The Barefoot Contessa (1954): cast, story & where to watch
1954 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1954, The Barefoot Contessa is a drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, running about 128 minutes. “The world's most beautiful animal!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Has-been director Harry Dawes gets a new lease on his career when independently wealthy Kirk Edwards hires him to write and direct a film. They go to Madrid to find Maria Vargas, a dancer who will star in the film.
Who’s in it. The Barefoot Contessa stars Humphrey Bogart as Harry Dawes, Ava Gardner as Maria Vargas, Edmond O'Brien as Oscar Muldoon and Marius Goring as Alberto Bravano, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Barefoot Contessa has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and YouTube TV and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Barefoot Contessa page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Barefoot Contessa tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Barefoot Contessa (1954)?
- In US, The Barefoot Contessa is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Barefoot Contessa worth watching?
- The Barefoot Contessa holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Barefoot Contessa?
- The Barefoot Contessa stars Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, Marius Goring and Valentina Cortese.