The Barbarian

The Barbarian

Year: 1933

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Sam Wood

RomanceDramaAdventure

Hear Novarro sing love songs of the Nile! An Arab prince masquerades as a tour guide for rich women in order to enrich himself.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Barbarian yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Barbarian (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Barbarian (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

The setting reflects a period of Western travel and imperial influence in Egypt, where luxury, commerce, and traditional hierarchies intersect. Trains, caravans, and social rituals of the era frame the relationships and decisions of the characters. Romance, power, and risk unfold against a backdrop of colonial-era attitudes and adventure.

Location

Cairo, Egypt

The action is centered in Cairo, Egypt, moving from the bustling train station through the city to the iconic pyramids. The journey then extends into the surrounding desert, with caravans, oases, and desert landscapes shaping the romance and danger. The Nile region and royal imagery punctuate the plot as characters cross social boundaries in a foreign land.

🕌 Exotic locale 🏜️ Desert backdrop 🗺️ Cultural crossroads

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:43

Main Characters – The Barbarian (1933)

Meet the key characters of The Barbarian (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Diana Standing (Myrna Loy)

An English socialite with Egyptian roots who navigates romance and social expectations during a perilous journey through Cairo and the desert. Her attraction to Jamil clashes with her fiancé's scheming world, testing loyalty and independence. She evolves from a sheltered participant in society to a woman who embraces a dangerous, passionate alliance.

💃 Socialite ❤️ Romantic arc 🧭 Identity tension

Jamil El Shehab (Ramon Novarro)

A charming dragoman who uses his position to romance Diana and manipulate events. He later reveals himself as a prince, complicating his motives with honor, loyalty, and a fierce love. His dual identity drives much of the film's tension between desire and duty.

🕺 Charmer 💡 Manipulator 👑 Royal identity

Gerald Hume (Reginald Denny)

Diana's wealthy fiancé and business associate who orchestrates arrangements behind the scenes. He embodies the opportunistic side of colonial wealth and social ambition. His scheming creates the catalyst for the lovers' flight and the ensuing conflict.

💼 Elite 💔 Complicity 🧭 Romantic tension

Achmed Pasha (Edward Arnold)

An unscrupulous Egyptian business associate who manipulates Diana to secure a marriage and power. He appears as a formidable antagonist whose advances trigger the desert escape and confrontation. His ambitions set the plot's dangers in motion and test Diana's resolve.

🏛️ Power broker ⚖️ Antagonist 💎 Wealth

Mrs. Hume (Blanche Friderici)

Gerald's mother and potential mother-in-law who worries about social scandal and the reputation of the union. She embodies traditional concerns about status and propriety within the upper class. Her anxiety frames the stakes of marriage and alliance.

👵 Matriarch 🏛️ Status-driven 🤝 Social norms

Marthe (Marcelle Corday)

Diana's loyal maid who navigates the corridors of power and class alongside her mistress. While not a central figure, Marthe represents the domestic voice within a society of travel, opulence, and danger.

🧹 Servant 🗺️ Travel companion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:43

Major Themes – The Barbarian (1933)

Explore the central themes of The Barbarian (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Forbidden Romance

Diana is drawn to the charismatic Jamil despite her engagement to Gerald. The romance crosses social boundaries between a Western heiress and an Egyptian dragoman-turned-prince. The pursuit pits passion against duty, exposing vulnerability and desire in a world governed by class and arrangement. The film uses their tense relationship to critique colonial-era courtship and autonomy.

🏜️ Power & Captivity

Jamil's control over Diana evolves from charm to coercion as desert journeys intensify. Diana's agency is tested by deception, captivity, and the threat of violence during their escape. The film portrays how power structures—economic, political, and gendered—shape romantic choices. Survival hinges on trust, cunning, and a bold bid for freedom.

👑 Identity & Heritage

Diana's mixed Egyptian heritage complicates her self-image and loyalties. Jamil's revealed royal status reframes him from a humble guide to a prince, blending romance with political intrigue. The narrative interrogates belonging across cultures and social hierarchies, highlighting how lineage and identity influence love and acceptance. Ultimately, love transcends birthright without erasing it.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:43

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Barbarian

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Barbarian in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Barbarian is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Barbarian Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Barbarian, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Barbarian Summary

The Barbarian Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Barbarian with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Barbarian Timeline

More About The Barbarian

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Barbarian: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Barbarian

Explore More About Movie The Barbarian

The Barbarian (1933) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Barbarian (1933) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Barbarian (1933) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow