Barbarians At The Gate (1993) Review

In 1989, investigative journalists Bryan Burrough and John Helyar released ‘Barbarians At The Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco,’ considered by many to be one of the finest books about business ever written. Detailing CEO F. Ross Johnson’s attempts to buy out the rest of his shareholders after the failure of the new, smokeless Premier cigarette, the book is an engrossing, humorous peek into a cut-throat corporate world of greed and backstabbing. An instant bestseller moving at the pace of a spy-thriller, it is a fascinating true story that begged for screen treatment.

Consequently, in 1993, HBO released a TV movie adaptation. ‘Barbarians at the Gate,’ directed by Glenn Jordan, faithfully retells the events of Burrough and Helyar’s book, and is just as gripping as its source material. Larry Gelbart’s screenplay makes the arcane language of business easily comprehensible, while ensuring the narrative maintains tension and momentum. It is also a funny film full of irony, satirising the ostentation of the 1980’s and the rapaciousness of the money men of the time.

Moreover, the dialogue- often taken directly from the book which was, in turn, taken from interviews with the real-life players involved- is delightfully vulgar and witty. There are many hilarious lines throughout, which one will recall long after the credits have rolled; nearly everything uttered during the sequence involving the Premier cigarette comes immediately to mind. Furthermore, the self-made millionaire Johnson makes for a compelling central character- though one not without faults.

Johnson, although charismatic and likable, is essentially just as greedy as his rival, the calculated Henry Kravis, who is also trying to take control of the company. In some ways, he is worse, as he hides his ambition and avarice beneath good ‘ol boy charm, claiming to be a man of the people while flying his dog around the country in a private jet. He’s an interesting man of contradictions, whose attempts to turn a foul cigarette into a hit, and buy out RJR Nabisco, makes for an entertaining watch.

On the technical side of things, the cinematography is nothing to write home about, leaning towards the conventional, in terms of set-ups, framing and angles. However, this lack of flashy stylizations compounds the realism of the narrative, which could be seen as a boon. Meanwhile, Richard Gibbs’s overblown score is the musical equivalent of shoulder pads and spandex- so stereotypically 1980’s it sounds like it was written for a ‘Scarface’ rip-off. On the other hand, Linda Pearl’s production design is commendable, accurately recreating Johnson’s opulent world.

One of the most beloved actors of his generation, James Garner stars as Johnson, delivering a typically nuanced performance with his trademark ease. He never sets a foot wrong, making Johnson compelling despite his faults. Jonathan Pryce brings a cold detachment to the role of Kravis, which is chillingly effective, while Matt Clark shines as Johnson’s friend and ally Edward A. Horrigan Jr. Additionally, Peter Riegert and Joanna Cassidy both do fine work as Peter Cohen and Linda Robinson, Johnson’s business partners, while David Rasche nearly steals the show completely in the all-too-small part of Ted Forstmann.

In short, Glenn Jordan’s ‘Barbarians at the Gate’ is a masterful adaptation capturing the essence of its source material while providing a satirical look at the excesses of the 1980’s. Its relevance today, in an era still marked by corporate greed and financial manoeuvring, makes it a timeless piece worth watching. Well-written and strongly acted, it is a portrait of the brutal world of business that lingers in the mind like the smell of a Premier cigarette.