Hawaii (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Based on James A. Michener's gargantuan novel, 'Hawaii' (directed by George Roy Hill) concentrates on 21 specific years; whereas the book spans centuries. Still, Michener's main point remains intact: the sanctity of the Hawaiian isles was shattered forever by the infiltration of the white man. Opening in 1820, when missionaries journeyed to Hawaii to convert the local 'savages' to Christianity, the movie stars Max von Sydow as Abner Hale, an imperious, humorless, fire-&-brimstone reverend from New England who arrives in the tropics with his compassionate bride, Jerusha (Julie Andrews), at his side; hoping to teach the locals about Jesus.
While Abner expects the natives to roll over & adapt to him and his missionary rulings, sweet, lovely Jerusha goes out of her way to understand & appreciate the Hawaiians. Rigid Abner, with the eventual support of the Hawaiian queen (Jocelyne LaGarde, plucked from Tahitian obscurity), pressures the peaceful Hawaiians to destroy their pagan idols, cover their breasts, & stop marrying their siblings. Abner is too close-minded {railing against the local's hedonistic tendencies}, reverts to wicked ways, and so, Jerusha eventually seeks comfort in the arms of her former lover, the dashing, impassioned sea captain, Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris). Some American sailors burn down Abner's church to protest his opposition to sex with the native women. And this kick-starts a steady stream of turmoil, tragedies, & a bittersweet finale at the end of the 3 hour run time.
'Hawaii' is one of those huge, old-fashioned epics, full of exotic vistas, stellar performances & casts of hundreds. I love the 'epic' genre. This film has it all. Shot in New England, Hawaii, Norway & Tahiti, and written by Dalton Trumbo, this film took several yrs. to get off the ground after director Fred Zinnemann stepped down right before filming. Hill came in, was briefly replaced by Arthur Hiller, & then returned to finish the complex, mammoth undertaking of 'Hawaii'. Despite the lush locales to ooh & aah at, and such spectacular highlights as the pagan ceremonies & an enormous typhoon that strikes ... the scene that probably lasts longest in the minds of audiences would be Jerusha's agonizing childbirth.
The varied cast brings to life an intriguing blend of well-meaning, but flawed characters. Swedish actor Max von Sydow (whose real-life sons play his on-screen son) portrays the stern Rev. Hale with real fervor. He commands the screen. Hot off of Mary Poppins & The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews is dramatically sound as the reverend's dutiful wife, Jerusha. Andrews' innate charms are intentionally subdued here to provide for a quiet heroine figure. I mentioned her visceral childbirth scene above, & she also gets a whopper of a speech near the end; finally giving her stern husband what-for.
Tahitian native Jocelyne LaGarde never acted before or after this film, yet nabbed an Academy Award nomination for her crucial role of Queen Malama. Richard Harris made Andrews' Jerusha - and audiences - swoon. Gene Hackman impresses as a doctor-missionary. Michael Constantine excels as a tough sailor who 'sees the light'. Pre-Archie Bunker's Carroll O'Connor plays Jerusha's father. Funny enough, Andrews' step-daughter from The Sound of Music, Heather Menzies (who played Louisa), is Andrews' younger sister in this film one year later. Award-winning costume designer, Dorothy Jeakins, is excellent as Rev. Hale's hardened mother. And Bette Midler is a blink-&-you'll-miss-her cameo aboard a ship. Great cast.
As is the case with most epics, the craftsmanship is off-the-charts. Russell Harlan's cinematography is staggeringly beautiful; how could it not be, given the locations? The art direction of the era is spot-on; ditto that for Dorothy Jeakins' period gowns & authentic native attire. The sound and visual effects team is superb; particularly during the storm sequence. And Elmer Bernstein's sweeping music score is fantastic. This film cost $15 mill to produce, but it was the 2nd highest money-maker of 1966. 7 Oscar nominations didn't hurt, either. Now, for me, there's too little story stretched over the 189 minutes. Good as it is, there is bloat. But overall, it's a quality film and, one of Julie Andrews {and her daughter, Emma's} favorite films that she did.
While Abner expects the natives to roll over & adapt to him and his missionary rulings, sweet, lovely Jerusha goes out of her way to understand & appreciate the Hawaiians. Rigid Abner, with the eventual support of the Hawaiian queen (Jocelyne LaGarde, plucked from Tahitian obscurity), pressures the peaceful Hawaiians to destroy their pagan idols, cover their breasts, & stop marrying their siblings. Abner is too close-minded {railing against the local's hedonistic tendencies}, reverts to wicked ways, and so, Jerusha eventually seeks comfort in the arms of her former lover, the dashing, impassioned sea captain, Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris). Some American sailors burn down Abner's church to protest his opposition to sex with the native women. And this kick-starts a steady stream of turmoil, tragedies, & a bittersweet finale at the end of the 3 hour run time.
'Hawaii' is one of those huge, old-fashioned epics, full of exotic vistas, stellar performances & casts of hundreds. I love the 'epic' genre. This film has it all. Shot in New England, Hawaii, Norway & Tahiti, and written by Dalton Trumbo, this film took several yrs. to get off the ground after director Fred Zinnemann stepped down right before filming. Hill came in, was briefly replaced by Arthur Hiller, & then returned to finish the complex, mammoth undertaking of 'Hawaii'. Despite the lush locales to ooh & aah at, and such spectacular highlights as the pagan ceremonies & an enormous typhoon that strikes ... the scene that probably lasts longest in the minds of audiences would be Jerusha's agonizing childbirth.
The varied cast brings to life an intriguing blend of well-meaning, but flawed characters. Swedish actor Max von Sydow (whose real-life sons play his on-screen son) portrays the stern Rev. Hale with real fervor. He commands the screen. Hot off of Mary Poppins & The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews is dramatically sound as the reverend's dutiful wife, Jerusha. Andrews' innate charms are intentionally subdued here to provide for a quiet heroine figure. I mentioned her visceral childbirth scene above, & she also gets a whopper of a speech near the end; finally giving her stern husband what-for.
Tahitian native Jocelyne LaGarde never acted before or after this film, yet nabbed an Academy Award nomination for her crucial role of Queen Malama. Richard Harris made Andrews' Jerusha - and audiences - swoon. Gene Hackman impresses as a doctor-missionary. Michael Constantine excels as a tough sailor who 'sees the light'. Pre-Archie Bunker's Carroll O'Connor plays Jerusha's father. Funny enough, Andrews' step-daughter from The Sound of Music, Heather Menzies (who played Louisa), is Andrews' younger sister in this film one year later. Award-winning costume designer, Dorothy Jeakins, is excellent as Rev. Hale's hardened mother. And Bette Midler is a blink-&-you'll-miss-her cameo aboard a ship. Great cast.
As is the case with most epics, the craftsmanship is off-the-charts. Russell Harlan's cinematography is staggeringly beautiful; how could it not be, given the locations? The art direction of the era is spot-on; ditto that for Dorothy Jeakins' period gowns & authentic native attire. The sound and visual effects team is superb; particularly during the storm sequence. And Elmer Bernstein's sweeping music score is fantastic. This film cost $15 mill to produce, but it was the 2nd highest money-maker of 1966. 7 Oscar nominations didn't hurt, either. Now, for me, there's too little story stretched over the 189 minutes. Good as it is, there is bloat. But overall, it's a quality film and, one of Julie Andrews {and her daughter, Emma's} favorite films that she did.