Producer/director Joshua Logan's long-awaited filmization of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize winning musical South Pacific was not the classic that everyone hoped it would be, principally because of some curious creative choices made by the production personnel. Adapted from James A. Michener's best-selling novel Tales of the South Pacific, the film stars Mitzi Gaynor as WAVE officer Nellie Forbush, who while stationed overseas during World War II falls in love with wealthy French planter Emile De Becque (Rosanno ...
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Producer/director Joshua Logan's long-awaited filmization of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize winning musical South Pacific was not the classic that everyone hoped it would be, principally because of some curious creative choices made by the production personnel. Adapted from James A. Michener's best-selling novel Tales of the South Pacific, the film stars Mitzi Gaynor as WAVE officer Nellie Forbush, who while stationed overseas during World War II falls in love with wealthy French planter Emile De Becque (Rosanno Brazzi). The Navy would like DeBecque to help them in a reconnaissance mission against the Japanese, but he refuses; having run away from the outside world after killing a man in his home town, De Becque sees no reason to become involved in a war which he did not start and in which he has no interest. But when Nellie, her inbred bigotry aroused when she discovers that Emile has two mixed-race children, refuses his proposal of marriage, DeBecque, having nothing to lose, agrees to go on the mission. His partner in this venture is Lt. Joseph Cable (John Kerr), who like Nellie is a victim of prejudicial feelings; Cable has previously thrown away a chance at lasting happiness by refusing to marry Liat (France Nuyen), the dark-skinned daughter of Tokinese trader Bloody Mary (Juanita Hall). When Cable is killed and DeBecque is seemingly lost in battle, Nellie, realizing the stupidity of her racism, prays for Emile's safe return. The dramatic elements of South Pacific are offset by the low-comedy antics of "Big Dealer" seabee Luther Billis (Ray Walston). Outside of Walston and Hall, both repeating their stage characterizations, South Pacific suffers from a largely noncharismatic cast. Mitzi Gaynor never rises above cuteness in the difficult role of Nellie Forbush, while Rosanno Brazzi (whose singing is dubbed by Giorgio Tozzi) seems to be striking poses rather than acting as Emile DeBecque. These casting deficiencies might have been ignored had not South Pacific been laboring under an additional handicap: director Joshua Logan's decision to use colored filters in several key scenes, representing the emotions experienced by the actors. The constant color shift is more unsettling than attractive, drawing attention to Logan's technique and thereby taking the audience "out" of the picture. With all this going against it, however, South Pacific has much to be treasured. For one thing, all of Rodgers & Hammerstein's immortal songs--"Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali H'ai," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy," "Younger Than Springtime" etc.--are retained, and, as a bonus, a song cut from the original stage production, "My Girl Back Home," is revived herein. In addition, the film is a bonanza for movie buffs who enjoy playing "spot the bit player:" among the supporting-cast ranks are Tom McLaughlin, Ron Ely, Doug McClure, John Gabriel and James Stacy (rumors persist that Joan Fontaine shows up unbilled as a nurse, but we've yet to spot her). Though artistically disappointing, South Pacific ended up one of the biggest box-office gold mines of the 1950s. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Add this copy of South Pacific to cart. $1.27, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of South Pacific (Collector's Edition) to cart. $1.46, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2006.
Add this copy of South Pacific to cart. $2.08, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1958.
Add this copy of South Pacific to cart. $2.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Legacy.
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Add this copy of South Pacific: an Original Soundtrack Recording (1958 to cart. $2.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by RCA.
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Add this copy of South Pacific: an Original Soundtrack Recording (1958 to cart. $2.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Sony Legacy.
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Add this copy of South Pacific to cart. $2.59, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Legacy.
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Add this copy of South Pacific to cart. $2.59, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Legacy.
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Put the disc in and it said, "Region error. Please eject the disc. Playback is not authorized in your area." What the heck does that mean?! Never heard of such a thing! Please advise.
Janine T
Jul 31, 2010
A classic worthy of the name
I have lived with the music of this musical since I was 12 years old. The movie is fun, moving and still very timely with its theme of war and prejudice and the shortness of life and what makes it worth living. If you like vintage musicals that have kept their "watchability", South Pacific was one of the pioneer musicals that had a serious theme and great fun rolled in one!
barbietart
Jul 23, 2009
Musical delight
I think we all grew up with the tunes from this classical musical. Now see what the story line is that prompted such songs as "Bali Hai", Some Enchanted Evening", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta' My Hair" and the rest.
Wonderful setting on a Pacific island during WWII. The shooting war, for these sailors, marines, etc., hasn't quite begun. They are waiting to face the enemy and are sitting in a tropical paradise.
The base personnel have developed a relationship with the residents of the island but they are still prejudicial, in many ways. These people are not like the ones back home that they know. Should they allow themselves to fall in love? What about after the war? Can they take their new loves home? Alternatively, can they live in the south Pacific?
Watch & see. A thoroughly delightful musical with a great story. It's another time and another place for the characters & for the viewer.
Enjoy.
happysong
Jun 25, 2009
skillfull remastering
Although the movie is not without faults- it is overlong in parts and there is an overuse of colour filters the melodies beautifully played by Alfred Newman at 20th Century Fox shine through however. Gaynor and Brazzi have real chemistry in the leads and the transfer to DVD is first rate highlighting the quality of the location shooting. If only they had dispensed with those filters. This DVD version is good value as you have interesting extras.
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