The Barefoot Contessa

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The Barefoot Contessa

Released Sep 29, 1954

2h 8m

Drama

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12 Reviews

71%

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2,500+ Ratings

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

The New Yorker

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

Jul 31, 2021

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

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

Mar 23, 2010

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Full of wit, wisdom, and caustic dialogue.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 12, 2023

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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

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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

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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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Leaburn O

It holds that evocative golden age of cinema feel. An epic but simple tale of impending tragedy with Bogart narrating. Enjoyed it but it is a bit trite and melodramatic. Watched on Amazon Prime.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

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Darrell S

Bogie and Ava Gardner. Two legends who make a really great film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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nick s

The script was sharp and the acting was excellent. However the plot was meandering and ultimately not that satisfying. It was hard to maintain interest throughout the runtime despite the great interactions. And the ending felt like it came out of nowhere.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

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Blobbo X

Jeopardy answer to: What is opposite of action movie? So many words - was author on bennies? But nothing can sink teethblobs into.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

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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

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harwee h

Solid but I find Bogart annoying.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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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

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Posing for a Statue

1:46

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - Maria On Display

1:52

The Barefoot Contessa: Official Clip - I'm Drunk

1:59

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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