, Willie Nelson can't act, blah, blah, blah. I took that at face value, and blew the film off. Well, 22 years later, 'Barbarosa' is on cable on American Movie Classics on a hot July afternoon, there isn't nothing' else on, so I say, okay, I'll give it fifteen minutes to get my attention.

Well, I gotta say, 'Barbarosa just BLEW ME AWAY!

I am Texan born and bred, and have done a fair amount of inquiry into old Texas lore, and this film is just SO RIGHT in so many details. In recent films like 'Cold Mountain', 'Open Range', and 'The Missing', it is much in vogue to get the 19th century period details exactly right. Well, 'Barbrosa' knocked that ball out of the park 22 years ago!

The basic feel of the old Texas homesteads and the horse race and barbecue, they still existed much like that out in West Texas when I was a kid.

The basic plot line is about two converging family blood feuds, one Spanish, the other German American, that is so TOTALLY authentic for this period! Also, the Big Bend scenics are superb!

While some may question Willie's talent for treading the boards, he has no problemo playing himself, and doesn't miss a beat. Gary Busey is one of my favorite actors, despite a habit of making tons of low budget el crappo films. He is at the top of his game in 'Barbarosa'.

While the film does have it's quirky moments, it is basically believable, and some of those old-timers were indeed quirky.

(Warning! As for eating armadillos, don't try this at home! They CAN carry leprosy.) My only beef is that the musical score didn't always seem to match the dramatic action, the music is wry and whimsical at the wrong time, possibly aping some spaghetti Western, but is fine when it sticks to Spanish guitar.

Some have labeled 'Barbarosa' a spaghetti Western. I don't agree, though it may seem so in the historical sequence of film-making. This was a successful attempt to make an authentically period Texas border film, by folks who knew what they are doing.

Some find the gunplay subdued and 'unrealistic', but 'Barbarosa' rightly shows the reality of old west killing where setting up the bushwhack and sniffing the ambush were far more decisive than actually pulling of the trigger.

In the old man's tale, you learn that Barbarosa was originally a Texas Ranger, who were often called los diablo's (the devils) by border Mexicans. This was a REAL legend, indeed a reality, down on the border.

acting duo functional

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 12 July 2015]

Karl Westover (Gary Busey) is a runaway Texas farm boy. His brothers want to bring him back but he follows bandit Barbarosa (Willie Nelson) instead. He is conflicted about robbing the poor. A Mexican bandit kills his brothers and shoots Barbarosa. Barbarosa survives and the duo escape with gold. However Karl and Barbarosa are both hunted men.

Willie Nelson lacks the acting power to be a feared bandit and Gary Busey's character is way too stupid. It's not cute and funny naivety. It's annoying stupid. I wonder if throwing away the gold is suppose to be comical. It's not bad as a desolate desert western but I want more tension. It moves a bit too slow.

The Red Headed one was never stranger (or better)

[Iammymothersdaughter2 · 9/10 · 11 September 2001]

From the quirky opening scenes in this film (a photographer, a dead guy propped up in a pine box & various family members posing w/same)you are taken to an intriguing and rather unsettling place. The cinematography in the film suggests one of those cool(albeit weird) 'spaghetti westerns'. The director's vision comes through, chillingly well at times all throughout this film.

Willie Nelson's performance is, well what can you say except he is his consummate Willie-ness and in this film it works particularly well. Gary Busey's interpretation of his role as Karl is understated and approaches absolute perfection. The remainder of the cast turn in very respectable performances as well. This is another one of those films that you really need to watch several times to "get" the full effect. There are some subtle and not-so-subtle plot twists and themes that are really engrossing and entertaining to watch for. The one and only negative I found with this movie is a personal distaste for the (over)use of the expletive 'G.D.' - it's totally unnecessary and my Southern Baptist ears were ringing by the end of the film. Overall though this is one awesome film, and 'G.D.' notwithstanding, I've worn my copy just about out. It is most definitely worth looking for.

Strange western

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 1 December 2001]

The second half was an improvement over the first, but I never really could get into the movie. It bounced around too much, taking too long to give the viewer a grasp of what was going on. The Big Bend country was spectacular, but the film was an also ran.

Good western

[dworldeater · 7/10 · 17 January 2022]

Barbarosa is a well made, nicely shot and directed 80's western. Willie Nelson is Barbarosa, a notorious outlaw that ends up teaming up with a farm boy that accidentally killed someone. (Gary Busy) Together these two commit robberies across the frontier. Willie Nelson gives a great performance and has excellent screen presence. Gary Busy gives a good early performance too. Barbarosa is a solid western and a good find on Tubi.

