MovieChat Forums > Sayonara (1957) Discussion > Book vs movie (may include spoilers)

Book vs movie (may include spoilers)

posted 17 years ago by chryso-1
7 replies | jump to latest

I must have seen this movie so many times i've lost count, and I think it's just a beatuiful love story, romantic through and through and with great scenery and actors. I've read previous posts about it not being "real" etc, but to me reality isn't really that important, because it's just a movie that leaves you with a really warm feeling at the end, in spite of the underlying issues it depicts - the war, Japan vs the West, the armies treatment of the American-Asian couples etc. Having said that, I hadn't realised until now that it is based on a book, and I was wondering just how different the book is to the movie, especially the end. Do they not end up together in the novel?

[–] pattycleo 17 years ago

I haven't read the book, but I do remember hearing that the title "Sayonara" referred to the two of them saying their goodbyes at the end. So to answer your question, no they don't end up together in the book. :(

The meaning of “nothing” was “I never told you that I inadvertently killed your father."

[–] Sindaannuniel 17 years ago

I too noticed for the first time that the movie is based off a James Michener book.

Anyone read the book and can recommend it?

[–] sitboy23 16 years ago

I have read the book, and no they do not end up in together in the book. He is offered a promotion and leaves her and Japan. A bit say seeing as how she gave up her world for him but he leaves her.

I like the movie better. Usually, I dont like "happy" endings, but in this case I liked it. More than that, however, I LOVE the cinematography in this film. The music scenes are wondeful and the actors are great.

This is one of the few movies I liked BETTER than the book.

[–] lolli66 16 years ago

Also in the book, the Websters are much more hard-nosed than in the movie. Also, Lloyd's father makes an appearance in the book which I think would have been interesting in the movie. Nakamura is not in the book and much less of the Japanese theater stuff. Lots of other details but mainly the ending is different. I also prefer the movie to the book.

"You think I was telling you the truth? Maybe...maybe."

[–] DonCimini 16 years ago

She leaves him and goes to Tokyo and writes him a letter saying they can't be together. She doesn't "give up her world for him but he leaves her" he gets the letter from General Webster stating that she had left and she says Sayonara to him in the letter and he says Sayonara to all things in Japan and then goes back to America to a promotion. I think it was more her choosing to not be married and him realizing it wouldn't have worked out.

[–] liscarkat (18589) 3 years ago

SPOILERS (if you intend to read the novel):

In the novel, Nakamura, the kabuki actor (Ricardo Montalban) does not exist. Joe Kelly is only nineteen years old. The relationship between Gruver and Hana-Ogi is much more developed. Joe shoots himself in the head, after which Katsumi stabs herself through the neck with a knife. In the end, Gruver and Hana-Ogi do not decide to risk everything for love and drive off together. The last time he sees her is from a distance on the street. They never get to say Sayonara face-to-face. Under relentless pressure from her theater handlers and his Air Force superiors, she leaves for Tokyo and he goes back to the U.S. and a promotion in rank.

The novel's end is harsh and heartbreaking. I find it hard to accept that Gruver would have given up without more of an attempt to at least see Hana-Ogi, discuss things, and properly say goodbye, if it came to that. But he just accepts the note she wrote to him under duress, and walks away forever. Not me! But I'm not Gruver.

[–] Ranb (9779) 3 years ago

I read the book also. Good review.