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Poster for Major Barbara

Major Barbara

1941 · 2h 1m · APPROVED Comedy
Directed by Gabriel Pascal

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Overview

Idealistic young Barbara is the daughter of rich weapons manufacturer Andrew Undershaft. She rebels against her estranged father by joining the Salvation Army. Wooed by professor-turned-preacher Adolphus Cusins, Barbara eventually grows disillusioned with her causes and begins to see things from her father's perspective.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
86%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Adapted from an old Shaw play, circa 1905, it still carries the lightning thrusts of Shavian caustic satire at any and all levels.

Variety Staff, Variety
Rotten

There is plenty to relish, notably Newton and Morley hamming it up (as, respectively, the rumbustious Bill Walker and the overbearing tycoon), and Deborah Kerr in her debut; but it does tend to just sit there.

Tom Charity, Time Out
Fresh

To call it a manifest triumph would be arrant stinginess with words.

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fresh

Though a bit slow to start and overlong (GBS added 18 minutes to the screenplay), this is still an enthusiastic and intelligent rendering of the wonderful Shavian wit and sense of the ridiculous.

Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Fresh

The result is a cinema treat.

TIME Magazine

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