Good Shot

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 17 November 2022]

Some grotesque and absurd moments and ideas, some weird characters, a fine production and a never boring story line make Barbarosa a fine watch for those who want a Western movie on their plate. Director Fred Schepisi got a couple of movies in his oeuvre that all are in their own way rather special - Iceman, Roxanne, Evil Angels or I. Q., even if you don't like one of those movies, one must admit that every single one of them is special in its own way. Barbarosa is no exception here - it reminds me fondly of some of the better Italo Western movies, for sure not on the same level as the masterpieces by Mr. Leone, but within the range of vision. So if you want to watch some dirty guys on the hunt and being hunted, all spiced up with a good shot of humor, Barbarosa may be just the right choice for you.

Where is the original cut of this movie?

[GEJKRS · 8/10 · 7 June 2005]

The first time I saw this movie it had a scene in it where Don Brajilo berates the returning Eduardo for killing Barbarosa and explains that the feud with Barbarosa was his way of deliberately pumping up the family to make something of itself, and asks Eduardo what he will do to keep the family going when it is his turn to be patrone. Am I the only one who ever saw this cut? It makes the rest of the movie make sense. Otherwise why does Don Bralijo make such an terrible attack on his adoptive son and new son-in-law, Barbarosa? Why does Eduardo cry out "Barbarosa" at the celebration, when he knows that Barbarosa is dead---to keep the legend alive. I figure the censorship board cut it and I'm afraid there isn't a whole copy left. I didn't imagine this!

One of the best films no one ever saw.

[quinletc · 9/10 · 7 September 2005]

This obscure Western was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It was a box office sleeper, but with the advent of HBO, it achieved a cult following - at one point it was the most-requested movie on HBO. While this must mean that a large number of people watched the movie, everyone I know who has seen it saw it on my TV.

Willie Nelson, not someone I think of as an actor, is excellent. Gary Busey, in the height of his coke-head days, turns in another wonderful performance. Truth be told, all of the actors are perfect. The story is different, as the previous reviewer pointed out, from all the other Westerns, and the cinematography is unbelievable.

Definitely a movie to rent or buy.

A Great Western and an Examination of Myth

[ccbc · 9/10 · 29 April 2004]

Barbarosa is one of the best westerns ever made. The subject here is myth and the people who become mythic heroes. Barbarosa is, on the one hand, a legendary bandit and, on the other, an ordinary Texan who steals for a living: "Cattle, horses...Anything except sheep. You couldn't give me one of those wooly bastards." A young man on the run becomes Barbarosa's companion, then his acolyte. Both men are looking for a place in the world and the role they find is that of outlaw hero, players in a mythic drama that gives them meaning. The myth is that of the Outlaw Lover ( as in Hughes' The Outlaw or Brando's One-Eyed Jacks ) and both Nelson and Busey play their roles to perfection. The directing is excellent and the dialogue nigh perfect -- a great western! A swell movie!

A Western with an original storyline

[bigsix · 9/10 · 27 February 2004]

We've have seen all of the formula Westerns; evil cattle baron, reformed gunslinger, alcoholic sheriff,damsel in distress, kind but shrewd gambler. It goes on and on. How about real history-like the way Texas was in the 19th century. It was a center of lawlessness and the golden rule, "them that has the gold makes the rules" more interesting than any screen writer could imagine. How about this? Gary Busey playing a second generation German American farm boy being pursued by Old World family members to avenge a death. Ironically, he teams up with Willie Nelson to escape his executioners only to find that Willy is being pursued by Mexicans who call him "Barbarosa".

Busey is excellent as the farm boy and Nelson just plays himself in this unique Western that appears to utilize great scenery to include authentic 19th century farmhouses and a great plot. Gilbert Roland, in a classic supporting role, plays the elder of the Mexicans who utilizes his respect in the Mexican community to whip up hatred towards "Barbarosa".

This acknowledges that Texas, like the rest of the U.S., was formed and shaped by many ethnic groups. A great movie and entertainment.

Wonderful, underrated.

[tbyron · 8/10 · 31 March 2004]

I've seen this movie several times over the years, since it first came out on VHS. All of the people in and behind this movie should do more movies like this, again...Schepisi has the confidence to let this story tell itself at its in own pace. Although the plot may seem to skip over key details, I really feel that Schepisi was only trusting in the audience's intelligence and ability to piece the puzzle together. The way he presents the different approaches of the families' blood rivalries is particularly subtle . Busey is amazingly lively. Nelson and Roland each have great screen presences, are good throughout, but particularly in their one scene together. I enjoy this movie everytime I see it.

One of the greatest!

