I love South Pacific Blu ray Mitzi Gaynor
I give this film 5 stars not because it's without fault, but because it manages to convey to the audience things they appreciate, and in fact justify in their minds why they watch movies in the first place. Sounds simple, but it is simply incredible how this recipe for success seems to be forgotten, or maybe it is just disdained as tripe for bumpkins. Well, hooray for us bumpkins.
This film shares a very important trait with "Sayonara" (with Marlon Brando and Red Buttons [two Oscars]); that is, it is an adaptation of a novel by James Michener where the screenplay is superior to the novel. This is not a slam against Michener. I avidly read "Tales of the South Pacific" and its sequel, the underappreciated "Return to Paradise." I enjoy both of these books very much -- they are very well crafted.
However, I would have to agree with those, including Michener himself, who describe him as a narrator, not a master of drama or romance. The way in which these screenplays amend his stories for film is very intelligently done.
Some points made by the detractors of this film are valid (but I disagree with the complaints about casting -- I think everyone, including John Kerr is just fine); but forget about the filters, and just enjoy the film. This film gives viewers some things to connect with. The love stories of this film are more interesting because of the theme of interracial romance. While youngsters seeing this film will probably wonder what's the big deal, this subject was still sensitive enough in 1957 to justify some not-too-subtle messages that open-mindedness is good and bigotry is bad. Anyway, the audience is clearly induced to be rooting for Nellie and Emile, and Joe Cable and Liat to end up together, and it's exactly this kind of prompting that tends to make viewers connect with and enjoy a movie.
Of course the main point of any musical is to entertain, and that it does with its songs and scenes. This is my second favorite musical, behind "My Fair Lady," which in my judgement is hands-down the greatest musical ever made. Most of the songs, words and music, in "South Pacific" are truly cleverly wrought -- the kind of stuff you like to have bouncing around in your head.
Each and every time I watch this film I am left charmed and delighted.
I give this film 5 stars not because it's without fault, but because it manages to convey to the audience things they appreciate, and in fact justify in their minds why they watch movies in the first place. Sounds simple, but it is simply incredible how this recipe for success seems to be forgotten, or maybe it is just disdained as tripe for bumpkins. Well, hooray for us bumpkins.
ReplyDeleteThis film shares a very important trait with "Sayonara" (with Marlon Brando and Red Buttons [two Oscars]); that is, it is an adaptation of a novel by James Michener where the screenplay is superior to the novel. This is not a slam against Michener. I avidly read "Tales of the South Pacific" and its sequel, the underappreciated "Return to Paradise." I enjoy both of these books very much -- they are very well crafted.
However, I would have to agree with those, including Michener himself, who describe him as a narrator, not a master of drama or romance. The way in which these screenplays amend his stories for film is very intelligently done.
Some points made by the detractors of this film are valid (but I disagree with the complaints about casting -- I think everyone, including John Kerr is just fine); but forget about the filters, and just enjoy the film. This film gives viewers some things to connect with. The love stories of this film are more interesting because of the theme of interracial romance. While youngsters seeing this film will probably wonder what's the big deal, this subject was still sensitive enough in 1957 to justify some not-too-subtle messages that open-mindedness is good and bigotry is bad. Anyway, the audience is clearly induced to be rooting for Nellie and Emile, and Joe Cable and Liat to end up together, and it's exactly this kind of prompting that tends to make viewers connect with and enjoy a movie.
Of course the main point of any musical is to entertain, and that it does with its songs and scenes. This is my second favorite musical, behind "My Fair Lady," which in my judgement is hands-down the greatest musical ever made. Most of the songs, words and music, in "South Pacific" are truly cleverly wrought -- the kind of stuff you like to have bouncing around in your head.
Each and every time I watch this film I am left charmed and delighted.
The theatrical cut on disk one looks AMAZING. I won't go off on the use of color filters or the other deficiencies of the film, the movie as a whole works and the performances are spot-on. Gaynor and Brazzi are excellent. The Road Show restoration on disk 2 is definitely worth checking out for a few minutes of extra footage here and there but overall the image is softer and less detailed. But the theatrical version on disk one is jaw dropping and well worth the price of the disk. Highly Recommended.
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