Pacific Overtures (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 9
Released in 1976, Pacific Overtures is a music film directed by Marty Pasetta, running about 140 minutes. “Stephen Sondheim's kabuki retelling of the opening of Japan to the West.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Pacific Overtures is a musical written by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman. The show is set in Japan beginning in 1853 and follows the difficult westernization of Japan, told from the point of view of the Japanese. In particular, the story focuses on the lives of two friends caught in the change. The original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures in 1976 was staged in Kabuki style, with men playing women's parts and set changes made in full view of the audience by black-clad stagehands. It opened to mixed reviews and closed after six months, despite being nominated for ten Tony Awards. Set in 1853 Japan, Pacific Overtures follows the Westernization of Japan, mainly through the story of Kayama, a samurai, and Manjiro, a fisherman. The lives of both men are radically changed by the coming of American ships to Japan.
Who’s in it. Pacific Overtures stars Mako as Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble, Soon-Tek Oh as Tamate/Samurai/Storyteller/Swordsman, Yuki Shimoda as Abe, First Councillor and Isao Sato as Kayama, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 9.0/10, Pacific Overtures sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Pacific Overtures page.
If you liked it. Fans of Pacific Overtures tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Pacific Overtures (1976)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Pacific Overtures change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Pacific Overtures worth watching?
- Pacific Overtures holds an audience score of 9.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy music. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Pacific Overtures?
- Pacific Overtures stars Mako, Soon-Tek Oh, Yuki Shimoda, Isao Sato and Sab Shimono.
- When was Pacific Overtures released?
- Pacific Overtures was released in 1976, with a runtime of about 140 minutes.