[ragreen259 · 9/10 · 5 January 2006]

First, I have to say, the very first person to review this movie on IMDb apparently is only attracted to violence in movies, and doesn't want to try to actually see the story line. More explosions! More dead people, and they need to be literally blown apart! Death! Fire! Without it, all movies suck! I notice that everyone else pretty much says the exact opposite. Odd, how at a later date, every review has an "unhelpful" flag next to it.

The story woven in Barbarosa is an excellent one, and no one could've pulled off the title role except Willie. The eventual transformation of Karl, from naive farm boy on the run into Barbarosa himself, is astonishing, everything from the way he looks to the way he sounds. Rancho life is authentically depicted, as is the West Texas farm life of the period... and the "eye for an eye" mentality of the people involved, and it's tragic consequences is a lesson hidden away in the storyline, almost as an afterthought. The photography is incredible, and at times the music is is almost overwhelming.

"...you ain't got enough ass in your britches to kill Barbarosa..."

See it.

A great western

[MdniteCruiser · 10/10 · 5 May 2003]

I have been an avid watcher of the western genre since I was a kid. I grew up watching Roy Rogers, Zorro, and the Lone Ranger on TV and watching John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Clint Eastwood in the theaters. A lot of westerns end up being remakes of previous outings, so when someone comes up with something original, I take notice. This is one such movie and it is one of my all time favorites.

While Willie Nelson will never get an Oscar for acting, he plays himself brilliantly ... and he's perfect for this part. And Gary Busey does a fine job playing a farm boy turned outlaw. Their relationship grows with each scene and draws you into it until you are emotionally connected with them both.

This movie is definitely not for the folks who want non-stop action with guns blazing from the opening scene until the final credits, but if you like a slower paced movie that takes it's time building it's characters and drawing you into their lives, this movie is for you.

How legends are made.

[strickd · 9/10 · 16 June 2002]

This movie was apparently never released in theaters. Not sure why. It is in my top 100 westerns. I watch it every year or so, and see something new every time. Willie Nelson is appropriately understated. Busey is perfect for his role.

Wonderful

[bastillee · 10/10 · 13 August 2004]

To my mind, this is the best western ever made. Willie Nelson and Gary Busey were born to play these parts. I have always loved Willie Nelson's music, and now there is another side of him that I can admire. As for Busey, I will forever love him just for having made this film. There is a sadness to the film but the ending is so uplifting. It is clear that the Zavalas need Barbarosa as much as he needs them. I saw Barbarosa during its original release and have been in love with it ever since. Even though I have Barbarosa on tape, I watch this movie whenever it is on TV. The soundtrack is fabulous and I wish it were available in the stores. Thumbs up for Barbarosa!

Extra scenes

[radnar123 · 10/10 · 11 September 2006]

Has anyone but my wife and myself seen this film with at least one or more extra scenes. When Eduardo returns home and tells Don Braulio that Barbarosa is dead, the Don gets up and slaps Eduardo and yells at him. This scene, which I saw maybe twice but probably only once, just makes so much more sense to me than the normal one that it blows my mind that it was cut. Please someone tell me that I'm not crazy that the scene really did exist and why only the cut version is shown. By the way, in my opinion this is not only one of the finest westerns that I have ever seen, but one of the best movies of all time. I am currently a projectionist and I have seen many a film. I also used to be a counselor at a facility for youthful offenders and used many lines of dialog from Barbarosa to help my residents get over some problems they were having. Also simply plot elements. The film is a classic and deserves much more recognition than it has had. "If you're waiting on me, you're wastin time."

8 for the unedited version, not the junk MGM marketed

[geeoff1 · 8/10 · 17 July 2019]

Radnar123, you are correct. What you described in your inquiring review is correct. That was the original, unedited version that MGM, to my knowledge, never released for sale. They only sold the version missing that scene you described, the scene that made the entire movie make sense and contained the director's vision, the brilliantly built in message.

This senseless, cut and nearly valueless version is also all that I can find anywhere. Online, any streaming source, everywhere I've looked, the version we want to see cannot be found. It's as if the studio realized there was a bit in intelligence to the motion picture, said 'we can't have that', and removed it from the face of the Earth. And, it's a damned shame.

BABAROSA!!!!!

[johnburns-76649 · 10/10 · 11 December 2018]

I will never understand, for the life of me, how in the world this film slipped under the radar of truly great classic films. As a cinematic achievement it transcends the norms of great cinematography, great artistic presentation, and musical score and I haven't even begun to praise the amazing actors or the story line itself. Gary Busey and Willie Nelson both turned in Oscar winning performances but everyone, no matter how small their bit part; turned in stellar performances. The mark of a truly great story is that it becomes a legend because as far fetched as it might seem we somehow want to believe that the legend is true - therefore the movie dispels disbelief. Take my word for it - this flick is one that you can watch today and watch again a week later because it is simply that satisfying. BRAVO