The Barefoot Contessa

Released Sep 29, 1954

2h 8m

Drama

List

100%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Washed-up film director Harry Dawes (Humphrey Bogart) gets a second chance at stardom when he discovers stunning peasant Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner) dancing in a nightclub in Madrid, Spain. Goaded by his producer, strong-arming Wall Street financier Kirk Edwards (Warren Stevens), Harry convinces her to screen test for, and then star in, his next big picture. But as Edwards' possessive nature and the realities of stardom weigh on Maria, she seeks a genuine lover with whom she can escape.

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

"The Barefoot Contessa" is perhaps the most elaborately structured Hollywood film since "Citizen Kane."

Jul 31, 2021

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

An imperfect film, but its excesses are as suggestive as its subtleties.

Mar 23, 2010

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Full of wit, wisdom, and caustic dialogue.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 12, 2023

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

There is enough witty dialogue and suave movie making in this over-subtle comedy-drama to make it worth attention, but writer-director Joseph L Mankiewicz doesn't seem to care enough about any of his characters...

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Christopher Machell

CineVue

At once a deeply satirical depiction of Hollywood and a sumptuous saga of the rise and fall of a star

Rated: 4/5

Apr 23, 2018

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Mankiewicz's bitter-sweet satire of Hollywood is extremely well acted by Bogart (witty), Avan Gardner (gorgeous), and Edmond O'Brien, who won the Supporting Oscar.

Rated: B+

Mar 25, 2012

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Audience Member

this movie was a lot talking, and not my favorite Joseph L. Mankewicz film. The twists of the 3rd act were interesting though

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

harwee h

Solid but I find Bogart annoying.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

X O

An absolutely extraordinary, beautiful, underrated film. My father recommended this film as a way to say he understands who I am, a,d what type of women I like. He was so right. Instinct/intuition tells you everything. :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

Full Review

Joseph B

Boring illogical soaper. No points of interest.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Granny S

Ava Gardner, Humphrey Bogart, and Rossano Brazzi bring star power to this intriguing story of Maria Vargas the main character. The breathtaking scenery of the movie along the Mediterranean is worth seeing. The script itself is a bit full of explanations and background stories that weigh it down at times. But the cinematography, quality acting, and plot twists keep our interest. The movie explores issues of a mysterious young beauty, Maria Vargas. We learn as the plot progresses that this revered beauty is a victim of childhood trauma that show up as unexplainable mysteries in her life. In post WWII America, 1954, topics of War trauma and family violence play out in sometimes subtle and surprising ways. The understatement of the issues discussed add power in one sense. We see people struggling to discuss the most painful aspects of life, the role that chance and kindness play in restoring sick souls, the role that ruthlessness, control, and violence play in tearing down people. St. Theresa of Avila, famous Spanish Nun and Saint was a discalced (barefoot) nun. That Maria Vargas likes to go barefoot resonates with the self sacrificial road that St. Theresa taught and practiced. Not a student of film, I found the performances strong and the ideas explored to be ones with which we continue to wrestle today.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Something happens in the second half which makes one feel as though a whole different movie was suddenly on display. I cannot really explain what it was, but people with "sense number 6" will get it. The director however kept up with the astounding work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Director

Humphrey Bogart

Harry Dawes

Ava Gardner

Maria Vargas

Edmond O'Brien

Oscar Muldoon

Marius Goring

Alberto Bravano

Rossano Brazzi

Count Vincenzo Torlato-Favrini

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The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Posing for a Statue

1:46

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - I'm Drunk

1:59

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Maria On Display

1:52

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Maria Had It

2:11

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - You Are Not a Woman

2:03

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - You're a Liar

2:14

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - I Hate Shoes

2:08

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - A Lot of Talent

2:20

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - What a Business

2:20

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Funeral for an Actress

1:49

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Synopsis

Washed-up film director Harry Dawes (Humphrey Bogart) gets a second chance at stardom when he discovers stunning peasant Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner) dancing in a nightclub in Madrid, Spain. Goaded by his producer, strong-arming Wall Street financier Kirk Edwards (Warren Stevens), Harry convinces her to screen test for, and then star in, his next big picture. But as Edwards' possessive nature and the realities of stardom weigh on Maria, she seeks a genuine lover with whom she can escape.

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Screenwriter: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Distributor: United Artists, Key Video, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1), 35mm

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